SCR 39: urging the maui county planning department to RETAIN the word "require" in the south maui community plan as it relates to infrastructure TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT OCCUR WITHOUT ADEQUATE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the maui county planning department to RETAIN the word "require" in the south maui community plan as it relates to infrastructure TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT OCCUR WITHOUT ADEQUATE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

     WHEREAS, the South Maui Community Plan serves as a guiding document for sustainable development and infrastructure planning in the region, ensuring that growth aligns with the needs and capacity of existing and future infrastructure; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed removal of the word "require" from the South Maui Community Plan in relation to infrastructure could weaken enforceability and accountability in ensuring that essential infrastructure improvements are constructed before or concurrently with new development projects; and

     WHEREAS, members of the Wailea community and residents of South Maui generally, have expressed significant concerns that loosening infrastructure requirements may lead to overdevelopment, increased traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and a strain on essential public services, including water supply, sewer capacity, and emergency response systems; and

     WHEREAS, requiring infrastructure to be completed before a development is occupied ensures that new residential and commercial projects do not overwhelm the community's roads, utilities, and public safety resources, thereby maintaining quality of life and sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, other municipalities across the United States, including those in California, Florida, and Colorado, have implemented similar policies mandating infrastructure completion before development occupancy to mitigate the negative effects of unchecked growth and protect long-term community interests; and

     WHEREAS, planning principles that prioritize infrastructure-first development enhance resilience against economic risks, improve public safety, and support the overall well-being of communities by preventing piecemeal and reactive infrastructure solutions; and

     WHEREAS, the South Maui region has experienced rapid population growth and increased tourism impacts, making it imperative that the Maui County Planning Department uphold stringent infrastructure requirements to ensure that development does not outpace the capacity of roads, drainage systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and other essential services; and

     WHEREAS, a failure to mandate infrastructure development before occupancy may lead to costly, taxpayer-funded retrofitting projects that could have been avoided with proactive planning and regulation enforcement; and

     WHEREAS, the Maui County Planning Department has a responsibility to uphold the public interest by ensuring that policies within the South Maui Community Plan reflect sound planning principles that prioritize infrastructure adequacy and sustainable growth; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Maui County Planning Department is urged to retain the word "require" in the South Maui Community Plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting infrastructure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Maui County Planning Department is requested to consider policies adopted by other municipalities in the United States that mandate infrastructure completion before the occupancy of new developments as models for reinforcing sustainable growth in South Maui; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of County of Maui, Director of the Maui County Planning Department, and chair of the Maui County Council.

Report Title: 

Maui County; South Maui Community Plan

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1432

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 39

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 39 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE MAUI COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO RETAIN THE WORD "REQUIRE" IN THE SOUTH MAUI COMMUNITY PLAN AS IT RELATES TO INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT OCCUR WITHOUT ADEQUATE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Maui County Planning Department to retain the word "require" in the South Maui Community Plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting infrastructure.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kihei Community Association and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the South Maui Community Plan (Plan) serves as a guiding document to ensure that the development in the region aligns with the needs and capacity of existing and future infrastructure, and that the proposed removal of the word "require" from the Plan as it relates to infrastructure would allow for the occupancy of a new residential or commercial development project prior to the completion of essential infrastructure improvements supporting the new development.  Your Committee recognizes that policies mandating infrastructure completion before development occupancy enhance resilience against economic risks, improve public safety, and support the overall well-being of communities by preventing piecemeal and reactive infrastructure improvements.  This measure will help avoid costly taxpayer-funded retrofitting projects and protect the long-term community interests of those in South Maui by ensuring that development does not outpace the capacity of roads, drainage systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and other essential services.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 39 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,