Maui resident urges priority for local youth in affordable housing plans

In a heartfelt plea during the recent Maui County Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee meeting, a long-time resident shared his deep concerns about the housing crisis affecting local families. With 73 years of life on the island and a lineage that stretches back over two centuries, he spoke passionately about the challenges faced by the younger generation in securing affordable housing.

The resident, a seasoned real estate broker with 45 years of experience on Maui, highlighted a troubling trend: newly built affordable housing often ends up in the hands of outside buyers, particularly from the Mainland and overseas. These properties, once sold, are frequently resold at significantly higher prices, pushing them beyond the reach of local families. “If there isn’t sold affordable housing, it goes into market,” he explained, emphasizing the need for a solution that prioritizes the island's youth.

He proposed a system akin to Hawaiian homelands, suggesting that high school students be placed on a list for future housing opportunities. “Can they afford to buy a house? No, they cannot. But the trick is, they will be on a list, and we will know that they have been here for the years that they say they have been here,” he said, advocating for a strategy that ensures local children have first priority in the housing market.

His message resonated with the committee, as he urged them to consider not just the quantity of housing being built, but also the mechanisms that could protect the interests of Maui's young residents. “We need to do something to eliminate the taking away from our children and making it affordable for everyone else,” he concluded, leaving the committee with a poignant reminder of the importance of community-focused solutions in the face of rising housing costs.

As discussions continue, the call for innovative approaches to housing remains a critical issue for Maui County, reflecting the broader struggle many communities face in balancing development with the needs of local residents.