Maui Real Estate

Aug: 14

New Development Projects on Maui

The Maui Planning Commission held an open meeting for West Maui residents at the Lahaina Civic Center in order to discuss the current Maui Island Plan. Essentially, two developments were the topic of discussion: the anticipated new town at Olowalu and the Maui Land & Pineapple’s staff-housing project at Pulelehua. Indeed, these projects have been the topic of hot debate as some residents are concerned about the size of the projects. Unlike other projects which have received little attention, like the development of Wainee and Kaanapali 2020, hundreds of residents came out to Lahaina to discuss the possible addition of 5 to 6 thousand new homes in West Maui over the next 2 decades.

New Maui Real Estate Development Projects

While the projects are designed to keep up with population growth, many West Maui natives are concerned about excess development as the island may not be a sustainable locale for such expansion. The Maui Island Plan, as it is commonly known, may tax existing infrastructure making highways, beaches, parks, and schools overburdened. Currently, many of these infrastructure issues are already causing a stir as some classes are required to meet in make-shift buildings and even now traffic is a major concern of residents. Protesters to the development argue that the addition of 6,000 new homes would be far too much for the community to handle. Commissioners are being asked to consider the impact of this development on jobs, traffic, schools, and other community resources.

Other residents are looking for protection in their own communities. For example, Honolua home owners do not want more development in their area and are asking for the urban-growth border to end at Kaanapali making a distinct division between developed and undeveloped areas. The marine environment seems to be one of the leading factors with regards to this development. As it stands, certain areas of Honolua are under a great deal of stress and urbanization needs to be limited in order to protect marine life. Meanwhile, representatives from the Maui Pineapple Co. argue that Honolua is a fertile agricultural area that can support a number of diversified crops. Protecting agricultural lands also appears to be a major issue in this debate.

A few testifiers support growth in Kaanapali 2020 as well as the expansion of Wainee in future developments. These projects have continued with participation from the community and developers and would provide much needed low-income housing in areas rich with good schools, parks, jobs, and infrastructure. However, development at Olowalu continues to be one of the most highly debated in the planning process. The project is displaced from existing jobs and located along a very busy highway. As such, infrastructure would clearly need to be further developed to support residence. Residents fear that development will exacerbate problems that are already arising and appear to benefit property owners and developers without considering the effects on residents. In fact, Maui Tomorrow evaluated many proposed projects with regards to location, infrastructure, and affordable housing and the Olowalu project received some of the lowest grades. It is argued that due to a lack of affordable housing and a location that is far from jobs this project will cause far too much stress in the area.

However some residents are supporting the project. Housing and employment would certainly come to the area and some people are frustrated that the Maui Planning Commission is not listening to their needs. Various planners and residents of Olowalu village have long supported the project as they look forward to the employment opportunities that will certainly follow development. The general Plan Advisory Committee has recommended building 1,500 new homes on an area covering roughly 300 acres of Olowalu but the Planning Department appears only willing to allow for the development of a small area, a few businesses, and about 100 new homes.

Like Olowalu, development in Pulelehua has also been the topic of hot debate. County planners were hoping for a development project assigning 280 acres for building about 1,150 new homes while the General Plan Advisory Committee prefers a smaller project allowing 116 acres for 696 new homes. Some buyers have been disturbed by the amount of time it is taking for this project to gain approval. Many developers and residents alike feel this project is long overdue. The need for affordable housing in the area seems to warrant development. Moreover, the infrastructure is much better in the area. The development is near existing jobs which would reduce the amount of commuting and could possibly improve some poor traffic areas. Also, developers have been discouraged from making their case. While the Maui Planning Commission organized a meeting specifically for developers to present their ideas, they also asked developers to avoid future Planning Commission meetings.

The Maui Planning Commission will continue toward a final decision in the matters of Olowalu and Pulelehua developments but it seems both sides of the issue are not confident that their concerns have been heard.

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