Master Planned Waiale Calls for 2,550 Residential Units

Waiale Master Plan map, photo courtesy PBR Hawaii & Associates Inc., & State of Hawaii FEIS document.

By Wendy Osher

A Final Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared and accepted for the Wai’ale residential and commercial development in Central Maui.

An estimated 2,550 residential units are proposed for the project, located along the Kuihelani Highway and west of Pomaikai Elementary School, the Legends, and Na Hoku Subdivisions.

The development also spans both sides of East Waiko Road closest to the Kuihelani Highway, and is bordered by the Waikapu Stream and Waikapu Dumpsite at its northern boundaries.

The project includes plans for 300 residents units within the approximately 50 acres to be contributed by the County of Maui as part of a Maui Planning Commission requirement for the Maui Business Park – Phase II project. Forty of those acres are for affordable housing, seven acres are for a community center, and three acres are for a neighborhood park.

In addition to retail, commercial space, and greenways, the project also calls for the preservation of archaeological features and lithified sand dunes.

Portions of the 545-acre proposed property are currently being used as fallow sugar cane fields, a plant nursery, cattle feed lot, sand stockpiles, and vacant land.

The project is proposed by A&B Properties, Inc., and is designed to provide both relief to the housing shortage and employment opportunities during development on the island.