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.
Summary
SR23 is a Senate resolution urging the Maui County Planning Department to keep the word “require” in the South Maui Community Plan when describing infrastructure obligations. The resolution is aimed at preserving a stronger, more enforceable planning standard so that new development in South Maui does not proceed without adequate roads, utilities, drainage, wastewater, water supply, and other supporting infrastructure in place. It also asks the department to look to similar policies used in other states as models for infrastructure-first development.
The resolution is framed around concerns that removing the word “require” could weaken accountability and allow development to outpace public infrastructure capacity. The text emphasizes that South Maui has experienced rapid growth and tourism-related pressures, and that inadequate infrastructure planning could contribute to traffic congestion, environmental impacts, public safety strain, and costly retrofits later on. The measure is advisory rather than a statutory change, but it seeks to influence county planning policy and the wording of the South Maui Community Plan.
Impact
SR23 does not directly amend Hawaii state law or county code; instead, it expresses the Senate’s position and urges the Maui County Planning Department to preserve stronger infrastructure language in a local community plan. Its practical impact would be on county planning policy and interpretation of the South Maui Community Plan, potentially reinforcing a requirement that infrastructure be completed before occupancy or before development proceeds. The resolution is directed to county officials and could affect developers, residents, and public infrastructure planning in South Maui if its recommendation is adopted.
Sentiment
The available vote suggests clear support for the resolution, with the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee passing it 3-0 and no recorded opposition in the provided materials. The bill text itself reflects a strongly pro-regulation, pro-infrastructure stance, emphasizing sustainable growth, public safety, and protection of community resources. Overall sentiment appears favorable toward maintaining stricter development standards and preventing growth from outpacing infrastructure.
Contention
The main point of contention is whether the South Maui Community Plan should retain the word “require” in relation to infrastructure. Supporters argue that removing it would weaken enforceability and allow overdevelopment, while opponents or those favoring the change may view the language as too rigid or burdensome for development. The resolution also reflects broader tension between development interests and residents concerned about traffic, environmental degradation, water and sewer capacity, and the cost of future public retrofits. No specific opposing testimony is included, but the issue is clearly centered on balancing growth with infrastructure readiness.
Same As
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.