LAHAINA, Hawaii (Island News) -- The road to recovery for Lahaina includes more roads.

The first private property has been acquired by Maui County for additional public roads, but this work to expand street connectors and road extensions in Lahaina could take a decade to finish.

The demand for more roads in Lahaina is not just about reducing traffic, but about increasing evacuation routes in case fire sweeps through again - like it did in 2023.

"It's is very important. The fire itself showed Lahaina is in desperate need of a modernization of evacuation routes and ways to get out," said Senator Angus McKelvey.

Maui County is buying up property in Lahaina in order to extend or widen existing roads, and even install new streets.

"The first one we've been working on from the Department of Public Works has been our Aki Street connector. And that parcel of land has been acquired from the property owner," said Jordan Molina, Maui County Dept. of Public Works Director.

Last week, the Maui County Council also approved money for the Dickerson Street extension.

Those are smaller projects, while the Kahua Street extension will stretch 2 miles and not only have 2 travel lanes but also turn lanes at major intersections.

But with big projects come big timelines.

"Generally, these things, these projects, take one to two years to get the design and permitting process. Then anywhere from three to five years to construct. So we're probably looking at these roads being in operation somewhere in four to seven years or so, depending on complications with permitting, environmental reviews, etc." said Molina.

"We passed some bills this year that I hope will speed up the permitting process, especially if a special management area is needed - that these exemptions will kick in. I'm hopeful that we can follow up through both the county and state level with executive orders or other mechanisms to try to eliminate as much of the permitting as possible," added Mckelvey.

More properties are expected to be acquired this year, but adding more roads comes at a high cost.

"It'll be in the range of $30-80 million. Because that's inclusive of not just your roadway, but your underground utilities with water, sewer that may be needed. A lot of facilities come with a roadway that cause those costs to be high," stated Molina.

Depending on what is found once they start digging, it could slow things down further.

But many are excited these street developments will put Hawaii on the road to a safer future.

"It's a way forward through the storm to provide a safer community for Lahaina. Hopefully, as you've seen in Waianae and other areas, that will spur efforts to look at this type of effort in other neighborhoods, and other areas where this fire risk is very present," said McKelvey.