Maui mayor says debris removal complete, cites permit and housing progress

Mayor Richard Bissen told the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees on May 7 that recovery work in Lahaina has made visible progress, with debris operations completed and significant permitting and housing milestones underway.

“100% of residential and commercial debris removal is being completed,” Bissen said, adding the county removed more than 400,000 tons and moved material to a temporary disposal site and then to a permanent facility on Central Maui.

Why it matters: debris removal and permitting are prerequisites to rebuilding homes and infrastructure. Bissen reported fast‑tracked permitting for survivors and specific counts intended to show momentum on reconstruction and resilience projects.

Key numbers: Bissen said permit approval timelines for wildfire survivors have been reduced to an average of 36 days. He reported 192 permits completed, nearly 600 more approved or in process, and about 353 currently under review. He said roughly 310 sites are actively under construction and that over 500 housing units have been reconstructed and occupied in Lahaina town.

Housing and infrastructure: the mayor said 10 affordable housing projects, including seven rebuild projects totaling more than 1,200 apartments and homes, are moving forward. He told trustees the county has committed more than $580,000,000 toward housing recovery and aligned about $563,000,000 for infrastructure investments such as wastewater, transportation, drainage and water systems.

Cultural preservation and grants: Bissen announced a $2,000,000 grant from the National Park Service to support restoration of the Lahaina Royal Complex and emphasized work to restore culturally significant sites including Mokuʻula and Lokoʻo Mokuhimea.

County recovery office and outreach: Bissen described the county’s Office of Recovery, now intended to become a permanent department, and directed trustees and the public to mauirecovers.org for up‑to‑date information on assistance and program availability.

Trustees follow up: after the briefing trustees asked about collaboration on outreach materials and OHA participation; the mayor agreed to share resources and highlighted the county’s new website as a central information hub.

Next steps: the mayor said county staff will continue permitting and infrastructure work and coordinate with partners to advance reconstruction, resilience and cultural restoration efforts.