Kate Blystone takes over a department reeling with low morale, a backlog of permits, a staffing shortage and other issues while dealing with the fire recovery.

County council members want the Bissen administration to take advantage of the federal money before it’s too late.

The legislation will make it possible for homeowners to get paid to build accessory dwelling units on their properties.

Most of the commercial businesses have yet to submit a right-of-entry application to the county, and hundreds of forms turned in by residents were incomplete.

The mayor reiterated his promise to only use the location on a temporary basis.

The Bissen administration won’t have more precise figures until at least next month, but county officials expect a rosier outlook.

If successful, the Maui Interim Housing Plan will avoid the need for a moratorium on vacation rentals that some are calling for.

The county will consider other areas on island as the county reaches a “pivotal point in a very controversial issue.”

Amos Lonokailua-Hewett will take the helm Monday. He previously served 25 years in the county’s fire department.

The county has proposed making Olowalu the permanent site to store 400,000 cubic yards of contaminated material but the mayor will make the final decision.