GREAT-14 Reso 23-194 West Maui RESOLUTION 23-194, RELATING TO DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY PLAN IN RESPONSE TO THE ISLAND OF MAUI'S TRAGIC WILDFIRES OF AUGUST 2023 (GREAT-14)
I have four simple recommendations to expedite the reconstruction of Lahaina:
1) Allow individual property owners to obtain permits while infrastructure is being revamped.
Owners can plan, permit, bid, and reconstruct while roads and utilities are being redone. A “Certificate Of Occupancy”, however, would not be granted until relevant infrastructure is completed and the reconstructed property ties into necessary utilities. The property owners can assess their own competition schedule VS risk.
2) Reinstate the "Plan Review Waiver". The county has a shortage of both employees and financing. The individual property owners can hire architects/engineers to attest to the compliance of intended improvements. Professional licenses are on the line. This should greatly reduce the workload of the Planning Dept and Building Dept and thus put less strain on the county budget.
3) Allow the AIA to revise the Lahaina Historic District construction guidelines. After major revisions to the town are agreed upon, update the building requirements to a more fire friendly template. Think “Seaman’s Hospital” and the integration of stone. Once said guidelines are in place, they can be used for the pursuit of the aforesaid Plan Review Waiver.
4) Allow contemporary buildings to be reconstructed. If a structure received a building permit or Planning Commission approval within the last couple of decades it should qualify for rebuilding, subject only to updates to present building codes. Again, the Plan Review Waiver could attest to compliance.
Good luck with this enormous task. I hope the community can work together with vision and tolerance.
Front Street 600-900 Block Redevelopment: Makai 800-900 Block: New Questions Arise!!
(Please note that I have represented the leasing of approximately 23 plus Front Street retail store tenants since the year 2000 which included Billabong, Maui Hands, Pacific Whale Foundation, Maui Divers, & others.) Prior to that I founded and directed the entire retail division for Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. when the company was owned by Mitsubishi and The Rockefeller's.
New Questions arise with regard to the redevelopment of Front Street and its hopefully "new" set back distance from water?
What will a "new Front Street " walkway look like? Will a walkway be without autos? Will it be elevated? Will it be a board-walk style of construction or garden style appearance? Will a new Front Street incorporate the visions of our honored elders.
Will certain tenant uses such as artisan galleries be limited in size and scope?
(In 2004 the students across the street from 612 Front Street at King Kamehameha Elementary School volunteered to paint the construction barrier. The last two letters of my cell phone are visible)
Testimony received by GREAT Committee
Streamline the reconstruction of Lahaina
Aloha:
I have four simple recommendations to expedite the reconstruction of Lahaina:
1) Allow individual property owners to obtain permits while infrastructure is being revamped.
Owners can plan, permit, bid, and reconstruct while roads and utilities are being redone. A “Certificate Of Occupancy”, however, would not be granted until relevant infrastructure is completed and the reconstructed property ties into necessary utilities. The property owners can assess their own competition schedule VS risk.
2) Reinstate the "Plan Review Waiver". The county has a shortage of both employees and financing. The individual property owners can hire architects/engineers to attest to the compliance of intended improvements. Professional licenses are on the line. This should greatly reduce the workload of the Planning Dept and Building Dept and thus put less strain on the county budget.
3) Allow the AIA to revise the Lahaina Historic District construction guidelines. After major revisions to the town are agreed upon, update the building requirements to a more fire friendly template. Think “Seaman’s Hospital” and the integration of stone. Once said guidelines are in place, they can be used for the pursuit of the aforesaid Plan Review Waiver.
4) Allow contemporary buildings to be reconstructed. If a structure received a building permit or Planning Commission approval within the last couple of decades it should qualify for rebuilding, subject only to updates to present building codes. Again, the Plan Review Waiver could attest to compliance.
Good luck with this enormous task. I hope the community can work together with vision and tolerance.
05fishery_college@icloud.com
Front Street 600-900 Block Redevelopment: Makai 800-900 Block: New Questions Arise!!
(Please note that I have represented the leasing of approximately 23 plus Front Street retail store tenants since the year 2000 which included Billabong, Maui Hands, Pacific Whale Foundation, Maui Divers, & others.) Prior to that I founded and directed the entire retail division for Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. when the company was owned by Mitsubishi and The Rockefeller's.
New Questions arise with regard to the redevelopment of Front Street and its hopefully "new" set back distance from water?
What will a "new Front Street " walkway look like? Will a walkway be without autos? Will it be elevated? Will it be a board-walk style of construction or garden style appearance? Will a new Front Street incorporate the visions of our honored elders.
Will certain tenant uses such as artisan galleries be limited in size and scope?
(In 2004 the students across the street from 612 Front Street at King Kamehameha Elementary School volunteered to paint the construction barrier. The last two letters of my cell phone are visible)