RESOURCES and white papers

Maui Nui Empowered publishes white papers that help residents, community leaders, and policymakers better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Maui County. Each paper takes on a key local issue such as housing, sustainability, economic recovery, or community planning, and breaks it down into clear facts, practical solutions, and stories from people directly affected. The goal is to make complex policy topics accessible and to spark informed discussion about Maui’s future. These white papers reflect the values of collaboration and transparency, showing how community voices and data can work together to guide fair, balanced decisions that strengthen Maui Nui for generations to come.

READ OUR WHITE PAPERS BELOW:

Published September, 2025

Lessons Learned: Case Studies of Housing Policies That Worked and Those That Didn’t

Lessons Learned: Case Studies of Housing Policies That Worked and Those That Didn’t analyzes six U.S. cities to understand how different zoning and housing strategies affect affordability. It finds that restrictive policies such as San Francisco’s drawn-out permitting, Santa Monica’s 30% affordability mandates, and Lakewood’s 1% growth cap stifled construction and drove up costs, while pro-housing reforms in Minneapolis, Houston, and Los Angeles expanded supply and stabilized rents. Minneapolis’ elimination of single-family zoning, Houston’s flexible land-use system, and Los Angeles’ streamlined ADU and transit-oriented development rules collectively demonstrate that easing barriers, right-sizing mandates, and allowing density can restore affordability. The report concludes that Maui can adapt these lessons by removing regulatory obstacles, planning for growth, and balancing cultural and environmental priorities with pragmatic housing expansion.

Published May, 2025

Addressing Maui’s Housing Shortage: Zoning, Supply Restrictions, and the Case for Deregulation

Addressing Maui’s Housing Shortage: Zoning, Supply Restrictions, and the Case for Deregulation, examines how restrictive zoning, slow permitting, and excessive affordability mandates have deepened Maui’s housing crisis. It finds that only 20% of households can now afford a median-priced home, with Maui’s rents the highest in the state. The report argues that policies such as long deed restrictions and high affordable-unit requirements, like the former 50% mandate that nearly halted construction, have deterred development. It recommends reforming Title 19 to allow mixed-use housing, streamlining permits through a one-stop fast-track system, and recalibrating affordability requirements to balance incentives and viability. The report concludes that restoring affordability requires dismantling regulatory barriers, expanding diverse housing supply, and creating a predictable system that enables local families to live and thrive on Maui.

Published April, 2025

Momentum for Maui Nui Maui County Council: Taking Action, Delivering Results (2023–2025)

Between 2023 and 2025, the Maui County Council’s five-member majority led by Chair Alice Lee advanced affordable housing, rebuilt infrastructure, and strengthened disaster recovery after the Lahaina wildfires. Key initiatives included the Waikapū workforce housing project, senior housing through Nā Hale Kūpuna, and streamlined post-fire building permits under Bill 21. The Council passed a $1.07 billion fiscally responsible budget, supported sustainable tourism and water-use reforms, conserved parklands, and created a dedicated Office of Recovery funded with over $20 million. Through pragmatic 5–4 decisions balancing growth and community values, the majority earned broad public approval and reelection, leaving a legacy of compassionate, results-driven governance focused on housing, resilience, and environmental stewardship.