April 2024: ALOHA from the PWA. In our latest update we’re going to address two different developments:

1: The Hale Mahaolu project of MEO and 2: The Wailuku Residential Community, projected to be approximately 752 residential units. The PWA has been opposing this project now for several years.

Firstly, regarding the MEO property, the county council Housing and Land Use Committee has moved the project forward to the full county council. They have ignored title claims, environmental claims, and sustainable agricultural issues and want to urbanize the land. The Maui County Counsel Planning Committee has also rejected legitimate land swap offers. Therefore, before the Council meeting and voting to move this parcel into urban zoning, the local native Hawaiian Kanaka, who claim title ownership and all residents in the Waiehu-Waihee area will be staging a sign-waving demonstration the day before the council meeting. The PWA will keep you informed, and we recommend you consider creating some signs now and plan on attending this Counsel meeting. In the interim, the PWA highly recommends you contact every council member, especially the ones that are voting for development, and tell them that you're a resident of the area and why you are opposed to urbanizing this parcel.     https://www.mauicounty.us/councilmembers/

Second, regarding The Wailuku Residential Community, a 752-unit development, that was previously being developed by the Genova Corporation and that which the PWA filed a complaint against  the developer and the county of Maui, this parcel was sold last July 2023. The parcel is now owned by DHHL, the department of Hawaiian Homelands who is planning on using local developer, Dowling Company to put in approximately 400 homes. This project is very much like the previously proposed development of Sterling Kim that was attempted in 2007.

Because DHHL will be using the original FEA (Final Environmental Assessment) that developer Genova conducted, the PWA’s complaint demanding a full EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) remains intact and it is currently in the appeals process. Legal briefs are being filed back and forth and a trial date is to be set later this summer. The informal surveys conducted by PWA continue to show that the community would rather keep that property in AG or low-density AG lots. This is what the PWA will continue to push for. The Dowling Company, who's been involved from the beginning with the DHHL plan, claims they will be conducting community meetings soon.  If that is the case, we highly recommend that everyone who can attend do so with signs or testimony attempting to keep from paving over this highly productive agricultural land.

Therefore, when you contact the Maui council members, we recommend that you clearly state your concerns and state that it is regarding both projects if that is your desire.

Finally, a petition saying the community’s objections to losing prime AG land will be circulated soon. The petition will be conducted over the entire area of Waiehu-Waihee, and if you want to participate in gaining signatures please contact, the PWA via email at pwamaui@gmail.com. Also, please sign the petition when it comes your way. The PWA will provide a link for an online petition to sign when that is available. Thank you for your ongoing interest. If the appeals process becomes long and drawn out, we will be putting together another round of fundraising to finish the appeal.

Thank you for your interest. 

Protect Waiehu Ahupua'a was created to use the power of education to advance environmental literacy, promote sustainable practices, protect natural resources and encourage civic engagement to create a more equitable and sustainable future for Waiehu Ahupua’a and Hawaii. We work with educators, policymakers, and partners throughout the state and world. 

Find more information on the location of the proposed Waiehu Residential Community here 

Why is the PWA concerned?  Previously, a California Developer and now DHHL & Local Dowling Development are trying to fast-track 752 homes along Kahekili Hwy. We support smart affordable housing but this is not pono - Not without a full Environmental Impact Statement! Imagine the impact of 50% more homes + traffic to our rural community and natural resources. 

Maui County says this will have no significant impact. We disagree!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact the Mayor’s office.

Contact all council members especially Tasha Kama, Chair of the Housing Committee

Stay tuned by signing up for our email list below.

Donate to our cause. 

Visit our TAKE ACTION page for details and contact information.

Contact: pwamaui@gmail.com 

Gail Nagasako, President PWA: 808-281-1549

Bobbie Parr, Vice President PWA: 808 250-8978