Maui County DRIP Committee Meeting on Long-Term Recovery and Housing Transition, August 19, 2026

This reconvened meeting of the Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning (DRIP) Committee focused on Maui's long-term recovery operations, including the transition from temporary to permanent housing for fire survivors, the status of the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP), and a proposed acquisition of water infrastructure assets. The committee also held an executive session regarding the Launiupoko Irrigation Company water assets. The meeting ran from approximately 1:34 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Discussion Items

• Interim Housing Transition (Temp to Permanent): Administrator John Smith (Office of Recovery) presented a slide detailing current interim housing for disaster survivors, including sites at Haleola Ea, Kilohana (157 homes), Calayola, direct lease, CTHA, microsites, and private sites. The plan is to transition Haleola Ea and Kilohana to county control for the next 3–4 years while permanent housing is built. Residents will need to be recertified into a county-led program. Smith noted that a request for a limited FEMA extension has been submitted, and the current FEMA assistance deadline is February 2027. He also announced that FEMA approved a donation program for the Kilohana units, transferring them to the county via the state at no cost, with potential use as permanent housing.
• Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) Transition: The county has already taken over the DCMP from the state, hiring existing providers through September and finalizing a long-term procurement. Deputy Director Trista Spear (Department of Human Services) confirmed that a formal communication extending the move-out date for Haleola Ea residents is in final stages of approval.
• Workforce and Infrastructure Updates: The presentation also covered Maui’s Long-Term Recovery Plan, including infrastructure and workforce development. Managing Director Josiah Nishita noted that the county is actively seeking additional federal funding (e.g., from EPA) to extend recovery efforts beyond the CDBG-DR deadline of 2031.
• Launiupoko Irrigation Water Assets: The committee briefly discussed the proposed acquisition of Launiupoko Irrigation Company water infrastructure assets (non-potable side). Deputy Director Kimo Langraff (Department of Water Supply) was present. The committee then moved to executive session to negotiate the acquisition and consult with legal counsel.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session Vote: The committee voted 7-0 (with Councilmembers Batangan and Sinenci excused) to convene an executive meeting under HRS §92-5(a)(3) and §92-5(a)(4) to discuss negotiations for the acquisition of public property and to consult with legal counsel. The executive session was limited to the Launiupoko irrigation water assets.
• No Legislative Action Taken: As noted in the agenda, no formal action was taken on DRIP-9(4) in open session. The meeting concluded at 4:00 p.m.
• Next Steps: The Office of Recovery will provide a copy of the FEMA extension letter to the committee. The Department of Human Services will finalize and distribute the formal move-out extension notice for Haleola Ea residents. The committee deferred further discussion on the water asset acquisition following the executive session.