We heard you in 2012 when a huge mall was proposed for the open land just south of the Shell station in North Kihei. At the time, public officials said it was “already decided.” Maui Tomorrow and allies took action and went to the State Land Use Commission (LUC). We asked them to decide if a giant commercial center was the same as the low-key light industrial park approved in 1995. The LUC ruled that the two projects weren’t the same. The landowners then asked to revise the project to allow the mall and did an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was short on facts. The LUC turned down the EIS, agreeing with Maui Tomorrow and the community that it didn’t reveal what was actually planned for the site. Over the last few years, various drawings have been shown at community meetings, and we were asked by the LUC to try to negotiate a settlement with the landowners and agree on an acceptable plan. This process did not succeed.
Now the landowners have asked the LUC to simply dismiss the case, because they claim that they are going to build a project that is the same as what was promised to the LUC and approved in 1995. We still donʻt know exactly what theyʻre planning, and we want the LUC to weigh in and define it better, so that we donʻt wind up with another big commercial project that the community doesn’t support.
We need your help once again. Please testify at the online LUC hearing Wednesday, July 8 at 9 am. You may view the meeting agenda here.
In your testimony, please ask the LUC not to dismiss Maui Tomorrow from the Kaʻonoʻulu case, because:
- The community still doesn’t know what the developer wants to build. Ask the Land Use Commission to follow through on their 2013 decision describing why a large retail complex was not acceptable; this will provide guidance to the County and Maui’s citizens regarding what is permitted.
- The last thing that is needed right now is for this land to be flattened to build more empty commercial buildings that would send lots more stormwater into nearby gulches and ocean waters, flooding our roadways in the process.
You will need to register in advance to testify online.
Mahalo for helping Maui Tomorrow to protect our community plans!