The Maui County Council is a nine-member legislative body of officials who are elected on at-large basis (i.e., all County voters can cast votes for all nine seats), one each from nine residency areas. Each Council member is elected for a two-year term.

The Council is the legislative and policy-making body of the Maui County government, as provided by Section 2-2 of the Charter of the County of Maui: 'All powers of the county shall be carried into execution as provided by this charter, or, if the charter makes no provisions, as provided by ordinance or resolution of the county council.'

As provided in Section 3-6 of the County Charter, the Council is specifically empowered to:

• Legislate taxes, rates, fees, assessments and special assessments, and to borrow money, subject to the limitations provided by law and the Charter of the County of Maui 
• Legislate appropriations for County purposes subject to the limitations provided by the Charter of the County of Maui 
• Conduct investigations of (a) the operation of any department or function of the County and (b) any subject upon which the Council may legislate
• Fix the salaries of such employees and officers as may be necessary
• Require periodic and special reports from all County departments concerning their functions and operations. Such reports shall be requested and submitted by and through the mayor
• Retain or employ, by a vote of two-thirds of its entire membership, special counsel (private attorneys) for any special matter presenting a real necessity for such employment. Any such employment shall specify the compensation, if any, to be paid for said services