Aloha a me Hau’oli Makahiki Hou to all our Maui County residents and families!
The beginning of each year is typically a time for change and reflection. As we close off a physically and emotionally devastating 2023, we are more motivated to
emerge as a new community. Unlike other social and economic downturns, the wildfires have brought us together in ways that cannot be described. Through strong community leadership, despite our grief over our losses, we continue to build resilient bonds that will be the bedrock of Maui County’s recovery.
The challenges we have and will continue to face as a community are vast and impactful. I believe government alone cannot be the solitary solution. We must face our challenges together. The County Council cannot do this alone. The aftermath of the wildfires demonstrated that our collective hearts and minds are what keeps us going. The thousands of residents who turned out for the Lele Aloha march on Jan. 20 exhibited our collective spirit. We will need to harness that energy, that aloha, to address the formidable challenges our community faces.
On Dec. 15 , the council adopted Resolution 23-245, “Urging the Governor of the State of Hawaii and the Mayor of the County of Maui to Permit the Use of Modular Housing for Temporary and Permanent Housing,” affirming that the council wants to consider all possible solutions to addressing our housing crisis. Although the use of modular homes is not common, they have been an option for our islands for many years. I sincerely hope to tap into the use of quickly constructed modular homes to fast-track sheltering our displaced families and individuals for the interim and long term. We are fortunate to have several vendors of modular housing in the state, some of which already have HUD-approved plans that comply with regulatory guidelines and are financeable.
On Jan. 5, FEMA Regional Director Bob Fenton, Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Richard Bissen gathered at the county’s Fairway at Maui Lani residential lots to announce a memorandum of understanding for $500 million of funding for stable post-wildfire housing. The county is committing $40 million and FEMA is providing $250 million of the total funding. During the press conference, the current programs of support — such as FEMA’s Direct Lease Program and the Host Housing Support program through the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement — were identified as part of the solution. We expect to hear more about how those funds will be deployed to further address the housing needs of those who have been displaced by the wildfires.
As chair of Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee, I look forward to efforts by the county administration to bring forward possible changes to previously entitled affordable-housing projects to move them toward construction. Regardless of the wildfire impact, the national economic environment has shifted in favor of rental housing and away from for-sale housing. We will need to shift our efforts, in the short term, to prioritize rental housing to meet the immediate needs of our community. While demand for housing has dramatically increased, the wildfire has dramatically reduced the county’s ability to generate revenue. I see the upcoming fiscal year 2025 budget process as one where a sharp pencil must be taken to trim costs while trying to meet increasing public demand for services.
I applaud the proposal from the governor to encourage owners of existing vacation-rental properties to sell their units to local households for either home ownership or long-term rental. I believe that exempting the sale of these properties from state capital gains tax, conveyance fees and general excise taxes would create a compelling arrangement for both sellers and buyers. This “carrot” is much preferable to the threatened “stick” of raising property taxes for the goal of ensuring a smooth transition to convert of these vacation rentals into long-term homes for our local families.
Housing is a human right that we must continue to work toward. My committee is working on as many initiatives as possible, and although time does not seem to be on our side, your County Council is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity for safe and decent housing.
* Tasha Kama is the council’s presiding officer pro tempore and chair of the Housing and Land Use Committee. She holds the council seat for the Kahului residency area. “Council’s 3 Minutes” is a column to explain the latest news on county legislative matters. Go to mauicounty.us for more information.
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