stock here: a ton of meetings, weekly or more often. Many on YouTube with transcript.
https://intercom.help/mauirecovers/en/collections/9690480-community-meetings
Shameful though only 81 views on this.
AI summary of the transcript
Here’s a summary of key points from the October 30 Lahaina recovery meeting:
Introduction and Prayer: The meeting began with logistical information about facilities and a prayer for the community's healing and support.
Updates and Resources:
Attendees were reminded to use 211 for disaster case management.
Photos and information were shared from recent events, including a blessing ceremony at K Village.
An open house for the long-term recovery plan took place with 200 people in attendance. The plan covers 40 projects, and feedback can be provided online.
Upcoming Events:
A community meeting on a proposed 16-acre school site in the Lahaina area is scheduled for November 19.
Other future agenda items include cultural monitoring of debris clearing and updates from All Hands and Hearts on ineligible debris removal.
Ongoing Programs:
FEMA presented its rental assistance and direct housing programs, explaining eligibility, timelines, and conditions. Some programs require financial review every 30 days, and rent payments for FEMA-provided housing will start on March 1, 2025.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) outlined available low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits, as well as deadlines for applying.
Temporary Debris Site (TDS):
Air quality, water monitoring, and other environmental checks are ongoing at the TDS. Plans are in place to safely move debris to a permanent site starting around 2025, using upgraded routes to minimize traffic impact.
The TDS will eventually be restored to its original state.
Community Concerns:
Residents expressed frustration with housing and rental assistance formulas, specifically HUD fair market rent rates, which many feel are inadequate given the high local cost of housing. They voiced concerns that policies are unsustainable, forcing them to dip into rebuilding funds to cover living costs.
Suggestions were made for FEMA to revisit these formulas and engage HUD in potentially adjusting fair market rent rates to better align with Maui’s unique housing challenges.
FEMA and SBA Responses:
FEMA representatives emphasized their programs’ legal limitations but assured attendees that individual cases are reviewed for potential additional support.
The SBA reminded attendees of additional assistance options for various disaster recovery needs.
Community Input: Residents called for FEMA and other agencies to take immediate legislative steps to address the unique housing challenges and provide more flexibility in policies to prevent further displacement.This summary captures the main themes discussed, with community members urging FEMA and other authorities to advocate for policy adjustments that address specific local needs.