County committee recommends settlement in Kulamalu Park stairs lawsuit

The Maui County Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee recommended adoption of Resolution 26-147 on Sept. 22, 2026, which would authorize settlement in Kathleen Platt v. County of Maui (civil case cc v-25-0003688). The committee voted 7–0 to forward the resolution, with Council Members Johnson and Rollins Fernandez excused.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Abby Hoke summarized the complaint during the public portion of the meeting, saying the lawsuit "was filed on 10/08/2025 and arises out of an incident that occurred on 03/08/2024. Plaintiff asserts that she was carrying her granddaughter down the stairs at Kulamalu Park and was utilizing a railing. As she made her way down the stairs, she reached a small landing. And as she began down the smaller set of stairs, she went to reach out for the railing, but there was none there. As a result, plaintiff claims damages of bodily injury, including a fractured hip, as well as general damages of pain and suffering and emotional distress."

The committee met in executive session to consult with legal counsel under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 92-5(a)(4) and to deliberate over confidential information under section 92-5(a)(8). After reconvening, legislative attorney Peter Hanano provided the executive-session summary required by Hawaii Revised Statutes section 92-4, reporting that the committee and counsel discussed the county's potential strengths and weaknesses, alleged damages, settlement efforts to date, recommendations by corporation counsel, and proposed settlement authority. The resolution authorizes the county to accept a confidential settlement offer; the terms of any settlement were not disclosed during open session.