$500,000 Secured for Lipoa Point

Aerial photograph of Līpoa Point, courtesy ML&P.

Governor David Ige has released $500,000 in critical funding for Līpoa Point, according to State Representative Angus McKelvey.

Rep. McKelvey tells us the $500,000, which was secured at the 11th hour of the last legislative session, will be used to not only begin the process of community planning but also to pay for much-needed maintenance and repairs to the Līpoa Point access road and other areas.

“I want to thank Gov. Ige for releasing these funds so that we can engage in the beginning stages of developing a community plan and also to ensure that access and safety is preserved for the public until the community can come together for unified vision of what Līpoa Point should be,” said McKelvey.

McKelvey said the state Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to use the funds to continue the maintenance work already being done including securing additional trash dumpsters, restoring the gravel lining on walking trails, placing additional barrier boulders on the main access road, and adding additional signage as needed.

For the community plan, McKelvey said that the state has already reached out to an experienced local consulting company to develop a plan that will ensure input from as many diverse groups of stakeholders as possible and that a consensus will be reached.

“With their assistance on it, I’m confident a roadmap towards creating a process for a truly representative community plan can be achieved,” McKelvey said, adding that besides the public, many groups that were essential for securing the purchase of Lipoa Point will also be involved.

“The future of Honolua Bay and Līpoa Point is and always has been about the community. We want to thank the governor for releasing these funds so that we can truly build a community plan for this important resource and also to provide the means necessary to keep Līpoa Point safe and open for all people until such time as a plan can be realized and implemented.”

McKelvey said he is hopeful that by working with the DLNR and the Maui legislative delegation additional funds will be secured to build upon the work that this funding provides.