Public Hearing about Proposed Bill to Adopt West Maui Community Plan on Nov. 18

A public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed bill to adopt the West Maui Community Plan — the first comprehensive update to the plan in 25 years, will be held virtually on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.

The plan directs future growth and development in West Maui over a 20-year timeframe. It outlines the community’s vision for its future and the road map to achieve its vision.

The goals, policies and actions provided in the plan will direct the County in its planning, programs and decision making. It directs the County’s decisions related to managing land use, review of development projects, changes to zoning and development regulations, prioritizing funding for projects, and establishing new programs and initiatives.

It is part of the General Plan for Maui County, aligning under the 2010 Countywide Policy Plan and the 2012 Maui Island Plan within the County’s hierarchical planning structure. There are also Maui island community plans for South Maui, Central Maui, Upcountry, North Shore and East Maui.

The West Maui Community Plan has been reviewed by the West Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee, the Maui Planning Commission and the council’s Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committee, each of which proposed amendments, said Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee.

“The intensive process of updating the West Maui Community Plan began more than four years ago, and now I’m excited to share that we’ve reached this milestone in the plan’s review,” said Lee, who holds the council seat for the Wailuku-Waihe‘e-Waikapū residency area. “I am grateful for the support of our community volunteers, the hard work of our Planning Department and the diligence of Councilmember Tamara Paltin and her committee.”

The proposed bill to update the West Maui Community Plan is scheduled to be heard by the council for first reading on Dec. 3.

The draft plan is structured with five goals, each supported with specific action items:

• Ready and resilient systems
• A complete, balanced and connected transportation network
• Responsible stewardship of resource, culture and character
• Economic opportunity through innovation and collaboration
• Safe, healthy, livable communities for all

“The community plan will guide future growth and provide a vision for Lahaina and the rest of West Maui over the next 20 years,” Lee said. “All members of the community are invited to attend the public hearing, and I especially encourage West Maui residents to share their views.”

The plan, with high-resolution maps, can be viewed at http://www.mauicounty.us/westmauicommunityplan.

Members of the public may provide live testimony by phone at 1-408-317-9253 (meeting code 295235670) or video conference at https://maui.bluejeans.com/295235670. The public hearing can be viewed on Akakū Channel 53 or mauicounty.us/agendas.