Maui County unveiled its finalized long-term recovery plan for Lahaina, marking a significant milestone since the devastating wildfires of August 8, 2023.

Wind-driven fires ravaged Lahaina, Kula, Olinda and Pulehu, killing at least 102 people, destroying more than 2,200 structures and causing an estimated $5.5 billion in damage.

The final plan, now available at MauiRecovers.org, reflects input from hundreds of local residents and stakeholders who participated in a month-long community feedback process.

“As we look to Lahaina’s future, this recovery plan is more than just a road map: it embodies the community’s shared vision for our future,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. press release. “Mahalo for the hundreds of responses throughout our community engagement efforts; your contribution is the foundation of our recovery and the rebuilding of the City of Lahaina. Special Mahalo to our teams in the Office of Recovery and the Department of Planning who have worked tirelessly to chart the way forward.

The plan begins with short-term recovery projects that are expected to take one to two years and require more than $85 million in funding – including the Lahaina Reconstruction Plan, the National Historic District Update, the asset management and acquisitions, improving emergency communications networks, energy. Resilience and Redundancy, Infrastructure Assessment and Improvement Studies, Creation of a Lahaina Memorial, Affordable Rental Housing Program, Landlord Support Programs, Economic Innovation and Development, West Maui Business Center, Community Measures Incentivizing Resilience, Expansion of Health Services and Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring and Sampling Plan.

The Affordable Rental Housing Program aims to replace and expand affordable housing by rebuilding 10 projects lost in wildfires. Before the fires, these projects provided more than 700 affordable housing units, and the program aims to replace these units while increasing housing capacity to meet current demand.

The level of affordability will likely be similar to pre-fire projects. The program is a key part of meeting the significant housing needs on Maui.

The Enhance Emergency Communication Networks project responds to vulnerabilities revealed by the August 8, 2023 wildfires. It will improve system redundancy and increase capacity, ensuring communications networks are reliable in the event of an emergency.

Facility upgrades and new facilities will increase coordination between county departments, first responders and the public. The upgrades will improve radio and cellular capacity, close communications gaps and improve emergency response capabilities.

The plan also outlines several medium-term projects, which are expected to take three to five years to complete and require an additional $30 million in funding. Projects include the Maui Emergency Management Agency Advancement Program, Street Connectivity and Extensions, Kuhua Street Extension, Lahaina Water Infrastructure Firefighting Capacity, stormwater resiliency and flood risk management, community facilities, Lahaina Harbor restoration, resiliency and strengthening of water infrastructure in Lahaina, Wai and the watershed. Wildfire Risk Planning, Reduction and Mitigation, Long-Range Agricultural Planning and Food Security, West Maui Senior Center Reconstruction, Long-Range Disaster Management Program and Lahaina Parc Enterprise.

The MEMA Progress Program will improve the County’s ability to identify, mitigate and respond to hazards while improving public awareness and preparedness for future threats. This includes implementing additional tools and procedures to improve information dissemination, planning and decision-making. As part of this program, the county will also evaluate its hurricane-resistant shelters, filling gaps and prioritizing improvements to ensure safer shelter facilities for future emergencies.

The long-term disaster management program plays a vital role in the recovery process.

The program connects survivors with case managers to assess and address their needs, regardless of FEMA eligibility. Since its launch in March, the program has helped more than 3,800 people, currently providing services to nearly 1,400 surviving households.

The program has the capacity to serve approximately 3,000 households at a time, ensuring that all survivors have access to necessary support and resources. The program is also expected to continue through August, playing a crucial role in connecting survivors with long-term recovery solutions.

The plan also includes long-term recovery projects that will take six years or more, with an expected cost exceeding $400 million. Projects include the West Maui Greenway, Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C, R-1 Recycled Water Expansion, Water Source Development, Inter-Island Ferry System, gravity sewer system of the Wahikuli subdivision, the creation of a cultural corridor and the restoration of Moku’ula and Loko. o Mokuhinia Complex, revegetation and reforestation of Lahaina and Kula, green workforce development, preservation, revitalization and reconstruction of historic and cultural spaces, Ke Ola Hou and West Maui Hospital.

Phase 1C of the Lahaina Bypass will expand the current boundaries of the Lahaina Bypass, increasing connectivity and continuing the development of a utility corridor on West Maui.

This highly anticipated project, benefiting from strong community support, will improve the redundancy of the transportation system, thereby benefiting residents and visitors. The project involves constructing a four-lane, controlled-access highway between Keawe Street and Honokowai, spanning approximately five miles. A Kaanapali Connector will also be constructed to connect the Beltway to the Lahaina Civic Center.

The Lahaina and Kula Revegetation and Reforestation Project addresses the critical need to restore Lahaina’s fire-affected landscape with native fire-resistant plants. The project aims to reduce fire and erosion risks while beautifying the city and increasing its resilience. The plan includes efforts to restore native plant species, remove invasive vegetation and create new agricultural areas. This will involve community education about native plants and the creation of new nurseries in Lahaina to support ongoing revegetation efforts.

The finalized long-term recovery plan is designed to be a dynamic document that evolves with the needs of the community. It identifies critical projects and the funding sources needed to implement them, ensuring that Lahaina’s recovery is strategic and sustainable. Officials pledged to update the plan as necessary, incorporating ongoing feedback from residents.

The draft plan, unveiled on October 21, underwent an extensive review process. Community engagement events held Oct. 23 and 26 at Lahainaluna High School allowed residents to learn about the proposed projects and provide their perspectives. Additionally, the county welcomed online comments until Nov. 15, ultimately receiving more than 300 responses.

According to the county, community feedback played a crucial role in developing the final version of Lahaina’s long-term recovery plan, resulting in several key changes. The final plan removes the distinction between priority projects and ancillary projects, grouping all 40 projects into the main body for easier reference. It also clarifies estimated timelines for project completion, providing clearer expectations for residents.

Additional information has been added regarding the level of public participation planned for each project, as well as details highlighting connections between different projects. Where possible, other project details have been included. The county hopes these changes will incorporate resident input and ensure the recovery process remains community-driven.

The long-term recovery plan was developed through extensive community engagement.

Between September 2023 and July, 3,833 Lahaina residents and stakeholders participated in 11 engagement events, including neighborhood workshops, online surveys, and public testimonies.

“This plan serves as the basis for what the community wants to see moving forward,” new Office of Recovery Administrator John Smith said in a statement. “My team and I have already been actively working to advance many of these projects and we look forward to continuing this momentum in the new year. »

The finalized Long-Term Recovery Plan provides a framework for rebuilding and recovery efforts in Lahaina, incorporating resident feedback to align with the community’s vision for the future. The plan is available online for residents and stakeholders to review and track its progress.