Hawaii House Bill HR133

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/18/26
• Report Pass: 4/2/26
• Refer: 4/2/26
• Report Pass: 4/9/26
• Passed: 4/9/26

Caption

Urging The County Of Maui To Enforce The Provisions Of The Fire Code Of The County Of Maui Relating To Fire Hazards, Brush Clearance, Fuel Breaks, Roadside Vegetation Clearing, And Emergency Access.

Summary

H.R. 133 is a House Resolution urging the County of Maui to actively enforce its fire code provisions related to wildfire risk reduction, especially those governing brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access. The resolution is grounded in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires and cites continuing concerns in West Maui about hazardous vegetation near homes, roads, evacuation corridors, and temporary housing for wildfire survivors. The resolution specifically references the County of Maui’s December 2024 fire code amendments, including provisions that authorize the Fire Chief to order vegetation removal when it poses a fire hazard and require property owners and others in control of land to maintain defensible space around structures. It also highlights rules for smaller lots, larger parcels adjacent to structures, vegetation near rooflines and chimneys, and the clearing of combustible vegetation along highways and private streets. The measure urges the county to use all available inspection, notice, citation, abatement, and enforcement tools to secure compliance, with priority on large parcels, residential areas, survivor housing sites, and major evacuation routes. The bill’s practical impact is limited to a legislative urging rather than a change in state law. It does not amend Hawaii statutes or county ordinances directly, but it seeks to pressure Maui County officials to more aggressively implement existing county fire code requirements. If acted upon, the resolution could increase enforcement activity against property owners and other persons responsible for unmanaged vegetation, potentially leading to more notices, citations, abatement actions, fines, and criminal penalties under county law. The general sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly supportive of wildfire prevention and public safety enforcement. The resolution frames proactive vegetation management as necessary to protect lives, property, evacuation access, and temporary housing communities, and it emphasizes that large landowners should not shift wildfire risk onto neighboring communities. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no additional evidence of opposition or debate in the available record. The main point of contention implied by the resolution is enforcement intensity and targeting. The measure calls for prioritizing large parcels and properties near residential communities, survivor housing, and evacuation corridors, which suggests concern that some landowners may not be complying voluntarily or may resist stricter oversight. The resolution also notes that warning letters and the prospect of daily fines indicate the county is already encountering compliance issues, but it does not identify any formal opposition from specific stakeholders.

Impact

This resolution does not change state law or county code; it is a nonbinding legislative request that urges Maui County to enforce existing fire code provisions on vegetation management and emergency access. Its effect is to encourage stronger use of county inspection, notice, citation, abatement, and penalty authority against property owners and others controlling hazardous parcels, especially in high-risk areas.

Sentiment

The available text shows broad support for stronger wildfire prevention measures and active enforcement in Maui County, driven by the memory of the 2023 wildfires and ongoing concerns about fuel loads near homes and evacuation routes. No votes or committee testimony were provided, so there is no recorded opposition in the supplied materials. The tone is urgent and precautionary rather than controversial.

Contention

The likely areas of contention are the scope and aggressiveness of enforcement, particularly on large landowners, unmanaged parcels, and properties near residential communities, temporary housing, and evacuation corridors. The resolution suggests that some owners may not be complying promptly with brush-clearance and fuel-break requirements, and that the county may need to rely on fines, citations, and abatement actions to secure compliance. Any resistance would likely come from affected property owners or land managers concerned about cost, burden, or enforcement priorities.