Maui Economic Recovery

Maui Economic Recovery Group Photo

DBEDT and County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED) convened the first meeting of the Maui Economic Recovery Commission (ERC) on January 5, 2024 at the University of Hawaii Maui College in Kahului, Hawaii. Governor Josh Green, M.D., Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, Chancellor Lui Hokoana, Dr. Hōkūlani Holt, and others welcomed the nearly 90 members of the Maui ERC and promoted collaboration, hope, and community-led ideas.

The Maui ERC was formed in response to the wildfires that devastated Lahaina and Kula and is led by co-chairs James Kunane Tokioka, DBEDT Director, and Luana Mahi, OED Director. It is a collaborative effort that includes a diversity of perspectives from subject matter experts, community members, cultural advisors, union and business leaders, and representatives from the government at the county, state, and federal levels. The majority of ERC members live and work on Maui or work with teams there.

Maui ERC members will actively work together in an advisory capacity to provide guidance and recommendations for projects that will support local recovery priorities in sustaining and rebuilding businesses and employment and develop economic opportunities that align with the community’s vision for people and place. The initial phase involves learning, listening, and exchanging insights to chart the best course forward for Maui.

The Maui ERC will convene as learning groups through April and focus on the following priority areas, which were identified through collaborative discussions: housing, workforce development, community interests, healing, ‘āina, and wai. It will then reconvene as a full commission in May and August 2024.

For more information on the Maui Economic Recovery Commission, please visit www.mauinuistrong.info/mauierc

In September 2023, DBEDT launched the Pathways to Recovery webinar series to provide updates about the relief and recovery efforts for the Maui wildfires. For more information on the webinar series and related resources, please visit dbedt.hawaii.gov/pathwaystorecovery