Piʻilani Partners to Host Talk Story Sessions on Planned Development

Piʻilani Promenade site photos courtesy: Xamanek Researchers LLC and Malama Environmental LLC, contained in EIS document prepared by Chris Hart and Partners, Inc.

By Wendy Osher

Developers for the proposed Piʻilani Promenade in South Maui are requesting comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement they filed for a mixed-use development in Kīhei.

In an effort to expand the comment process, Piʻilani Partners announced that it will host “Talk Story” sessions with selected individuals who provide comment and varying views.

“The schedule will depend on the rate of draft EIS responses. As they come we will respond and look for comments in similar areas, such as traffic, etc. Then we would gather four to five people who have given a comment in  the area of traffic and have our traffic consultant at that meeting to hear their concerns directly and see if there is a way to address them,” said Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez, a media representative.

“Tentatively, we could begin in late September and continue into late October,” said Blackburn-Rodriguez, noting that the sessions would be held in Kīhei.

In announcing the talk story sessions, Charlie Jencks, owner’s representative commented in a press release saying, “The opportunity for people to expand upon their comments continues our efforts at community outreach as we develop our scaled-back mixed-use light industrial, retail and housing project makai of the Piʻilani Highway.  Public participation is key to good planning strategy,” he said.

The project calls for the development of a mix of light industrial and business/commercial uses with approximately 226 apartment units on 75 acres of land mauka of the Piʻilani Highway in North Kīhei.

The project site is adjacent to the Kīhei Commercial Center to the north, Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch to the south, Piʻilani Highway to the west, and ranch land to the east extending up to Kula.

The Draft EIS is subject to a 45-day public review and comment period that runs through October 7^th.

Organizations that are accepting comments include:

• The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Land Use Commission, P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu 96804-2359;
• Chris Hart & Partners Inc., 115 N. Market Street, Wailuku, Wailuku 96793; and
• Piʻilani Promenade North LLC and Piilani Promenade South LLC, c/o Sarofim Realty Advisors, 8115 Preston Road, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75225.