On November 14, I joined fellow Kauaʻi Councilmember Bernard Carvalho and the rest of the Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties officers touring some of Lahaina’s disaster relief temporary housing projects on the slopes of Leialiʻi, close to Lahainaluna High School (we knew that from the big red “L” on the mountain!). We also saw the most beautiful mist peaking in and out from the ridges up ma uka.
Temporary housing projects at Leialiʻi in Lahaina include two types of modular units. Pictured above are units from California with a more traditional design. Pictured below is a unit from China with glass walls that provide spectacular views. – Courtesy photos
We visited Laʻi Ku, a project with 16 (560 sq. ft.) two-bedroom, one bath units on Lahainaluna Road on approximately 2 acres of State Department of Transportation (DOT) lands originally acquired for the Lahaina bypass. This, the first-to-be-completed project, is a direct result of partnering by the State Department of Education (DOE), the DOT, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA). CNHA’s CEO Kūhiō Lewis and Chief of Staff Nick Carroll provided a tour of the complex.
A few families had already moved in and more would be in a few days. The Maui County road crew was there putting the finishing touches on one of the steep asphalt driveways. We learned that after five years of the temporary housing program, the DOE will make the units available to teachers.
We also visited Ka Laʻi Ola; a project of 450 temporary housing units on 54 acres, a result of the State of Hawaiʻi partnering with HomeAid Hawaiʻi. The studio, one- and two-bedroom units which can be occupied for up to five years are intended for survivors who were not eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This project is one of the largest interim housing developments for wildfire survivors to date.
The modular unit from China we toured had a “part spaceship and part RV camper” feel. The glass walls provided beautiful views – either down towards the city and ocean or up towards the misty mountains. The built-in blinds throughout and the etched lower parts of the glass walls added extra privacy, although the low ceilings didn’t provide much clearance. We were assured the glass was strong and built beyond hurricane requirements. Another modular unit from California we toured was more traditional – wooden with higher ceilings – but only a few windows. Still, all the units were practical, comfortable, and completely furnished.
Two interesting things we learned: 1) FEMA invested $95 million to make needed sewer line improvements; and, 2) The Ka Laʻi Ola acreage, infrastructure and recycled units will be transferred to state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands when the program ends.
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