As Lahaina pushes through the devastation of the 2023 wildfires, a glimmer of progress shines through the efforts of six state surveyors. Working within the Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) Land Survey Division, these individuals are deeply involved in the painstaking task of mapping out the futures of many Lahaina residents and local businesses eager to rebuild.
The intricacies of their work involve delineating property boundaries, and specifically for those oceanfront parcels ravaged by wildfire, pinpointing where the hand of nature gives way to the realm of private ownership. They do so not just to satisfy bureaucratic stipulations but to quicken the pace at which people can reclaim their spaces. As properties are surveyed and setbacks are set, a cascade of paperwork flows, allowing residents to secure the necessary county permits to begin construction, according to the DAGS announcement.
With the aim of not only rebuilding but also rejuvenating the spirit of Lahaina, DAGS surveyors are taking proactive steps, pulling forward site visits, sharpening the turnaround time for application reviews, and prioritizing certification recommendations, while also fostering tighter coordination with Maui County to streamline the entire process. These actions show a commitment to Lahaina that goes beyond the logistics of land surveying, as they embody a collective resolve to restore a way of life that fire once threatened to erase forever.
"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," shared DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan, as mentioned in the same announcement.
