Save Maui’s North Shore: Community Meeting 2/13

Overlooking Ho’okipa Beach from Old Maui High. Photo by Nahinu Freitas

On Maui’s north shore, recent developments in land allocation have created a fair bit of controversy. On Dec. 20, 2016, a sale of 339 acres of former Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. land was made to EC Paia LLC. The parcel of land was sold for an estimated $9.9 million, which is roughly $29,000 per acre. This development company is based out of San Ramon, California.

A related company TEACH LLC, has been attempting to acquire the 23 acre Old Maui High School campus lease for a 60 year term. Some in the community have voiced concern over what they call a lack of community outreach and engagement to discuss the future of this land.

Mark Chansen, the owner of TEACH LLC, has scheduled a community meeting for Monday, Feb. 13, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. at the Pāʻia community center.

As stated on the petition page, “Hamakuapoko is home to traditional fishermen, surfers, makaʻāinana (citizens), and elders who have worked hard their entire lives. Old Maui High campus sits just above the famous Hoʻokipa Beach. We have watched tourism, real estate, and commercialism grow beyond our infrastructure and resource capacity. Allowing a developer to operate the Old Maui High School campus for profit would significantly impact the surrounding families and communities.”

More information is available at the online petition site.