Maui Realtors get upbeat news from Kent about future of Hawaii housing

from Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

An enthusiastic group of Maui Realtors gave a warm welcome last week to Grassroot Institute Executive Vice President Joe Kent, who spoke to them about policies that could help turn the tide of people leaving Hawaii.

During a presentation in Kahului on Feb. 7, Kent noted that almost half of Hawaii residents surveyed recently are choosing to move away or are considering doing so, blaming high housing costs as a primary reason. 

He said Hawaii’s high housing costs are due mostly to Hawaii’s excessively strict land-use and zoning regulations, as well as its long permitting wait times.

On bright side, Kent celebrated recent housing-policy victories at both the state and counties levels, such as the passage of Act 39, which requires Hawaii’s counties to legalize more accessory dwelling units, and Bill 146, which mandates that Maui County update its water-fixture rules that have been hindering homebuilding and home renovations  — a reform championed by Grassroot.

Looking ahead, he highlighted several promising county housing measures, including Bill 103 and Resolution 24-143, which would facilitate denser forms of housing, such as duplexes and triplexes. 

Kent also hailed efforts to reform Hawaii’s historic preservation laws, which currently label any home built 50 years ago as “historic” and add significant time and cost to construction projects.

Regarding Lahaina’s rebuilding efforts, Kent praised proposals such as Bill 105, which would waive Maui County’s nonconformity rules to speed up rebuilding and help restore the community’s historic character; and state legislation such as SB1296, which would exempt many affected properties from Special Management Area rules, which impose burdensome permitting protocols and fees. 

For more information about these and other Grassroot policy recommendations discussed at the Maui event, please go here.