Temporary Housing Construction Protected As Green Revises Wildfire Proclamation Again
Gov. Josh Green signed the 10th emergency order to address the aftermath of the Maui wildfires with amendments focused on affordable housing for displaced families.
Maui’s price freeze for rental housing that was implemented in August is preserved by Gov. Josh Green’s latest emergency proclamation on wildfires, a move that’s geared toward moving displaced families out of hotels and into long-term, stable homes.
Green’s latest proclamation, signed Tuesday, revokes a price freeze on other basic necessities, such as food, water and gas. And it allows for the construction of temporary housing for displaced fire survivors with approval from the State Historic Preservation Division.
It’s the 10th renewal of an order that newly permits operators of state-owned temporary housing for families displaced by the fire and those assisting with wildfire recovery to do so without a real estate license.
Another new feature of the proclamation: the Attorney General will be permitted to settle claims through the One Ohana Fund without legislative approval. The $175 million fund, which went live March 1, will provide $1.5 million each to families of those who perished from the Aug. 8 fires that killed at least 101 people in Lahaina.
The state has contributed $65 million, Hawaiian Electric Co. $75 million, Kamehameha Schools $17.5 million and Maui County $10 million, while Hawaiian Telcom, West Maui Land Co. and Charter Communications have each contributed $2.5 million.
Families who opt in to the fund must agree to settle any wrongful death claims. The fund will also be available for survivors who suffered serious injury.
“We steadfastly believe that our overall strategy surrounding the One Ohana Fund is sound,” the governor said in a statement.
