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I encourage our elected officials to designate a portion of time for looking ahead and contemplating the enormous job awaiting us on the horizon.
The unprecedented challenges of cleaning the environment and redeveloping West Maui requires several components, including, but not limited to, a bureaucratic framework (West Maui Redevelopment Agency), land court, development bank, and insurance apparatus. The expertise to envision and implement the necessary redevelopment ecosystem requires a lengthy resume of experience and technical knowledge.
In addition to the steering committee, engagement with Department of Defense Civil Affairs personnel (experts in redeveloping war zones) may be worthwhile.
Broadcast a definitive message to property conglomerates by declaring an immediate freeze to any sale or transfer of West Maui property from Kahakuloa to Ukumehame.
A critical function of the redevelopment ecosystem is to allow residents to deposit their property to the development bank in exchange for a loan with an interest rate equal to or less than one percent while maintaining certain rights to any future disposition of the lot.
A second function is to issue bonds, allowing Maui County residents or vetted natural persons only the opportunity to contribute to the capital necessary for West Maui cleanup and redevelopment.
General contractors must put up a bond of $1,000,000 or the project's valuation, whichever is larger, while also guaranteeing to employ a sizable percentage of Maui County residents as subcontractors and labor. Finally, implementing a problematic lesson from the 2018 and 2023 fires, Maui's entire electrical grid infrastructure must be underground.
Kevin Spellman
Makawao