07-04-2025
Maui County officials to get significant pay raises starting July 1
WAILUKU, Hawaii (KHON2) — Several Maui County officials will see decent pay raises starting July 1.
The county salary commission voted on the salary increases for elected officials, public safety officials, appointed directors and deputy directors during its March meeting.
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One of the biggest salary boosts was an 89% increase in pay for the Managing Director position, going from an annual salary of $172,154 to $325,104.
The Maui Fire Chief and Maui Police Chief would both see a 30% pay increase from $183,889 to $239,043.
The Mayor job would see a 32% pay raise from $159,578 to $211,119.
And Council Chair would get a 23% boost from $86,336 to $106,367–while council members receive a 26% increase from $80,299 to $101,302.
Most department directors would be paid $192,458 and most deputy directors would earn $173,212.
The salary numbers came from an outside consultant which was used to analyze and come up with salaries comparable to places on the mainland that have similar populations, income, and government employees like Maui a February 14 salary commission hearing, one of the consultants explained the different salary scenarios and ranges from its Classification and Compensation Study. The consultant, MGT, also interviewed current county employees.
'We did hear that with interviews with employees that was one of the primary themes we heard: the cost of living for their position, and when we looked at the salaries, they were at or below the 50th percentile,' explained MGT's Director of Human Capital, Rachel Skaggs.
That means 50% of similar counties are paying more than Maui County employees, and 50% of counties pay less for seemingly similar jobs elsewhere on the continent.
Based on the study, the commission approved increasing compensation at the 75th percentile.
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'What you're recommending is that we consider using a higher percentile from a philosophical standpoint to either capture some of the cost of living gap to recruit and retain more employees?' Acting Maui County Salary Commission Chair Grant Nakama asked Skaggs, to her confirmation.
The Maui County Council does not get a vote on the commissions proposed increases, and it is up to the salary commission to determine the salaries of elected officials and appointed directors and deputy directors of all the departments of the county.
Council Chair Alice Lee sent in testimony supporting the pay increases.
'We have to emphasize, and especially in this climate these days, it's really hard to get good, qualified people to work here because the cost of living is so high,' she said by phone on April 6.
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She added in the testimony that salaries should keep up with inflation and basic living expenses, noting the state commission on salaries proposing a 64% increase for state senators and representatives.
Acting Chair Nakama also brought up the Lahaina fire and the long road ahead.
'I think we need the most qualified people leading the county government as we go down this road,' he said, while noting it could take five to 10 years.
The salary commission liked the study and said they would use it as a guidebook in the future.
'The county was telling us, and it's no secret to the world, that they were having trouble recruiting based on salaries they already had, so this will allow us to make smarter decisions moving forward,' said one of the salary commissioners.
The next salary commission meeting is on April 11, where they will discuss the salaries for managing director and the mayor.
The new salaries will take effect on July 1, 2025.
For comparison on other elected officials and directors pay, click here.
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