Draft environmental assessment posted for new Upcountry Maui Agricultural Park

A draft environmental assessment is open for public comment on a proposal to develop a new 262-acre agricultural park in Kula, separate from—but connected by infrastructure to—the existing Kula Agricultural Park.

The Maui County Department of Agriculture is proposing the Upcountry Maui Agricultural Park project on a parcel near the intersection of ʻŌmaʻopio and Pūlehu roads, about 0.7 miles makai of the existing Kula Ag Park. The site was formerly used for sugar cane cultivation by Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. and is distinct from the agricultural park’s current footprint.

Under the proposal, the county would reconfigure the parcel into 28 improved farm sites to be leased to local farmers and businesses for diversified agriculture. Infrastructure improvements would include new roads, an irrigation system delivering non-potable water, and electrical systems to each lot.

While Upcountry Maui Agricultural Park itself is a new, standalone project, its water system is tied directly into the Kula Ag Park’s existing infrastructure. The proposal includes a 2.5-million-gallon reservoir expansion sited within the existing park, along with an additional booster pump at an existing pump station and an extension of a 12-inch water distribution main along ʻŌmaʻopio Road—all intended to deliver water to the new project site. Two new intersections would also be constructed on Pūlehu Road to provide vehicular access to the project.

The proposal triggers environmental review under Hawaiʻi law because it involves the use of county lands and funds. Munekiyo Hiraga is the consultant preparing the environmental assessment on the county’s behalf.

The statutory 30-day public review and comment period is underway, with comments due by Oct. 23. The two-volume draft environmental assessment can be reviewed here.

Comments may be sent to Munekiyo Hiraga’s Adam Strubeck at planning@munekiyohiraga.com. Questions about the project can be directed to Agriculture Department Director Rogerene Arce at 808-270-8276 or Rogerene.Arce@co.maui.hi.us.