This bill has been advocated by Maui Tomorrow for years. The bill is a compromise from what Maui Tomorrow wanted but MT is supporting it since it protects homeowners from the kinds of incidents such as those being killed by falling boulders on ‘Oahu.
According to the Ilima Loomis article in the Maui News
The Maui County Council on Friday gave initial approval to a bill that would set additional requirements for developers building near hillsides and steep slopes.
Maui County Council Member Elle Cochran said the proposal was meant to protect homeowners from “geological and hydrological hazards.” The bill was modeled on similar legislation passed in Honolulu after several homes were damaged by falling boulders. On Maui, Wailuku Heights residents objected when a developer began grading property up-slope from them.
“A recent development of hillside areas has raised community concerns about potential rockfall,” Cochran said.
