Aloha Council Members,
I wanted to follow up with written testimony in regard to my verbal testimony at the meeting. My wife Lorena and I lost our family home in Lahaina that we plan to retire in. I have been a sustainable designer/builder for 45 years and our goal is to help us and the entire community rebuild with greater resilience, energy independence, and fire resistance. Regarding modular building systems, they can save time and money, and even be a superior building solution in many ways. Care should be taken to assess the sustainability of the components.
EPS foam for instance is not a sustainable product and can emit dangerous chemicals and gases when burned. The firm claims to be 100% recycled, but EPS is not recyclable. These claims regarding fire resistance, recycling, and sustainability should be explained.
Regarding my idea of "tiny homes on wheels" until new homes can be built, I am putting it here in print for your consideration.
A plan for housing, employing, and empowering the people and families of Lahaina and Maui:
Suggestion for Governor Green.
1.) Instruct the Maui Planning Division to allow "tiny homes on wheels" (THOW's) to be brought to peoples properties after they've been cleared and deemed "safe".
2.) If the grid is available the THOW's can be hooked to tem-power poles which can also serve as construction site power for new homes to be built. If there is no grid, the THOW's can be powered with solar on them, and solar "awnings" that provide shade and energy. Utilizing solar + energy storage can provide enough site power for the THOW's and for rebuilding the homes. As I said, the tiny homes and construction of new homes could be powered by dcbel solar + bidirectional EV technology, with any used Nissan Leaf as a "battery on wheels" to store the sola energy.
3.) Allow the THOW's to connect to the existing waste system which is largely underground and undamaged. Repair any segments, pumps, etc. necessary to enable the sewer system as a high priority.
4.) Potable water can be trucked in and stored on site in 500 gallon polypropylene tanks for the THOW's. Once the water system is restored and safe, the tanks can be used for water catchment systems on the new homes.
5.)Once the new homes are built, the THOW's can be used for desperately needed affordable housing and/or for extra income for the newly placed homeowners who will desperately need to recover financially.
These simple actions by the Maui Planning Department would provide much needed jobs, and both temporary and permanent housing for the people AND businesses of Lahaina and Maui.
There is no current zoning or codes which currently prevent these actions, only the "interpretation" of zoning by the Planning Department, which I was told considers "tiny homes on wheels" to be permanent structures once they are placed on sites, stabilized with jacks, and connected to the waste system.
This solution will save businesses, homes, jobs, and the people of Lahaina from having to leave the Island.
Aloha Council Members,
I wanted to follow up with written testimony in regard to my verbal testimony at the meeting. My wife Lorena and I lost our family home in Lahaina that we plan to retire in. I have been a sustainable designer/builder for 45 years and our goal is to help us and the entire community rebuild with greater resilience, energy independence, and fire resistance. Regarding modular building systems, they can save time and money, and even be a superior building solution in many ways. Care should be taken to assess the sustainability of the components.
EPS foam for instance is not a sustainable product and can emit dangerous chemicals and gases when burned. The firm claims to be 100% recycled, but EPS is not recyclable. These claims regarding fire resistance, recycling, and sustainability should be explained.
Regarding my idea of "tiny homes on wheels" until new homes can be built, I am putting it here in print for your consideration.
A plan for housing, employing, and empowering the people and families of Lahaina and Maui:
Suggestion for Governor Green.
1.) Instruct the Maui Planning Division to allow "tiny homes on wheels" (THOW's) to be brought to peoples properties after they've been cleared and deemed "safe".
2.) If the grid is available the THOW's can be hooked to tem-power poles which can also serve as construction site power for new homes to be built. If there is no grid, the THOW's can be powered with solar on them, and solar "awnings" that provide shade and energy. Utilizing solar + energy storage can provide enough site power for the THOW's and for rebuilding the homes. As I said, the tiny homes and construction of new homes could be powered by dcbel solar + bidirectional EV technology, with any used Nissan Leaf as a "battery on wheels" to store the sola energy.
3.) Allow the THOW's to connect to the existing waste system which is largely underground and undamaged. Repair any segments, pumps, etc. necessary to enable the sewer system as a high priority.
4.) Potable water can be trucked in and stored on site in 500 gallon polypropylene tanks for the THOW's. Once the water system is restored and safe, the tanks can be used for water catchment systems on the new homes.
5.)Once the new homes are built, the THOW's can be used for desperately needed affordable housing and/or for extra income for the newly placed homeowners who will desperately need to recover financially.
These simple actions by the Maui Planning Department would provide much needed jobs, and both temporary and permanent housing for the people AND businesses of Lahaina and Maui.
There is no current zoning or codes which currently prevent these actions, only the "interpretation" of zoning by the Planning Department, which I was told considers "tiny homes on wheels" to be permanent structures once they are placed on sites, stabilized with jacks, and connected to the waste system.
This solution will save businesses, homes, jobs, and the people of Lahaina from having to leave the Island.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
- John Sarter