Committee sends amended rezoning list for dozens of West/South Maui properties to planning commission

The Housing & Land Use (HOU) Committee voted on July 6 to transmit Resolution 26‑110 — a package of proposed community plan and zoning changes affecting timeshare, leasehold and single‑owner units — to the Maui Planning Commission for its 120‑day review.

Chair Nohelani'u'u Hodgins opened deliberations and walked members through a handout that broke proposed parcels into categories and listed named timeshare and leasehold properties. After floor amendments by members Tamara Paulton and Tom Cook to clarify legally operating timeshare dates and to add several leasehold parcels, the committee accepted planning department technical corrections and approved the amended resolution. The chair said the amended list will proceed to the planning commission for review and recommendation.

Members debated which leasehold properties to include. Member Rollins Fernandez argued for a clean threshold to avoid arbitrary removals, saying policies should “prioritize our residents’ need, over the profiteering for people who don't even live here” and pressing for criteria based on the share of a building that is leasehold. Member Cook, who proposed adding three leasehold parcels to the bills, urged the committee to consider older buildings that “operate like hotels” or otherwise generate revenue that could fund housing programs. Finance Director Marcy Martin clarified property‑tax and leasehold valuation concepts for the committee, explaining that leasehold valuation can decline as remaining lease terms shrink.

Practical corrections were also made on the dais: the committee voted to remove Hale Onoloa from the list after testimony that it no longer operates as a timeshare. The committee’s final roll call on 26‑110 as amended recorded 6 ayes, 2 noes and 1 excused member; the measure will now advance to the planning commission for formal review.