Maui Mayor Richard Bissen acknowledged: “Housing was an issue on Maui and in West Maui before Aug. 8, and it became, obviously, a bigger issue after that.” “Our duty as government is to present the other options that people have. Let’s talk of creating a land trust,” said the mayor. That was one of the topics that was also explored at the Native Hawaiian Convention.
“I want to see that grow out of this situation we’re in today. Let us find the people who bind us together. Let us find the strength in our lāʻau (plants), in our community. Let us find the koʻi (adze) that define the future and shape our world as we’re going to see it; the kālaimoku (high official), the kālai waʻa (canoe carver) all of those people. They’re in our community. I can stare into this audience and see all the individuals, and that’s what gives me comfort,” said Kaipo Kekona.
Mayor Richard Bissen says Maui is exploring options to convert short-term vacation rentals for tourists into long-term housing options for displaced locals.
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) held its 22nd annual Native Hawaiian Convention (“Native Hawaiian summit kicks off on Maui,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 15).
The panel took place 100 days after the Aug. 8 fires that destroyed thousands of homes on Maui in the historic town of Lahaina and more than 20 in the Upcountry community of Kula.