The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council on July 8, 2025.
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July 8, 2025, 9 a.m.
Kalana O Maui Building
To: Maui County Council
Alice Lee, Chair
Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst
Re: Resolution 25-142 — REFERRING TO THE LANAI, MAUI, AND MOLOKAI PLANNING COMMISSIONS A PROPOSED BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 19.35, MAUI COUNTY CODE, ON THE SIZE OF ACCESSORY DWELLINGS
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Resolution 25-142, which would refer to the county planning commissions a draft bill amending the size limits for accessory dwelling units.
This draft bill would change the size limits for ADUs to be 720 square feet for all lots smaller than one-half acre. The bill would also amend the allowable floor area of decks, patios and lanais attached to the ADUs.
Currently, ADUs are limited to 500 square feet for lots smaller than 7,500 square feet and 600 square feet for lots between 7,500 and 9,999 square feet.
The additional square footage would enable local residents to add an extra bedroom to existing or planned ADUs, which could provide more space for growing families or add housing for renters.
In short, this bill would give Maui residents another tool to help address the county’s ongoing housing crisis.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Analyst
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
