Since the death of Tasha Kama, the council is divided into two equal factions of four members.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen will choose someone to fill the vacancy created by the death of council member Tasha Kama after members of the Maui County Council failed to make an appointment during a special meeting Tuesday.

Council members were complimentary of all three nominees that they were considering for the position — Kelson Kauanoe Batangan, Carol Lee Kamekona and Virgilio “Leo” Agcolicol — but they were unable to reach a majority vote in favor of any of them.

With the eight current council members evenly split on major policy issues, whoever is appointed to be Kama’s successor has the potential to determine the fate of controversial legislation including Bill 9, Bissen’s proposed plan to

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