The Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services Land Survey Division is providing land surveying services in Lahaina to support rebuilding efforts after the 2023 fires. Six surveyors are working to certify property boundaries, helping speed up the permit process for residents who are rebuilding their homes, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services.
Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services surveyors are responsible for marking the boundaries between private property and public land, especially along the coast where these lines can be unclear. The recent fire in Lahaina has made this work more difficult by destroying many of the landmarks used to mark property lines. The Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services said it has a large archive of land survey records going back to 1871, which is now being used to support recovery efforts in the area.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services is increasing its support for Lahaina’s recovery by conducting earlier site visits, reviewing applications faster, and prioritizing property boundary certifications. Surveyors are now traveling to Maui more often than before the wildfires, as demand for land surveys has increased. The division usually conducts about 20 surveys a year on the island. Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services is also working with Maui County to reduce delays between agencies. “We are honored to play a small part in helping Lahaina residents and business owners rebuild. Our hearts go out to this community that has suffered so much. Certifying property boundaries seems like such an ordinary task, but knowing that it helps a homeowner get their long-awaited building permit makes it so worthwhile and fulfilling for our department in doing our jobs,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services Director and Comptroller Keith Regan.
