Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee Summary - March 11, 2026

The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (DRIP) of the Maui County Council convened on March 11, 2026, at 12:30 PM. Chair Tamara Paulton presided. The committee addressed conditional zoning for emergency airstrip operations at Kapalua Airport (DRIP-5) and a bill to base off-street parking requirements on bedroom counts instead of square footage for housing (DRIP-23).

Public Comments & Testimony

Kapalua Airport (DRIP-5):

• Christopher Salem expressed frustration over the lack of emergency airlift following the 2023 Lahaina fires and criticized the recovery process.
• The Royal House of Hawaii questioned the legality of the airport’s operations and whether descendants of original land title holders were consulted.

Off-Street Parking (DRIP-23):

• Christopher Salem spoke on the parking issue, expressing concern about being excluded from community decision-making and noting building codes already define bedrooms.
• Tom Crowley, testifying on his own behalf, offered five specific recommendations: requiring more parking for large accessory dwelling units (ADUs), maintaining three parking spaces for four-bedroom homes, removing wet bar parking requirements as redundant under the new system, separating unrelated code amendments into standalone bills, and advising the council to consult plan examiners for technical feedback.
• Greg Rilski, a Lahaina resident, described severe on-street parking congestion in his community caused by “monster houses,” overcrowding, and a lack of compliance with occupancy rules, calling it a fundamental quality-of-life issue.

Discussion Items

Kapalua Airport Emergency Airstrip Operations (DRIP-5 / Bill 21 CD1): Chair Paulton provided a detailed history of the bill, originating from a 2021 request by the West Maui Taxpayers Association. The State Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed a revised unilateral agreement requiring the County to fund a runway lighting system ($8.4 million for permanent installation, $120,000 for solar-powered). DOT Deputy Director Kurt Otaguro argued that since the County requested the extended emergency use, the County should fund lighting for safety. Corporation Counsel Michael Hopper countered that funding obligations and a duty to defend against claims are inappropriate for a unilateral agreement and beyond the scope of a zoning condition, which simply allows extended emergency operations. DOT noted the airport operates at an annual loss of $2 million and does not qualify for federal funding due to its restrictions. Committee members expressed concerns about fiscal priorities amid post-fire recovery. Member Gabe Johnson highlighted the need for reliable emergency medical access, noting that women in West Maui cannot give birth on the island due to limited life flight availability. The committee deferred the item to allow continued negotiations between the County and State DOT on the unilateral agreement language.

Off-Street Parking Requirements for Housing (DRIP-23 / Bill 47): Chair Paulton introduced the bill as a public safety measure to improve fire truck access on narrow residential streets by shifting parking minimums from square footage to bedroom count. The Department of Planning presented analysis showing over 20% of housing is overcrowded, leading to street parking overflow. The department supported the bill with several recommendations: defining “bedroom,” adjusting counts, allowing tandem parking for ADUs and kitchenettes, and requiring an extra parking space for wet bars. The Fire Department (Captain Voss) strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for 20-foot wide access lanes. Committee members debated enforcement versus code changes. Members Cook and Batangan expressed concerns about unintended impacts on housing costs and spillover effects on Department of Health septic regulations, though staff clarified the “bedroom” definition was limited to the parking code. Based on testimony from Tom Crowley, Chair Paulton moved two successful amendments: (1) deleting the redundant wet bar parking requirement and (2) incorporating ADU parking requirements into the main housing table.

Key Outcomes

• Kapalua Airport (DRIP-5 / Bill 21 CD1): Deferred. The bill did not advance due to a lack of consensus on the unilateral agreement. Continued intergovernmental discussion was directed.
• Off-Street Parking (DRIP-23 / Bill 47): The committee adopted the CD1 version of Bill 47 and approved two amendments based on public testimony.
  • Vote: The committee voted 7-1-1 to recommend passage of Bill 47 (CD1, as amended) on first reading. Member Batangan voted “No.” Council Chair Lee was excused. Member Cook voted “Aye with reservations.”