Update Process
The process to update the West Maui Community Plan took place between July 2017 and December 2021 and consisted of five phases. All information related to this comprehensive update process can be viewed below.
Phase I: Research
Resource Papers
These resource papers provided a snapshot of West Maui’s existing conditions, and highlighted future needs, key challenges, and potential strategies and actions that could be pursued in the drafting of the updated Plan.
With an expanding population and changing land uses, it is critically important to plan ahead for safe and efficient movement and access for residents and visitors. This paper addresses transportation and mobility in West Maui, including existing conditions, the regulatory, programmatic and policy framework, and challenges and opportunities. The paper also covers roads, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian modes of mobility.
The way we use land today along with the needs of future generations influence the way we plan for land uses in the West Maui Community Plan. After years of utilizing the out-dated approach of separating land uses in West Maui, this community is facing a jobs-housing imbalance, traffic congestion and a housing affordability crisis. This paper explores existing land uses, available lands for future development, land use challenges and potential strategies to address them in West Maui.
The West Maui Community Profile provides a snapshot of the economy, the residents and the workers in West Maui. The profile focuses on demographic information including population, ethnicity, and education, economic data regarding West Maui businesses and employment, as well as data on transportation and housing. It also information on West Maui infrastructure, such as water and wastewater, as well as land use information showing such items as maps, current land uses, zoning, and parks.
West Maui is home to the county’s strongest tourism economy and half of Maui’s accommodations and food services jobs. The heavy emphasis on visitor industry leaves West Maui vulnerable during an economic downturn and many of these jobs do not pay enough to accommodate the already high cost of living in Maui. In 1996, the West Maui Community Plan set a goal of having a stable, diversified economy. More than 20 years later, the community still has a long way to go. This paper examines the economy in West Maui including a summary of existing conditions and past planning efforts, and considers possible actions to take in the future.
Parks are an integral part of a community’s fabric. They are more than just places for kids to play and families to celebrate events. A robust parks system makes a community healthier and a more desirable place to live, while insulating it against the effects of climate change and providing space to create connections. This paper explores the current status of the parks system in West Maui and identifies strategies that could be utilized in the future to help make West Maui’s parks system meet the needs of future generations.
During the last update to the West Maui Community Plan in 1996, we were only just beginning to learn about climate change and how it could affect Maui County in the future. Since then, the islands have started experiencing the effects of climate change in the form of rising sea levels with higher tides, roadway overwash and erosion, more frequent and higher intensity storms and many other issues. West Maui is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to the amount of development and infrastructure immediately adjacent to the shoreline. This paper covers the current and expected future impacts of climate change, key challenges for residents and businesses in West Maui, and potential strategies to consider implementing.
Planning for housing that is affordable for all income levels is critical to ensuring a bright future for West Maui residents. Housing affordability is generally defined as housing costs that consume 30% or less of a household’s income. Currently, West Maui lacks adequate housing for low-to-moderate wage earners due to a number of factors, some of which can be addressed during the Community Plan update process. Building a variety of housing types – single-family, ohana, duplexes, townhouses, etc. – would better serve the diverse needs of West Maui households and give people more choices about where to live. This paper explores the subject of housing in West Maui including existing conditions, challenges, and best practices.
In the next 20 years, resident and visitor populations are projected to increase and uncertain climate conditions will place added pressure on water. Balanced stewardship of water resources is essential to ensure clean water for future generations while meeting our daily needs. Everyone who uses or provides water in West Maui will need to work together to manage the resource responsibly for the benefit of the community and the environment. This paper examines West Maui’s water resources, including current capacity, infrastructure and planned improvements, and identifies future challenges and needs.
Wastewater management is a vital aspect of planning for West Maui’s future. Proper treatment and disposal of wastewater protects our environment and ensures clean drinking water for generations to come. Nearly every new structure creates more wastewater. As demand for sewer increases and the County’s system ages, infrastructure maintenance, replacement, and upgrades will be needed to keep pace. This paper explores key challenges and strategies for wastewater treatment and water reuse in West Maui.
Historic resources are important elements of the community’s cultural identity, aesthetic and physical environment, economic diversity and sustainability, and overall quality of life that should be preserved for future generations. There are many challenges to preservation of historic resources within the existing historic and landmark districts in Lahaina such as commercial activity and maintenance of public properties. Other challenges are more widespread, affecting a number of areas in West Maui. This paper examines Maui County’s historic preservation program, existing historic resources in West Maui, and key challenges facing preservation of those resources. The paper also offers insight and possible actions to address these challenges.
The West Maui Mountains are more than just a beautiful backdrop to the developed places in West Maui. The deep valleys, gulches and ditch systems convey water mauka to makai, historically providing fertile and well irrigated ground for agriculture. With increased urbanization and a changing climate, however, we are experiencing more extreme weather causing greater flooding through communities and increased pollution from runoff that are impacting the reefs. This paper discusses the existing circumstances surrounding the drainage system in West Maui, key challenges we may experience in the future and are currently experiencing, and suggested strategies to consider as we plan for the future.
Additional Resources
Browse through a collection of resource information related to the West Maui Community Plan.
Learn more about the Community Planning process
- Maui County Charter (2017)
- Maui County Code Section 2.80B.070
- Community Planning Process Handbook
- What is a community plan?
- What is the West Maui Community Plan?
- Timeline
Learn more about Planning Topics
- West Maui Community Profile
- Transportation
- Infrastructure
- Coastal Resilience
- Land Use and Community Design
- Housing
Related General Plan documents
Background documents
- West Maui Community Plan (February 1996)
- West Maui Community Plan Map 1 of 2 (February 1996)
- West Maui Community Plan Map 2 of 2 (February 1996)
- Maui Short Range Transit Plan (April 2016)
- County of Maui Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (September 2016)
- Maui County Hazard Mitigation Plan (August 2015)
- M.C.C. Title 19 Zoning Audit by Orion Planning & Design, March 2018
- Maui Draft Land Use Forecast
Phase II: Public Engagement
View results of community engagement activities, meetings, workshops, open houses, focused group meetings, and interviews from 2016 through the early part of 2018.
Phase III: Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) Review
About the CPAC
The West Maui CPAC was a 13-member committee made up of West Maui residents appointed by the Maui County Council and Mayor to provide community input on the updated Draft West Maui Community Plan. Members were tasked with reviewing and recommending revisions to the updated Draft Plan, and provided guidance on local issues that influence the physical, social, and economic development of their community.
CPAC Members appointed by Maui County Council
- Joseph Aquino (No longer with CPAC as of 10/8/19)
- Ravi Bugga
- Yvette Celiz
- Karen Comcowich
- Donald Gerbig
- Angela Lucero (confirmed 12/6/19)
- Dawn Hegger-Nordblom
- Kai Nishiki
- Joseph Pluta
- Leilani Pulmano
CPAC Members appointed by Mayor Arakawa and confirmed by Mayor Victorino
- Jeri Dean
- Hans Michel
- Dylan Payne
- Aina Kohler
What are the roles and responsibilities of a CPAC member?
The following list gives you an idea of the roles and responsibilities of a CPAC member. This list should not be considered all inclusive.
- Review the Draft Plan and supporting documents and data.
- Develop recommendations for the Draft Plan.
- Elect a chair and vice chair.
- Attend meetings and workshops, prepared to participate (read materials prior to meetings).
- Comply with Rules of Practice and Procedure and the Sunshine Law.
- Coordinate with Planning Department staff.
- Listen to public testimony and serve the voice of the local community.
- Come with an open mind prepared to listen to all points of view.
- Be willing to compromise and address West Maui’s diverse community as equitably as possible.
What are the qualifications for being a CPAC member?
To be considered for appointment to the West Maui CPAC you must be a resident of the West Maui community plan area.
The County Council and the Mayor shall strive for diversity and balance of age, gender, background, profession, heritage, experience, and ideology in selection of a CPAC member. The County Council and the Mayor shall give priority to people who have strong connection to all parts of the corresponding community plan area and have expressed a strong commitment to participate in and attend all committee meetings (Maui County Code Chapter 2.80B.080, as amended).
Related Documents
CPAC Meeting Archive
The CPAC review process began on July 25, 2019 and concluded on May 19, 2020, with a total of 35 in-person meetings and two videoconference meetings. All meetings were open to the public. Videos of past meetings, along with agendas, meeting minutes, meeting materials and public testimony, can be found on the archive page below.
Phase IV: Maui Planning Commission (MPC) Review
About the MPC
The Maui Planning Commission meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
This Commission:
- Focuses on the area encompassing the island of Maui and the adjacent waters.
- Advises the Mayor, County Council, and Planning Director in matters concerning planning programs.
- Reviews the general plan and revisions thereof prepared by the Planning Director or at the request of the County Council, and after public hearings, transmits findings and recommendations to the County Council for consideration and action.
- Reviews other proposed land use ordinances and amendments prepared by the Planning Director or by the County Council, and after public hearings, transmits findings and recommendations to the County Council for consideration and action.
- Acts as the authority in all matters relating to the Coastal Zone Management Law.
- Adopts rules pursuant to land use ordinances or law.
Members:
- Lawrence Carnicelli – Chairperson (Kihei) 3/31/2021
- Christian Tackett – Vice Chairperson (Wailuku) 3/31/2022
- Stephen Castro, Sr. (Kahului) 3/31/2021
- Jerry Edlao – (Wailuku) 3/31/2022
- Kawika Freitas (Makawao) 3/31/2023
- Melvin Hipolito – (Makawao) 3/31/2025
- P. Denise La Costa (Lahaina) 3/31/2023
- Kellie Pali (Kihei) 3/31/2024
- Dale Thompson (Lahaina) 3/31/2025
MPC Meeting Archive
The MPC review process began on July 28, 2020 and concluded on December 8, 2020, with a total of 10 videoconference meetings. All meetings were open to the public. Videos of past meetings, along with agendas, meeting minutes, meeting materials and public testimony, can be found on the archive page below.
Phase V: Maui County Council Review
About the Council
The Maui County Council is a nine-member legislative body of officials who are elected on at-large basis (i.e., all County voters can cast votes for all nine seats), one each from nine residency areas. Each Council member is elected for a two-year term.
The Council responsible for reviewing and adopting the West Maui Community Plan was made up of the following members:
- Alice Lee, Council Chair
- Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Council Vice-Chair
- Tasha Kama, Presiding Officer Pro Tempore
- Gabe Johnson
- Kelly Takaya King
- Mike Molina
- Tamara Paltin
- Shane Sinenci
- Yuki Lei Sugimura
The Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committee (PSLU) included all nine members listed above, with Councilmember Tamara Paltin as Committee Chair and Councilmember Kelly Takaya King as Committee Vice Chair.
Duties of the PSLU Committee:
- Project-specific amendments of State land use district boundaries, the General Plan, community plans, and zoning designations, except District Boundary Amendments specific to expedited approvals of housing projects under Chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
- Other land use entitlements requiring Council review and approval, such as Conditional Permits.
- Land use ordinances not specific to a project, except amendments to the Parking Code.
- Processing procedures for the General Plan and community plans.
- Non-project-specific amendments to the General Plan and comprehensive community plan updates.
- Appointments to community plan advisory committees.
- Implementation of the digital mapping project.
- Oversight of the Department of Planning.
- Issues related to deferral agreements and land consolidation.
- Implementation of the following General Plan objective: Promote Sustainable Land Use and Growth Management.
Committee/Council Meeting Archive
Phase V began with a review by the Council’s Planning and Sustainable Land Use (PSLU) Committee on February 4, 2021. This review process lasted a total of 11 videoconference meetings and concluded on June 17, 2021. The Draft Plan was then reviewed and adopted by the full Council, a process that began on November 18, 2021 and concluded on December 17, 2021, with a total of three videoconference meetings. All meetings were open to the public. Videos of past meetings, along with agendas, meeting minutes, meeting materials and public testimony, can be found on the archive page below.
