The Conversation

Gov. Josh Green on housing Maui fire survivors and improving homeless services

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Catherine Cruz

Published December 21, 2023 at 4:04 PM HST

Gov. Josh Green said he wants 3,000 condos and homes that are normally rented to Maui tourists converted to long-term housing for displaced wildfire survivors who are now living in hotels. Green said he’s prepared to use the “hammer” of post-fire emergency orders to make sure owners of short-term vacation rentals extend them to long-term units if enough spaces aren't converted voluntarily by mid-January. (Dec. 15, 2023) — Gov. Josh Green said he wants 3,000 condos and homes that are normally rented to Maui tourists converted to long-term housing for displaced wildfire survivors who are now living in hotels. (Dec. 15, 2023)

For the past few months, Gov. Josh Green has spoken to The Conversation monthly about his administration's latest work and what's ahead.

Recent news includes former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann taking the helm at the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority as board chair, and veteran lawmaker John Mizuno taking over from James Koshiba as the state's homeless coordinator.

Green talked Thursday about housing Maui's displaced families — and a possible moratorium on short-term rentals to make that happen. Hotel workers rallied Wednesday afternoon for permanent housing not far from where homeless families are set up on the beach under the banner — "Fishing for Housing."

With New Year's Eve right around the corner, Green ended this month's check-in by responding to a listener's concerns about illegal fireworks.

This story aired on The Conversation on Dec. 21, 2023. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.

Past check-ins with Gov. Josh Green on The Conversation:

Office of Gov. Josh Green

Gov. Josh Green on holding the military accountable for Red Hill in the long term

Catherine Cruz

Gov. Josh Green spoke to The Conversation about the joint response to Red Hill and the housing demands of displaced Maui families.
Office of Gov. Josh Green

Gov. Josh Green on displaced Maui families and the Israel-Hamas war

Catherine Cruz

Gov. Josh Green spoke to The Conversation about a program to provide some $50 million in aid to families for everything from buying cars to paying rent. He also shared his thoughts on the situation in Gaza and Israel, where some of his relatives still live.
Rick Bowmer/AP

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AP

Gov. Green on planning for future climate disasters and reopening West Maui

Catherine Cruz

Gov. Josh Green just returned from a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals summit in New York where he spoke about the challenges of climate change and recovering from the Maui fires.
Office of Gov. Josh Green

Gov. Josh Green discusses emergency fire sirens and what to expect moving forward

Catherine Cruz

As crews continue to identify victims of the Lāhainā wildfire, Gov. Josh Green spoke with The Conversation to provide updates on recovery efforts, share his thoughts on the Emergency Alarm System and discuss the recent reassignment of the Water Commission deputy director.