The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Cultural Resources Commission on Feb. 5, 2026.
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Feb. 5, 2026, 9 a.m.
Kalana Pakui Building
Planning Department Conference Room
To: Maui County Cultural Resources Commission
Hinano Rodrigues, Chair
Kapono Kamaunu, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst
RE: Item B(2) — A Bill TO EXEMPT POST-DISASTER NON-COMMERCIAL, PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FROM MAUI COUNTY CULTURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION REVIEW
Aloha Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Kamaunu and other members of the Commission,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Item B(2), which would exempt rebuilding plans and permits for public, quasi-public and non-commercial uses from Cultural Resources Commission review.
This legislation would assist Lahaina homeowners and the owners of public-use buildings such as churches, temples and Maui County facilities in their rebuilding efforts.
Although well intended, Commission review often causes permit applicants to wait months for their plans to be approved. The Commission has heard and approved only six rebuilding plans in the two and a half years since the fires.[1]
Every day of delay undermines the goal for a rebuilt Lahaina to have a similar aesthetic to the old Lahaina. If delays continue, more residents could decide to leave and sell to people who don’t have a connection to the community or an appreciation for what old Lahaina meant.
Giving a positive recommendation to this bill would not turn Lahaina’s rebuilding into the Wild West, however.
The Commission has already approved architectural and aesthetic guidelines for rebuilding. The Maui Planning Department staff would still review plans to ensure they adhere to the design guidelines for single-family reconstruction that the Commission OK’d this August.[2]
Projects that do not meet these guidelines would have to make adjustments to conform to the guidelines or obtain Commission approval for any significant style changes.
If commissioners are interested in other barriers holding back Lahaina’s recovery, Grassroot’s recent policy brief “Four more ways to speed up Lahaina’s wildfire recovery” lists additional regulations that county lawmakers could waive to help Lahaina residents and businesses return.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Analyst
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] Jacky Takakura, “Review of a Proposed Bill Amending Section 19.52.020, Maui County Code, Relating to Permit Application Requirements for Post-Disaster Reconstruction In County Historic District Nos. 1 and 2 (Lahaina) and Historic District No. 3 (Wailuku),” Maui Planning Department, Feb. 5, 2026.
[2] “Maui County Cultural Resource Commission Summary Minutes,” Maui Planning Department, Aug. 7, 2025, p. 6. See also Brandis Sarich, “Draft: The Lahaina National Historic Landmark District Design Standards For Post-Fire, Single-Family Residential Reconstruction,” Maui County, April 7, 2025 updated July 29, 2025.
