Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents and cultural practitioners urge CRC to center Lahaina culture in rebuild guidelines
Summary
Public commenters told the Cultural Resources Commission to prioritize reconstruction, honor plantation‑era plantation vernacular and native planting traditions, and coordinate the guidelines with the Royal Complex master plan.
Multiple public speakers told the Cultural Resources Commission that rebuilding guidance should reflect local history and cultural landscape priorities rather than impose outside aesthetic preferences.
"Plantation vernacular on Maui honors the rich history and diverse background of the plantation workers," Karen Comcowich told commissioners, urging that plantation‑era house forms and local lei materials be included in planting lists. Deputy Director Kekai Robinson representing the Department of ʻŌiwi Resources asked the commission to coordinate the guidelines with the Royal Complex master plan and said the Department will present its own master‑planning recommendations when complete.
Other testifiers raised practical and cultural concerns: one attendee flagged errors in the draft plant list (for example noting some native species called out are not native to Maui), while another asked that reconstruction be prioritized over redesign to retain the town’s historic character. Planning staff and the consultant acknowledged the feedback and said revisions would reflect community input prior to a planned February adoption vote.
The public comments helped shape the commission’s decision to defer the draft for revisions and collect written suggestions ahead of the next meeting.
