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SCR 179

URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE CODE OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI RELATING TO FIRE HAZARDS, BRUSH CLEARANCE, FUEL BREAKS, ROADSIDE VEGETATION CLEARING, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 5 co-sponsors

Maui County should vigorously enforce updated Fire Code provisions on vegetation management, fuel breaks, and emergency access to reduce wildfire risk.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 862).
#brushclearance #emergencyaccess #firecode #firehazards #fuelbreaks #mauicounty #roadsidevegetationclearing
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Bill Summary · SCR 179

Summary of SCR 179 (2026) – Hawaii: Urging Maui County to Enforce Fire Code Provisions

Purpose and Intent

  • SCR 179 urges the County of Maui to actively enforce the Fire Code provisions adopted in December 2024 that relate to exterior vegetation management, fire hazards, brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access.
  • The resolution emphasizes the ongoing risk of wildfire in West Maui, particularly in areas around Lahaina, temporary housing sites for wildfire survivors, and major evacuation corridors.
  • The resolution seeks to ensure timely compliance from property owners and other parties with control over hazardous properties to reduce fire risk and preserve access for evacuation and emergency response.

Key Provisions and Changes Invoked by the Bill

  • Focus areas mandated for enforcement:
    • Fire hazards
    • Brush clearance (brush clearance requirements)
    • Fuel breaks
    • Roadside vegetation clearing
    • Emergency access requirements
  • Specific Maui Fire Code references (as amended in December 2024):
    • Definition and authority related to “brush,” “clearance,” “fire hazard,” “fuel break,” “property,” “structure,” and “vegetation.”
    • Fire Chief authority to order vegetation removal or clearance when vegetation constitutes a fire hazard.
    • Brush clearance standards:
    • A requirement for owners/occupants/controls to maintain brush clearance between 30 and 100 feet from structures, depending on vegetation height.
    • For lots of one-half acre or less, brush must be cleared to less than 18 inches across the entire lot when violations exist.
    • Fuel breaks on plots larger than one-half acre adjacent to structures.
    • Vegetation removal near roof lines and chimneys.
    • Authority to clear combustible vegetation along portions of highways and private streets to protect life and property.
  • Enforcement emphasis:
    • The bill urges Maui County to use all available inspection, notice, citation, abatement, and enforcement tools under county law to obtain timely compliance.
    • Prioritization for enforcement on:
    • Large parcels
    • Parcels adjacent to residential communities
    • Parcels near temporary housing sites for wildfire survivors
    • Parcels along major evacuation corridors
    • Parcels where vegetation or obstructions to access routes heighten risk

Who/What is Affected

  • Property owners and persons in control of properties within Maui County, especially:
    • Large landowners and large unmanaged parcels
    • Parcels adjacent to residential areas and temporary housing sites
    • Parcels bordering major evacuation routes
  • County entities involved in enforcement:
    • Maui Fire Department (Fire Chief)
    • Maui Office/Administrator relevant to Emergency Management and enforcement
  • The resolution targets areas where vegetation management directly impacts emergency ingress/egress and firefighting access.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative action: Concurrent resolution adopted by both chambers (Hawaii Senate and House) in 2026.
  • Status history indicates passage through both houses and referral to and from committees (Public Safety, Health, and Agriculture and Ways and Means/State and Federal relations implied by committees) with standard parliamentary processing.
  • The resolution acts as an urging, not a mandate, encouraging Maui County to actively enforce existing Fire Code provisions rather than creating new legal duties.
  • Transmittal:
    • Certified copies to Maui’s Mayor, Fire Chief, Maui Emergency Management Administrator, and Maui County Council Chair.

Bottom Line

SCR 179 is a formal urging measure urging Maui County to vigorously enforce the updated Fire Code provisions on exterior vegetation management, fuel breaks, and emergency access. It prioritizes high-risk parcels and corridors to reduce wildfire risk and protect housing sites and evacuation routes, leveraging existing enforcement tools to achieve timely compliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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