Organizers say this reclamation of housing inventory would directly address the pressing need for homes and remedy the housing crisis in the community with 3,000 people still living in the hotels.
Gov. Josh Green says he won t put a ban on short-term rentals in West Maui, but Lahaina fire survivors are urging lawmakers to let the counties have control of cracking
Members of Lahaina Strong flew to the state Capitol on Thursday for the second time this legislative session to urge passage of either of two House and Senate companion bills that would give counties the option to phase out short-term vacation rentals on their islands.
"A friend of mine committed suicide, there's deaths! And it is sad to have people move off, but it's even sadder when people are killing themselves and no one is saying that," said Rep. Elle Cochran, who represents Lahaina, Kahakuloa and Kahana.
A bill that seeks to establish a nine-member Lele Community District Board to facilitate rebuilding decisions for the post-wildfire Lahaina area of West Maui, is scheduled for key committee decision making on Wednesday.