Webinar presentations included wildfire safety strategies by Hawaiian Electric, USACE operations update, TDS Environmental Monitoring Quarterly Report from the County Department of Environmental Management, and discussion on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan from the Office of Recovery. The webinar also included a question-and-answer session.

Panelists: Stefanie Nakasone-Ramsey (Office of Recovery, Public Information Officer), Mayor Richard Bissen, Shayne Agawa (Department of Environmental Management, Director), Phat Phung (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), Kate Blystone (Planning Department, Director), Colton Ching (Hawaiian Electric), Erin Wade (Deputy Managing Director), Mahina Martin (Public Affairs), Shayna Decker (Hawaiian Electric), Shaina Hipolito (4LEAF), Patience Kahula (CDBG-DR Programs Chief), John Smith, (Office of Recovery, Administrator) Wendy Taomoto (Department of Management, Engineering Program Manager), Mikey Burke (Hawaiian Electric), Sarah Pedroza (Environmental Protection Agency), Jennifer Maydan (Office of Recovery, Executive Assistant)

1. Question: Solar water heaters are now required for residential rebuild (196-6.5), but require extra plumbing, pumps, and roof reinforcement in addition to the expensive solar water heaters, and so are not financially practical compared to solar PV-augmented normal electric water heaters. The variance program requires more hoops, long delays, and additional expense to hire a mechanical engineer to make a common-sense variance request. Any way to recognize the problem and expedite this issue for those who are already installing solar PV? Mahalo
​Answer: John Smith responded that the County would follow up on this process.
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2. Question: What are we doing about the Bishop estates/Kam school property weeds that started the fire that ruined all our homes and are now growing back? You would 100% fine and worse our individual homes if we endangered the community, how are the mauka landowners not slapped with huge fines and then billed for preemptive county fire mitigation?
​Answer: John Smith responded acknowledging the concerns, however, stated that the Maui Fire Department and MEMA were not present at the meeting to provide a direct response. John shared that both MFD and MEMA will be present at the May 7 meeting in Lahaina to provide details.
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3. Question: Where are the Lahaina HECO reconnections progress map online?

Answer: Information will be provided on www.hawaiianelectric.com
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4. Question: Why aren't we replanting at least public and historic spaces? In all these plans can we include designated planting locations? The trees will take decades to shade Lahaina again, and we need to replant the monkeypods, pine, crown flower, plumeria, ulu, along Campbell park, Prison, etc.
​Answer: John Smith acknowledged the comment and agreed with the sentiment. He shared that while specific people working on planting plans were not at the meeting, the County understands the need and is supporting initiatives for planting in town and public spaces. John noted that it will take time to restore tree coverage, but efforts are underway.

5. Question: I want to apply for the first-time buyer for a house in the future, where can I get the application? Who can we talk to?

Answer: John Smith responded that for the CDBG-DR first-time homebuyer program, the intake is expected to begin this summer.

6. Question: We read a letter from the DLNR Chair advocating for makai Front St businesses to be able to rebuild. Has there been a change and will makai Front St businesses and residents now be allowed to rebuild?
​Answer: Kate Blystone responded that there were currently bills with the legislature addressing these concerns. Kate shared that there has always been a path forward, however, the process for Front Street properties (on the makai side of the roadway) has been more difficult. In all, it’s a complex issue, and concerned residents should keep an eye on the ongoing legislative process.
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7. Question: Do we have a timeline of when the location of the sewage tie-ins will be in the Wahikuli neighborhoods? would like to start the rebuilding process but want to be sure plans include the future tie-ins to the sewage system.
​Answer: Shayne Agawa shared that there are no updates at this time. The County DEM was working with the EPA, which provided support for the design and permitting of the Wahikuli Sewer System project. There has been a temporary pause in that support due to the new federal administration, but we are working with FEMA to see if there are other avenues of federal support. We do have a preliminary site plan of the proposed sewer lines, but it is subject to change. If you search "Community Meetings" on mauirecovers.org, locate the slide presentation for the Lahaina community meeting on February 5, 2025, and you can view the general site plan of the sewerline locations within the roadways and easements in the Wahikuli Subdivision, along with an estimated timeline of deliverables. (https://intercom.help/mauirecovers/en/articles/10515326-community-meeting-on-february-5-2025)
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8. Question: What is Bill 105 status? The non-conforming bill.

Answer: Erin Wade replied that Bill 105 passed County Council unanimously on March 21, 2025. Kate Blystone provided a link to the press release about this bill here: https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=16319. Kate explained that Bill 105 was adopted as Ordinance 5780 and provides options for rebuilding non-confirming structures. She outlined the key requirements for qualifying which included providing evidence that the structure was legally non-conforming and existed before the wildfires, ensuring repair or reconstruction does not increase the non-conformity, all work in compliance with current building and safety codes, complying with shoreline rules, and completing work by April 1, 2029 (with potential for extension). Kate provided a phone number (808) 270-7735 for additional information.
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9. Question: How are you going to address parking in the residential area when all the massive buildings have already been built?

Answer: John Smith responded that parking has been added under mitigation measures in the CDBG-DR funding plan. Specifics about how the funding will be used to address the issue are forthcoming.
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10. Question: Why have WOODEN utility poles been put back where they were toppled over during the deadly blaze causing road blockages?
​Answer: Colton Ching responded “We have replaced some poles with new wood poles. These new wood poles are stronger and designed for higher winds than the poles that were there previously. In addition, we installed some steel poles and in our Wildfire Safety Strategy we are looking at steel, wood, and fiberglass poles - all designed to higher strength.”
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11. Question: We were trapped in our cars by roadblocks due to "downed power." How do we know that Police and others understand when/whether power lines are de-energized?
​Answer: Colton Ching shared that Hawaiian Electric has been meeting with MPD and other first responder agencies, including conducting safety sessions that include downed power line information.
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12. Question: I've heard various durations about Hawaiian Electric's plans relating to the Wildfire Mitigation Plan... is it 3 years or five years? and is the cost still $130M per year... or something else?
​Answer: Colton Ching answered, stating that Hawaiian Electric’s Wildfire Safety Strategy, which was filed in January, covers 2025-2027. Hawaiian Electric will be providing new strategies for 2028-2030 and later. Also, the estimated cost for the plan for 2025-2027 is approximately $450M.
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13. Question: Can any of the CDBG-DR Healthcare funds be used to fund the proposed West Maui Critical Access Hospital?
​Answer: John Smith responded that it was possible. The Action Plan is broad enough to potentially include support and gap funding for a healthcare initiative like the West Maui Critical Access Hospital.
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14. Question: What involvement is the PUC taking in providing safe electric utilities?
​Answer: Colton Ching responded that the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has asked all regulated companies (including Hawaiian Electric) to file their natural hazard mitigation plans. The PUC is also reviewing the Wildfire Safety Strategy and has launched a docket to review the reasonableness of our Strategy.
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15. Question: Please update the term’ firebreak’ to be GREENBREAK. Buy planting trees, including food producing trees, we can begin to restore canopy, which protects the soil from running off onto the reefs and most importantly is the ultimate solution to fix the hydrologic cycle, which in turn improves water supply for all of us. Mahalo.
​Answer: Colton Ching replied that firebreaks need to be maintained, and planting drought-resistant, low-fuel-load vegetation that can add moisture can be a very effective fire mitigation and protection solution.
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16. Question: When will active access to the harbor be allowed by the county for both operators and customers?

Answer: John Smith responded that the County is working with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) on a plan for access. Currently, there is significant work remaining which includes roadway work and debris removal. Ultimately, DLNR will make that final decision about harbor access.
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17. Question: Lots of talk about funding, but we don't hear people mentioning how Maui hotels pay significantly lower taxes compared to other islands? These people benefited during FEMA and need to help out rebuild.

Answer: Comment will be forwarded to Mayor’s Office.