By Yiming Fu, a Report for America corps member
Maui County presented first drafts of Lahaina’s long term recovery plan at Lahainaluna High School Wednesday, a big step to rebuild Lahaina after last August’s wildfires burned down the historic downtown.
These plans range from short-term spaces to host local businesses to affordable housing, recycled water, green energy, road fixing and Hawaiian cultural preservation projects.
To make this plan, Maui County conducted 190 public testimonials and interviews, three online surveys and five neighborhood workshops to reach 3,833 Lahaina residents. This plan is a first draft. Residents will be able to give feedback, and then the county will present a final plan by the end. Some of the proposed short-term projects have already started development.
Kate Blystone, Maui County’s planning director said the process is community-led and government supported. And it’s a living document that will be refined as things change.
“This is the first step, and it’s a huge step. And I’m so proud of this community for showing up with all they had on their plate for showing up and telling us what they needed,” Blystone said.
Kekoa Mowat lives on Fleming Rd. in Lahaina, works at the Hyatt Regency and coaches football. He’s glad the county presented the first draft to the public and is seeking community input to hear what people want.
Mowat is excited to see plans about using R-1 water, or recycled water. He wants to use it for a Greenbelt project, which would put in green forests and fields in West Maui that are harder to burn than the dry brush that caught fire in August.
Paulo Faleafine is the founder of Nā Mea ʻIke ʻIa, a royal Hawaiian Guard youth development program that focuses on promoting aloha and uplifting the royal traditions of Hawai’i. He’s excited about the plans to revitalize Moku’ula, the historic home of King Kamehameha III in Lahaina that burned in the fire.
Looking at the plans, Faleafine said he feels positive and hopeful and seeing these plan drafts is the first step to taking action.
Of all plans, Faleafine stressed housing is first.
“So long as people have a place to sleep and a place to eat their food and a place to take a shower, then the rest is going to work,” Faleafine said.
He said Maui needs continued federal and philanthropic support for rebuilding.
Busaba Yip, who lived in West Maui and worked at the burned-down Wo Hing Chinese temple in Lahaina, said she feels impressed with the research done behind the scenes to make the plans. It makes her feel confident that people care. And it makes her hopeful to move on with her life.
“I can see a lot of hard work. That gives me a really positive feeling to move forward,” Yip said.
The full plan can be found at mauirecovers.org
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