John Smith is the new administrator of Maui County’s Office of Recovery. Maui County/Courtesy photo

John Smith said he hopes that in his new position as Maui County’s Office of Recovery Administrator, he can provide clarity and clear direction, both internally and externally.

Describing his role as a “primary coordinator” and “implementation enabler,” he said he plans to be a resource for the community during the process of rebuilding.

“And to provide a sense of hope that we’re going to get through this together,” he added.

Recognizing that the rebuilding of Lahaina is a “complex” issue, he said he is approaching his position through a holistic lens and sees the need for a balanced approach – focused on social, economic, cultural and housing issues, all simultaneously.

Smith succeeds previous Managing Director Josiah Nishita, who had been temporarily leading the Office of Recovery until a permanent administrator was chosen by a selection committee. The permanent administrator was announced earlier in December.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen established the role of Office of Recovery Administrator in September 2023. The office is under the Maui County Department of Management and oversees six key recovery support functions, including community planning, economic recovery, health and social services, housing, infrastructure and natural and cultural resources.

During the past year, Smith has been serving as the co-lead for the Office of Recovery, Infrastructure Recovery Support Function, focused mainly on the infrastructure side of the rebuild. Previously, Smith worked as the Department of Public Works Highways Division Chief, where he managed all highway operations and provided oversight for personnel and program budgets. He had been a part of the department since 2012.

In terms of infrastructure in Lahaina, Smith said the primary focus has been on restoring the water, sewer, and the roads so that folks can rebuild.

“I can say that all the infrastructure work I’ve previously been involved with before this role, we’ve accomplished that goal in terms of restoring enough so people can rebuild,” he said.

“That was goal No. 1 — let’s get water and sewer restored. We’re not 100% there today, but we will be 100% by the time people are ready to build houses on lots,” he said.

He said that in his new position, he sees a chance for the county to continue to build on their collaborations and momentum.

“I think that fundamentally, from the start of the disaster to now, that both our community groups and our government agencies are much closer together, meaning silos have come down in government,” he said.

With plans on participating in the ongoing meetings in Lahaina next year, he also said the office will be hosting additional webinars to provide another option for those with questions and who can’t attend meetings in-person. He also expects to share more information about housing, and possibly Front Street-related topics as well.

“I can’t speak to the specifics of Front Street, yet but that will be coming soon,” he said.

“We’ve learned a lot through technical studies that are still ongoing related to Front Street, and we’re looking forward to sharing those and working with the community in early 2025,” he added.

From navigating uncertainty to addressing housing-related issues, he said he also sees mental health as a priority for all.

“These are complex problems and they create a pretty significant mental strain, so mental health is a pretty big issue that won’t be directly under the Office of Recovery but recognize that that’s an issue, and ultimately a lot of this strain and pressure make it really difficult for many Maui families to actually stay here. I see that issue, in general, as one of the biggest problems. By providing solutions and pathways to rebuild, we hope to ease the mental burden,” he said.

Another issue is housing. Smith said that right before the fire, he had went through the permit process for his own home, experiencing firsthand the intricacies of what it takes a homeowner or business to go through something like that.

Smith also worked with Public Works in helping to set up the process with 4LEAF Inc. at the county’s new Recovery Permitting Center to help support and expedite residents looking to rebuild in West Maui.

“I think we will continue to improve on that process because of the tools in place,” he said.

In terms of rebuilding, Smith said they will be ensuring county building and zoning code is followed, focused on safety first.

Originally from Ohio, Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Ohio University. In 2015, Smith was recognized as the Public Works Employee of the Year.