A Hawaii National Guardsman mans a checkpoint on Lahainaluna Road on Sept. 14. Maui County is beginning the process of allowing residents to access their properties. Kaniau Road Zone 1C is the first zone to be cleared for reentry; residents must apply for passes at the Lahaina Civic Center for entry on Monday and Tuesday. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
The Maui News
Residents of Kaniau Road in Lahaina will be allowed to return to their properties starting next week, Maui County announced.
Kaniau Road in Zone 1C is the first zone to be cleared for reentry as the county begins the long process of bringing back residents to check on their homes and find some closure following last month’s wildfires that destroyed much of the town.
“The process to clear each zone for re-entry is a complex one to ensure we do all we can to maximize public safety and well-being as residents access a disaster area that contains hazardous conditions,” Darryl Oliveira, interim administrator for the Maui Emergency Management Agency, said in a news release Wednesday evening.
A total of 17 primary zones and 83 sub-zones have been established for the 2,170 acres in the 5-mile Lahaina impact area. Residential areas must undergo safety reviews and authorization by county, state and federal agencies and utilities before reentry can be granted.
A screenshot of the MauiRecovers.org website shows Kaniau Road Zone 1C, which will open for residential reentry starting Monday. Residents can apply for passes at the Lahaina Civic Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Screenshot of MauiRecovers.org
County-issued vehicle passes will be required to gain access to a reopened zone. Two vehicle passes will be available to property owners and two vehicle passes will be available per rental dwelling. Once a zone is announced for reentry, property owners and tenants in the zone can apply in person to verify their ownership or occupancy and pick up their vehicle passes. At that time, optional personal protective equipment will be distributed. Owners and residents with passes may bring anyone they choose in their vehicles.
Vehicle pass applications and on-site distribution will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Owners and residents of Kaniau Road who secure vehicle passes will be allowed to enter the area from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
All roadways to access zones will be clear for residents and owners. During the first two days of reentry, access to Kaniau Road off Honoapiilani Highway will be right-turn only. After Tuesday, entry will continue for local traffic only.
“The re-entry process is designed for those who have a need to return to their properties and homes, and out of respect for all they have suffered, residents in the re-opened zone will be granted first access to their property with a high level of support during the first two days of re-entry including water, shade, washing stations, portable toilets, medical and mental health care, MauiBus transportation from local hotel shelters and language assistance,” Oliveira said.
The following documents may be used to verify property ownership or occupancy to receive a pass:
• Property deed or title clearly showing the resident’s name as the property owner.
• Bills for utilities such as electricity, water or gas, addressed to the resident’s name and property address. These bills should be recent and show consistent usage.
• Property tax records that list the resident as the property owner. To access county tax records, visit www.mauipropertytax.com.
• Lease agreement with the renter’s name, landlord’s name and property address.
• Hawaii driver’s license with the resident’s current address.
• Vehicle registration that can show the property address.
• Voter registration card listing the resident’s address in Lahaina.
• Financial statements sent to the resident’s Lahaina address.
As zones are deemed ready for reentry, announcements will be issued at www.mauirecovers.org, as well as through news releases, the county said.
Parcels declared ready for reentry have undergone inspections by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for hazardous materials, the Maui County Highways Division for road access safety, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for structural safety, the Maui County Department of Water Supply for water quality and sewer functions, and safety inspections of electric and gas lines by Hawaiian Electric and Hawaii Gas.
Reentry plans will be subject to weather conditions and may be adjusted or changed should conditions warrant.
“As we make our way through the tragedy of the disaster, this managed re-entry process will give residents a chance to have some closure,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release. “We know how much this means to those affected and I’m grateful that agencies from the County, State and Federal levels — as well as numerous nonprofit groups — have worked nonstop to be able to reach this significant stage.”
Information on safely returning to a property, drinking water and wastewater, maps and data, fire debris removal, recovery phases, financial and housing assistance and business support are also available at www.mauirecovers.org.
A screenshot of the MauiRecovers.org website shows Kaniau Road Zone 1C, which will open for residential reentry starting Monday. Residents can apply for passes at the Lahaina Civic Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Screenshot of MauiRecovers.org 
A Hawaii National Guardsman mans a checkpoint on Lahainaluna Road on Sept. 14. Maui County is beginning the process of allowing residents to access their properties. Kaniau Road Zone 1C is the first zone to be cleared for reentry; residents must apply for passes at the Lahaina Civic Center for entry on Monday and Tuesday. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photoToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqecsKtfobykrctmpZ6vo2R%2FcX6SaGdyZ5aev7TAjLOmp51drLatuIyrnKiolaN6tbuMpZihmZmjrm6%2BxKygnZ2eqcBuusSxq2avlZq4cA%3D%3D