Lahaina is set to undergo a permitting change to aid in its post-wildfire recovery. Mayor Richard Bissen has suspended certain Special Management Area (SMA) rules to speed up reconstruction efforts for properties north of Front Street.
According to a release from the County of Maui, the emergency exemptions will allow 636 properties—103 commercial and 533 residential—to bypass usual delays, potentially saving up to a year in the process. "This is a crucial step to help survivors, including both residential and commercial property owners, move forward faster and rebuild their future," said Mayor Richard Bissen.
Despite these changes, there are still requirements to follow, such as obtaining Historical District permits and checks with the West Maui Community Plan. Properties closer to the shoreline will also need to follow SMA and shoreline rules without exemptions.
John Smith, the County of Maui Office of Recovery Administrator, stated that the exemptions strike a balance between planning and urgent recovery. Efforts are also underway by the county, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Federal Emergency Management Agency to clear debris and fix Front Street as part of the recovery.
