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Develop tools to expedite permitting processes for the recovery of West Maui and Kula, aligning with the County's Planning and Long-Term Recovery Plan and the Maui ERC Planning Committee's Objectives to accelerate the rebuilding of the vision for Lahaina.
This project develops tools to expedite permitting processes for the recovery of West Maui and Kula, aligning with the County’s Planning and Long-Term Recovery Plan and the MERC Planning Committee’s Objectives to accelerate the rebuilding of the vision for Lahaina. These tools follow existing regulations and are designed to assist Maui residents and small business owners who seek to apply to rebuild housing and commercial property that were destroyed by the August 2023 fires. They should not apply to any new residential or commercial development that was not previously in existence before the fires.
The Wizard builds on the work of the Hawaii State Energy Office’s online tool, guiding users through a series of property-related questions. Based on the responses, a report outlining the required permits and an estimated timeline for obtaining them will be generated.
A consultant or consultants would prepare the following baseline technical studies to cover the entire Lahaina area since these studies are required for permit submissions:
Simplifying the process of preparing and processing permitting applications to proactively remove barriers to enable residents and business owners to rebuild.
Property owners are able to secure their land use entitlements (SMA approval, etc) faster and therefore rebuild faster. Expedited permit process is anticipated to take 3-6 months vs 1-2 years.
Policy 2.5.10 - Support the development of pedestrian oriented, complete communities that meet residents' needs for daily living by providing a mix of land uses, housing close to jobs, services, schools and recreation, and convenient and safe mobility options including walking, biking and transit options.
Action 1.38 - Update the Lahaina Town Drainage Master Plan with consideration given to Low Impact Development solutions, and develop an implementation plan.
The implementation of the project depends on the County’s Planning Department and the Long Term Recovery Plan, particularly in Lahaina. This project would implement a community-informed vision for the rebuilding of Lahaina.
All agencies responsible for permitting must consider and prioritize the public interest in water, and plan with a modern approach to the traditional ahupua‘a, in which the natural health and productive capacity of the landscape are recognized and respected, and uses are designed in such a way as to operate in concert and coordination with these principles, as recommended in the County Wide Policy Plan (CWPP), Maui Island Plan (MIP) and the West Maui Community Plan (WMCP). Permitting processes should be undertaken in such a way as to:
Supported by CWPP A. Protect the Natural Environment Goal: Maui County's natural environment and distinctive open spaces will be preserved, managed, and care for in perpetuity. Objective 1. C & D.
Cost Estimate:
The following are best guesses based on experience with permitting costs.
Potential Funding Sources:
Project Lead
The preferred lead agency would be the County of Maui Planning Department, Current Division, with the support of the State Office of Planning & Sustainability (OPSD)
Project Partners
All of the County & State reviewing agencies/departments required permits to confirm the required permits, confirm application procedures and process, review and approve technical studies, review and approve permit templates, and prepare standard conditions:
ERC members share from the ERC process:
Maui Nui Strong is a program of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development that connects our residents, businesses, and visitors to useful information about Maui County, our diverse islands, and a variety of resources that help to promote thriving and vibrant communities.
