������Ƶ

The Maui County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved spending $12.5 million to pay for the private security guards who staff checkpoints around the perimeter of Lahaina’s five-mile burn zone, but not before pressing the administration for more information on who was getting that money and why.

The National Guard had been managing checkpoints in Lahaina since the Aug. 8 fire that killed at least 101 people. After the Guard pulled out on Dec. 28, the county hired Gold Shield Security to step in, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett.

The Makawao-based company was selected by former acting administrator Darryl Oliveira through an invitation to bid process, he told the council earlier this week.

Lonokailua-Hewett struggled at times to answer questions from members of the council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee. They wanted to know how the arrangement came about, how much guards are being paid, how large the guard staff is, and other details about how public money is being spent for the checkpoint services.

County budget analyst Lesley Milner stepped in at some points for Lonokailua-Hewett. Milner responded to a question from council member Tamara Paltin, for instance, about how the original award came about since the council didn’t approve it. Milner said the award was made from a county emergency fund.

“But after consultation with Corporation Counsel, they feel that should no longer be the funding source which is why we’re coming before you for this amendment,” she said.

Laksmi Abraham, communications director for Mayor Richard Bisssen, said by email Wednesday that Gold Shield Security’s services were acquired “through the normal RFP process under the procurement code, which was posted from December 8, 2023 to December 22, 2023.”

Paltin asked Lonokailua-Hewett about shift lengths, overtime and whether MEMA was responsible for providing things like food, ice and water for the guards.

“We would love to add it to the contract — the management of all logistical needs at each checkpoint,” Lonokailua-Hewett said.

“Whenever you have that contract ready for us to look at, I look forward to it,” Paltin responded.

Council member Nohelani U’u-Hodgins questioned the length of the contract, which Lonokailua-Hewett didn’t know offhand, and its overall cost.

Milner said it covered the time Gold Shield took over through the end of the current fiscal year, which is June 30, and that the $12.5 million includes personnel and equipment costs.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Caleb Rowe said a new request for proposals will be issued, opening up the process for other companies to bid on the job.

Abraham, the county spokesperson, said security will be needed while the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers completes the removal of fire-related debris from residents’ properties, making the end date of the contract uncertain.

describes itself as a company that provides a range of services including estate security, dignitary and celebrity protection and security for hotels, events and film productions, according to its website.

Some of those working as security guards at the Lahaina checkpoints include off-duty police officers, firefighters, emergency responders and other security professionals, Lonokailua-Hewett said in response to a question from County Council Chair Alice Lee.

Staffing 63 Guards At 13 Checkpoints

Gold Shield Security charges the county $110 per hour for each guard, according to Lonokailua-Hewett’s presentation Monday.

The 63 guards staffing 13 checkpoints earn between $45 and $65 an hour. The rest of the per-hour fee covers overhead, insurance, training, security vehicles, live cameras, uniforms, radios, office rental space and supplies, according to he provided to the county after Monday’s meeting.

Ten checkpoints operate 24 hours a day while three are staffed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Twenty live-video feeds are included. Each checkpoint sees between 150 to 300 entries daily.

Equipment costs include light towers, barricades, portable toilets, ice, fuel, fans, forklifts, a pallet truck, tents, tables, chairs, generators and a trailer for Mala Wharf.

Council member Gabe Johnson said during Wednesday’s council meeting that he was disturbed by the size of the contract.

“I can see the need but man, that’s a lot of money,” Johnson said, a point he repeated twice.

The council member said it’s obvious that tourists shouldn’t be wandering into the burn zone to take pictures and people should not be stealing or looting from the disaster site.

But Johnson said the hefty price tag for security is cause for concern and that voting in favor would be “tough.”

Paltin noted that $2.5 million was spent between Jan. 7 and Jan. 20 and other expenses are still accruing, including $500,000 for equipment.

Lonokailua-Hewett said security guards deny about 60 to 80 attempted entries into the burn zone every day. Sheriffs who patrol the zone interact with trespassers about 33 times per day.

Some of the incidents involve gate runners, trespassers and disorderly individuals. More recently, as tourists have returned to West Maui, there’s been a growing trend of visitors trying to get into the burn zone to snap pictures, Lonokailua-Hewett said.

The most common points of attempted entry by tourists are at Fleming Road, Front Street and Mala Wharf.

Maui police have responded to an untold number of burglaries, thefts, stolen vehicles, assaults and other crimes within the burn zone, Lonokailua-Hewett said without providing specifics.

Maui Police Department did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

The council ultimately voted 8-0 to pass with one member excused, amending the fiscal year 2024 budget to provide the Maui Emergency Management Agency with its requested funds.

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.