Ask the Mayor: What Happened to the Shoreline Access Signs at Olowalu?

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff.

Shoreline at Olowalu. PC: Asa Ellison

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Aloha Mayor:

Q: I could have sworn that there used to be “Shoreline Access” signs at Olowalu across from the General Store (where Olowalu Plantation House is) and at the old Camp Pecusa (now the Camp Olowalu).

Now that both areas are private property, I noticed I no longer see any signs indicating a public right-of-way for access to the beaches. Are the signs just down and are these property owners in violation of the County ordinance to ensure shoreline access, or is there no requirement of shoreline access to the beaches in this stretch?

A: You are correct that shoreline access must be provided in this area. In 2000, the Maui Planning Commission approved a Special Management Area major permit for the proposed Olowalu Subdivision that involved several parcels. One of the many conditions on the SMA approval is that lateral pedestrian access along the shoreline shall be provided, and that mauka/makai public shoreline access from Honoapiʻilani Highway and public beach parking shall be provided near the Olowalu Mill site to Olowalu Landing, as well as access points to the shoreline from both ends of the makai Olowalu lands.

There does not appear to be a requirement that shoreline access signs be provided, although this parcel is listed as a beach access site in the Shoreline Access Management Plan. The Planning Department will follow up to make sure that the SMA permit conditions are being fulfilled. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.