Hawaii Senate Bill SCR224

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Federal Emergency Management Agency To Further Assist Maui Wildfire Victims By Amending Its Requirements Under The Direct Lease Program To Require That Properties Qualifying For The Program And Used By Lahaina Residents As Temporary Housing Be Within Twenty Miles Of Lahaina, Rather Than Within Forty Miles.

Impact

By reducing the eligible housing distance to twenty miles, SCR224 seeks to ease the burden of long commutes for displaced families. The current requirement has led to significant travel times that exceed one hour due to increased tourism and ongoing construction from fire debris removal. Many residents find themselves facing commute times that are triple or quadruple what they were prior to the wildfires, which impacts not only their daily lives but also the local businesses that rely on a steady workforce from the Lahaina area.

Summary

SCR224, a Senate Concurrent Resolution from the State of Hawaii, addresses the needs of Maui wildfire victims who have been displaced due to devastating fires. The resolution requests that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) amend its Direct Lease program requirements to allow properties used as temporary housing for Lahaina residents to be located within twenty miles of Lahaina instead of the current forty-mile limit. The bill reflects a recognized need for more accessible housing options for residents struggling to return to normalcy after the disaster.

Contention

The resolution spotlights logistical challenges created by Maui’s unique geography, including mountainous terrain and limited roadways, which complicate reasonable commuting distances. Keeping wildfire victims within closer proximity to Lahaina is emphasized as critical for community cohesion and recovery. Furthermore, the resolution suggests that extending the commute radius has hindered both local employment and community rebuilding efforts, putting at risk the very fabric of Lahaina's societal structure.