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Best Practices for Hiring a Land Surveyor in the Lahaina Recovery Effort
Best Practices for Hiring a Land Surveyor in the Lahaina Recovery Effort
Updated over a month ago

Purpose:

This guide helps property owners and residents affected by the Lahaina wildfires understand (i) how to obtain land surveying services and (ii) whyland surveying is essential to the rebuilding process.

1. Why Do I Need a Land Survey?

A land survey is essential to:

  • Establish property boundaries: A land surveyor can determine the location of your property lines, which are critical for rebuilding.

  • Locate boundary monuments (property pins): Many boundary monuments may have been disturbed or destroyed during the cleanup effort. A land surveyor can reset these monuments in their proper location.

  • Compliance with local regulations: Rebuilding may require compliance with zoning restrictions such as setbacks from roads, structures, or shorelines. A land surveyor can provide some of the necessary documentation for permits, including maps and descriptions.

  • Protect your investment: A clear understanding of your property’s boundaries will help you to avoid future legal disputes with adjoining property owners.

2. Special Considerations for Lahaina

  • Obliterated Monuments: Due to cleanup efforts and infrastructure repairs (such as water meter replacements), many boundary monuments may be missing. Make sure your surveyor is prepared to address these challenges and is experienced in monument recovery.

  • Access Issues: Surveyors may face restricted access to some areas due to ongoing recovery efforts. Ensure your surveyor has the necessary permissions or access placards for your property.

  • Shoreline Setbacks: The County of Maui has transitioned to using the Erosion Hazard Line, a sea level rise model, to determine the shoreline setback. If your property is near the coast, ask your surveyor how this impacts your rebuilding plans.

3. Types of Surveying Services You May Need

  • Boundary Staking: This service determines the location of property lines by recovering existing, or replacing missing, boundary monuments. This service is important when rebuilding structures or fencing properties to ensure such improvements are placed in the correct location. No map is provided.

  • Perimeter Survey: This service involves a survey of your property lines as they relate to any structures or features that may run along, within, or across your boundaries. This service may be required for legal property definitions and permits. Certified map is included.

  • Site Plan: This service details the existing conditions on the whole of your property, such as the location of structures, pavement, and utilities, but without elevation data. Certified map is included.

  • Topographic Survey: This service provides detailed elevation data, depicting the contours of the land and existing conditions. This service is vital for construction planning and addressing drainage or grading issues. Certified map is included.

  • Shoreline Survey: Often necessary for properties near the coast, this survey helps determine how close structures can be to the water based on state and county regulations. Certified map is included.

  • Elevation Certificate: Used for determining flood insurance rates and required for properties in flood zones. This service certifies the elevation of buildings relative to the base flood level. Map is not included.

  • ALTA/NSPS Survey: Often required during commercial real estate transactions and development. This service provides comprehensive details on property boundaries, easements, certain other encumbrances on your title, and improvements, ensuring the property meets title insurance requirements. Certified map is included.

  • As-Built Survey: Performed after construction to document the exact location of improvements placed on the property in accordance with the development plan. It ensures that the structures and other developments match the approved design plans and meet zoning and regulatory requirements. Certified map is included.

4. How to Find a Qualified Surveyor

  • Licensed Professional: Ensure the surveyor is licensed by the State of Hawaii to practice land surveying. You can verify licenses through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

  • Local Knowledge: Hiring a surveyor who is familiar with Lahaina, its boundary systems, and its unique geography will improve your ability to navigate regional regulations and other issues, such as shoreline setbacks and land records management.

5. Steps to Hire a Surveyor

  1. Research: Start by compiling a list of surveyors in Maui. Look for those who specialize in boundary, topographic, and construction surveys, as they are the most relevant for rebuilding.

  2. Request Proposals: Contact multiple surveyors to request proposals. Ask about their:

    • Availability (surveyors may have backlogs due to the increased demand).

    • Estimated timeline for completing the survey.

    • Price estimate for services.

  3. Verify Credentials: Ask for the surveyor’s license number and verify it with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (see below for a link). You may also want to check for any reviews or testimonials from past clients.

  4. Contract Agreement: Once you have chosen a surveyor, ensure there is a formal written contract outlining:

    • Scope of work (boundary survey, topographic survey, etc.).

    • Timeline and milestones.

    • Total cost and payment schedule.

6. What to Expect During the Survey Process

  • Site Visit: The surveyor will visit your property to locate and establish property lines, review any existing markers, and collect field data.

  • Monument Recovery or Replacement: If your property markers have been destroyed or moved disturbed, the surveyor will work to reestablish them using historical records and field evidence.

  • Mapping and Documentation: You may receive a certified survey map, depending on the service you require. If so, it may include the property’s legal description, boundary lines, and any notable features or improvements. This map is yours, and it contains critical information for permit applications and rebuilding plans. It is not the land surveyor’s responsibility to keep copies for you. DO NOT MISPLACE YOUR MAP!

7. Resources for Homeowners

  • Hawaii Land Surveyors Association (HLSA): Provides information on qualified surveyors and guidelines for land surveys in disaster recovery. HLSA Website

  • Maui Recovers Website: A resource for those impacted by the Lahaina wildfires, offering guidance on rebuilding efforts. Maui Recovers Website

  • Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: For license verification and additional resources related to land surveying. DCCA License Search

8. Questions to Ask Your Surveyor

  • What experience do you have with disaster recovery surveys?

  • How long will it take to complete the survey?

  • Are you familiar with the specific challenges in Lahaina, such as missing monuments or shoreline setback changes?

  • Will you provide a certified map that can be used for my permit applications and rebuilding plans?

  • What are your fees, and what services are included?

9. Timeline for Completing a Survey

Given the high demand for survey services in Lahaina, the timeline for completing a survey may be longer than usual. On average, you can expect:

  • Initial Contact to Proposal (up to 2 weeks)

  • Site Visit: 2-4 weeks (depending on surveyor availability).

  • Field Work and Data Collection: 1-3 days (for a typical residential lot).

  • Processing and Map Delivery: 2-4 weeks. Delays may occur due to restricted access or issues in recovering property monuments.

These timelines are circumstantially dependent and should not be relied upon. Check with your surveyor.

Professional Land Surveyors in Maui County

(In Alphabetical Order)

Valencia Land Surveying LLC

  • Principal Surveyor: Arthur Valencia

  • License Number: LS-10026

  • Services: Boundary surveys, topographic mapping, shoreline surveys, construction staking, and more.

  • Phone: (808) 661-3257

  • Website: valencialandsurveying.com

  • Address: PO Box 13008, Lahaina, HI 96761

Akamai Land Surveying

  • Principal Surveyor: Sherman “Dudley” Depont

  • License Number: LS-6960

  • Services: Boundary surveys, consolidations, subdivisions, shoreline mapping, and construction layout.

  • Phone: (808) 876-0177

  • Website: akamaisurvey.com

  • Address: PO Box 1748, Makawao, HI 96768

Maui Land Surveyors LLC

  • Principal Surveyor: Loren “Erich” Slentz

  • License Number: LS-19826

  • Services: Boundary surveys, construction layout, topographic surveys, and more.

  • Phone: (808) 205-5291

  • Website: MauiLandSurveyors.com

  • Address: P.O. Box 880709, Pukalani, HI 96788

Sun Star Surveying

  • Principal Surveyor: Russel Higa

  • License Number: LS-7609

  • Services: Boundary surveys, topographic mapping, and construction staking.

  • Phone: (808) 276-4337

  • Mailing Address: PO Box 796, Wailuku, HI 96793

Ailana Surveying & Geomatics

  • Principal Surveyor: Anthony Crook

  • License Number: LS-12094

  • Services: Boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and construction staking.

  • Phone: (808) 346-1818

  • Website: ailanasurveying.com

Carl R. Musto Land Surveying LLC

  • Principal Surveyor: Carl Musto

  • License Number: LS-11443

  • Address: 195 S Makaleha Pl, Makawao, HI 96768

  • Phone Number: (808) 573-2151

  • Email: cmusto67@gmail.com

Clarkes Land Surveying

  • Principal Surveyor: Kevin Clark

  • License Number: LS-17011

  • Services: Boundary surveys, construction surveys, topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS, FEMA certifications.

  • Phone: (808) 344-6474

  • Website: clarkeslandsurveying.com

  • Address: PO Box 532423, Kihei, HI 96753

Valley Isle Surveyors

  • Principal Surveyor: Randal Sherman

  • License Number: LS-4187

  • Services: Boundary and topographic surveys, construction layout, and mapping.

  • Phone: (808) 874-8066

  • Website: valleyislesurveyors.com

  • Mailing Address: PO Box 1001, Kihei, HI 96753

Action Survey

  • Principal Surveyor: Justin Shaw

  • License Number: LS-15959

  • Services: Topographic surveys, boundary surveys, site plans, and construction staking.

  • Phone: (808) 891-2400

  • Website: actionsurveyhawaii.com

  • Address: 270 Ho'okahi Street, Suite 302, Wailuku, HI 96793

Fukumoto Engineering

  • Principal Surveyor: Mike Silva

  • License Number: LS-12960

  • Services: Civil engineering, land surveying, permitting, and project management.

  • Phone: (808) 242-8611

  • Email: office@femaui.com

  • Website: femaui.com

  • Address: 1721 Wili Pa Loop, Suite 203, Wailuku, HI 96793

Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates, Inc. (ATA)

  • Principal Surveyor: Justin Lapp

  • License Number: LS-12964

  • Services: Civil engineering, land surveying, planning, and infrastructure development.

  • Phone: (808) 244-0202

  • Website: atahawaii.com

  • Address: 1871 Wili Pa Loop, Suite A, Wailuku, HI 96893

Unemori Engineering, Inc.

  • Principal Surveyor: Reed Ariyoshi

  • License Number: LS-6597

  • Services: Civil and structural engineering, land surveying, project management.

  • Phone: (808) 242-4403

  • Email: info@wsue.com

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