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Officials say SB 1170 would speed redevelopment of damaged affordable rentals in Lahaina
Summary
HHFDC and developers testified in support of SB 1170 SD2, saying the measure would expedite redevelopment of affordable rental properties damaged in recent fires, including Lahaina projects. Witnesses emphasized the bill would help projects that were built under now‑outdated experimental ordinances and stressed archaeological rules still apply.
The joint committees heard SB 1170 SD2, a measure proponents say will speed redevelopment and redevelopment‑style projects for affordable rental housing damaged in disasters.
Randy Chu of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation told members the agency supports the bill and stands by its written testimony. Developers and project representatives said the measure is critical to start rebuilding certain affordable projects that face regulatory obstacles.
JF, a representative of a Lahaina affordable‑housing project, said the measure is necessary to rebuild Weinberg Court Apartments and the Front Street Apartments, adding the project has insurance funds and is not seeking additional government money. “We need this bill in order to build, rebuild the Weinberg Court Apartments,” the speaker said. He said past regulatory arrangements for “experimental housing” created reinvestment barriers and that the bill would allow expedited redevelopment.
Committee members asked whether archaeological protections under HRS 6E and SMA (HRS 205A) would still apply during reconstruction. Project witnesses and HHFDC said they would: if archaeology is discovered during construction, work would stop and the appropriate consultative process would follow. “During construction, if we encounter [archaeology], we will certainly stop, address it with SHPD and take the appropriate actions at that time,” a project representative said.
The chairs later moved to pass SB 1170 SD2 with technical amendments. The committees’ roll call shows the measure passed on the chairs’ recommendation. Committee discussion emphasized the difference between “reconstruction” and “redevelopment,” with proponents saying redevelopment allows the site to be reconfigured to meet post‑disaster needs.
Members and witnesses said the bill would reduce procedural time for rebuilding affordable units and help return residents who lost homes to permanent housing faster.
