Committee directs staff to map roads for emergency evacuation, including private routes; MEMA added as partner

After multiple public testifiers raised evacuation concerns — several referenced difficulties observed during recent disasters — the committee amended Action 1.24 to direct staff to identify roads "whether public or private" for possible use as emergency evacuation routes and to coordinate with the county's MEMA office. The change elevated the action to high priority.

CPAC and committee members said they want the department to inventory potential alternate routes, including historical plantation or ranch roads (for example, old McKenna alignments and other tracks near Wailea/Makena) that may not currently be open for public use but could be part of staged evacuation planning. Daniel Kanahhele (CPAC resource) and MEMA staff told the committee they will work with landowners and state agencies to determine feasibility and any needed agreements.

The motion passed on the record (9 ayes, 0 noes). The committee also instructed staff to flag which items will need Department of Public Works, Management and MEMA input when revisited. Why it matters: South Maui residents and council members said the current single-exit corridor creates vulnerability during fires, floods or mass-evacuation events; mapping and contingency agreements can inform short-term staging and longer-term resilience investments.