February 12, 2024, 11:37 a.m. (US time)
* Has been updated February 12th, 11:38am
Maui Department of Finance Director Scott Teruya has been placed on paid administrative leave effective February 2, 2024, county officials confirmed.
In an email communication to Maui Now, county Communications and Government Affairs Director Lakshmi Abraham said Deputy Director Steve Tesoro will serve as acting director.
County officials could not provide details about the reasons behind the action. “As this is a personnel matter, further details are not available,” Abraham said.
Mr. Teruya has served as the Maui County Treasurer since 2019 after serving as the Maui County Real Estate Tax Administrator for 11 years.
This department is responsible for the overall financial management of county departments.
The Treasury Department's total valuation of approximately $59 billion generates more than $430 million from real estate taxes, according to previous reports. The department began collecting transient lodging taxes in 2021 and expected to collect about $60 million in fiscal year 2023. Together, they account for about 83% of the county's general fund and 46% of its budget, according to previous reporting.
Teruya earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii and has been a certified residential appraiser in the state of Hawaii since 1997. He earned the Appraisal Management Specialist designation from the International Association of Appraisers and was instrumental in establishing the Hawaii Real Estate Appraisers Association. Chapter of IAAO.
In June 2023, Mr. Teruya was appointed to the National Review Board on Artificial Intelligence established by the National Association of Counties.
