“There isn’t a lot of built environment left,” said SHPD administrator Jessica Puff. “So, the main thing that we’re talking about is how can we move projects forward quickly while doing our due diligence to keep an eye out for any archaeology or, more importantly, iwi (human remains), that may be revealed during the construction process.”

SHPD is considering developing “sensitivity maps” and a single archaeological monitoring plan that all residential and commercial property owners can use so they don’t have to develop and pay for individual ones.

Puff said sensitivity maps “help predict the likelihood of property owners encountering iwi and whether or not further archaeological or cultural monitoring would be required.”

“So, when a project comes to us for review, we can easily determine the likelihood of someone encountering those issues,” she said.

The division is working with Maui County on how to plan and develop the mechanisms that will allow the county to determine the likelihood of encountering iwi or historic properties. Puff said they are considering a filtering mechanism that would allow projects that have a low probability of uncovering iwi or cultural or historic artifacts to bypass SHPD, leaving only those with the highest likelihood to be subject to SHPD review.

Puff said some permit applications have been slowed because the county has flagged them or because iwi was detected on an adjoining property. 

Some reviews are being completed within a couple of weeks, she said.

“We’re communicating directly with applicants, as needed, to help walk them through the process and how to submit their projects to us in completed form,” Puff said.