27-Acre Downtown Kihei Project Features Hotel

Proposed Downtown Kihei Project, view along Pi’ikea Avenue towards the hotel. Rendering produced for The Krausz Companies, Inc., prepared by Munekiyo & Hiraga, Inc.

By Wendy Osher

Land use entitlement approvals are being sought for the proposed 27-acre “Downtown Kihei” project on Pi’ikea Avenue in South Maui.

The proposed development features a 150-room, four-story select-services hotel, as well as space for businesses, medical offices, shops, a movie theater, and restaurants.

The proposed Downtown Kihei project is partitioned by Pi’ikea Avenue into a southern and northern development consisting of a total of 13 retail and commercial buildings and a hotel.

The Draft Environmental Assessment, filed by The Krausz Companies, Inc., is for the development of four parcels of vacant land.

The property is bordered to the west by the Longs Drugs Kihei Center and Azeka Shopping Center Mauka; to the north by Yee’s mango orchard; to the east by the Piilani Village Shopping Center; and to the south by various commercial and business centers including the Haggai Institute.

The site plan incorporates a village square and promenades to encourage pedestrian and non-vehicular movement.

Primary access to the development would be via Pi’ikea Avenue, with secondary access via Liloa Drive.

It is noted that on the south side of Pi’ikea Avenue, an enhanced wetland, identified as Parcel 080, will not be developed. Similarly, the enhanced wetland area identified as Parcel 030, to the north of Pi’ikea Avenue will not be developed either.

A 30-day public comment period on the project’s Draft Environmental Assessment runs through Nov. 23, 2012.