Maui devastation will worsen statewide housing crisis

from Grassroot Institute

The Institute's Ted Kefalas talked with radio host Rick Hamada about Hawaii's setbacks in addressing its housing shortage

The recent resignation of the state’s first-ever chief housing officer shows “how difficult it is to get things done in government,” the Institute's director of strategic campaigns said last week during the Rick Hamada Program on NewsRadio 830 KHVH.

Nani Medeiros "was somebody that was really committed to trying to address this housing crisis ... and it's up to us to carry the torch for her," Ted Kefalas told host Rick Hamada.

Kefalas also acknowledged “justifiable concern” over the governor’s emergency proclamation on housing and called for the counties to “take the lead and change a lot of these housing laws for good" because "we can't continue to do nothing and expect the problem to just go away.”

Hawaii’s housing crisis is only going to intensify following the fires that destroyed Lahaina, he said, "so we really need action now."

Kefalas also updated listeners on Maui's ongoing recovery efforts and explained the importance of the state's Council on Revenues, which prepares revenue estimates for state leaders.

You can listen to the entire 21-minute conversation >>> here <<<.