Preserving Maui’s Most Cherished Places

By Wendy Osher

The Pi'ilanihale Heiau on Maui is among the many Historic and culutrally sigificant sites in the state. Members of the General Plan Committee are currently reveiwing policites for the appropriate protection and preservation of Maui's vast aray of historic, cultural and enviromental assets. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Members of the Council’s General Plan Committee today will begin discussion on Chapter 2 of the Maui Island Plan.  The section focuses on the establishment of policies to appropriately preserve Maui’s most cherished places and things.

Committee Chair Gladys Baisa said, “This next chapter is vital because heritage resources truly define the Island of Maui and its people, past, present and future.”

The Committee already approved of the first chapter of the 10 chapter draft document.  The 432-page plan, when complete, will establish Maui’s first growth boundaries, as well as policies and values to guide the county in its decision making for the next two decades.

“The new Council has made outstanding progress in reviewing the voluminous and essential Maui Island Plan since taking office in January,” said Baisa.  She noted that today’s meeting will be the last General Plan Committee meeting until June, because of the Council’s budget session, which will take over the Chamber over the next few months.

Today’s meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  Baisa urged members of the public to consider testifying only on issues relating to heritage resources that includes cultural, historical and environmental assets.