The community of Kula is marking a turning point in its recovery efforts after last year’s devastating wildfires, with the first home successfully rebuilt and blessed on Tuesday. The homeowner, 83-year-old Thomas Liu, expressed a collective sentiment of resilience and gratitude as he transitions from his rental to the new two-bedroom cottage on his property, according to a report by County of Maui. Liu, alongside neighbors, contractors, and officials, gathered to celebrate the culmination of 15 months of rebuilding efforts since the fires of August 2023.
"It's not a time to celebrate any individual milestone, but rather a symbol of signs of the beginning of a devastated community's long-awaited recovery," Liu stated. The homeowner credits the "love, generosity, kindness, support of family, friends, strangers and federal and local government" for the progress made thus far. In a demonstration of the arduous process faced by those affected, Liu advises continuing property owners to be “persistent” and, “patient,” as reported by the County of Mau'i.
Mayor Richard Bissen and Kumu Kaponoʻai Molitau were also present at the blessing ceremony, lauding the achievement as a reflection of the community's resilience and determination. Mayor Bissen echoed the sentiment of progress, commending the joint efforts of federal and community partners that aided in this endeavor. Liu's journey through the recovery process was one of the first in Kula, quickly submitting applications and adhering to the protocols of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as per the County of Maui.
The rebuilding process for Liu and others has been facilitated by the County of Maui's emergency building permit process, enacted through Ordinance 5629. As it stands, four permits have been issued in Kula, with nine more under review. The forward momentum was not isolated to Kula, as a family in Lahaina also received blessings for their new home last week, just in time for Thanksgiving. The local government and agencies involved, continue to work diligently to expedite rebuilding efforts and bring stability back to the fire-stricken areas. This work includes efforts by the Development Services Administration and the contracting with 4Leaf Inc. to manage the emergency building permit process through the Recovery Permit Centers.
