Investing in Our Future

Major Housing and Infrastructure Projects Announced for Maui Wildfire Recovery

There is significant news for the long term recovery of our community. The County of Maui Office of Recovery, through its Hoʻokumu Hou program, has announced a massive wave of investments aimed at restoring what was lost in the 2023 wildfires.

The program has conditionally awarded funding to seven multifamily rental housing projects and 22 infrastructure and mitigation improvements. These projects are designed to not only bring families back to West Maui but to ensure the foundation they return to is stronger and more resilient than before.

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Restoring 519 Affordable Rental Units

A primary focus of the Hoʻokumu Hou program is addressing the critical housing shortage by rebuilding multifamily units. Seven specific projects have been selected to receive Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding, which will restore a total of 519 affordable rental units in West Maui.

The Selected Housing Projects:

• Front Street Apartments: 238 total units (Phase 1 and 2)
• Lahaina Surf: 111 units
• Weinberg Court Apartments: 66 units
• Komohana Hale Apartments: 40 units
• Hale Mahaolu Eono: 34 units
• Westside Affordable Housing: 30 units

While most timelines are still being finalized, developers for the Front Street Apartments expect construction to begin in February 2027.

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Building the Foundation: Infrastructure & Mitigation

Housing cannot exist without the essential services that support it. The program has approved 22 projects to repair and upgrade the "backbone" of West Maui.

Roadway & Transportation Significant work is planned for major corridors, including the first phase of the Honoapiʻilani Highway realignment (Lahaina Bypass extension). Other projects include street extensions, connector roads, and repairs to damaged sidewalks and local streets.

Water & Wastewater To support the rebuilding effort, the County is prioritizing sewer system expansion, the replacement of wastewater pump stations, and upgrades to recycled water systems. Additionally, emergency power will be installed at essential water facilities to ensure reliability during future events.

Community Facilities Recovery is about more than just pipes and roads. Funding has been allocated for public-serving facilities, including the reconstruction of the West Maui Senior Center, a vital hub for our kupuna.

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What is Hoʻokumu Hou?

Funding for these projects comes from the federal CDBG-DR program, a result of close collaboration between the County of Maui and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This money acts as "gap funding," stepping in after insurance and FEMA assistance have been exhausted to ensure these large scale projects can cross the finish line.

"We worked hard to bring these resources to Maui because we know how important it is to keep our families rooted here at home," said Mayor Richard Bissen.

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Have Your Say: The Public Comment Period

These projects are currently part of a "substantial amendment" to the County’s Action Plan, and your input is needed before the plan is sent to HUD for final approval.

• Review the Plan: Visit hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov to see the full details.
• Deadline: The public comment period is open now through April 6, 2026.
• How to Comment: You can submit feedback via the online form on the website, email [email protected], or visit the Lahaina Resource Center or Kāko’o Maui Resource Center in person.

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