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: Bill 76 (2025), CD1 FD1 — RELATING TO MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS OR TRAILERS IN THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and other members of the Committee,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 76 (2025), CD1 FD1, which would allow mobile food trucks and trailers as a by-right accessory use on their own properties in agricultural districts on the islands of Maui and Lanai without needing to obtain a special-use permit. The bill would also limit the number of food trucks allowed as a by-right accessory in the Hana community plan area to 25.
The process of obtaining a special-use permit is time-consuming and costly, imposing a barrier to many farmers or ranchers who would like to expand their income opportunities.
Meanwhile, agricultural food establishments and product stands are already allowed as by-right accessory uses, despite there being no significant difference between these permanent structures and food trucks.
In addition, farmers and ranchers were allowed to have food trucks on their own agricultural lands without special-use permits until 2023 when the Maui Planning Department unexpectedly changed its interpretation of the county code. This bill would simply restore the situation that existed before 2023.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Analyst
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
