Planning Department hosts public meetings in East Maui, North Shore, South Maui for assessment of SMA boundary

The public is invited to attend a series of public meetings in October in East Maui, North Shore and South Maui for Assessment and Recommendation of the New Special Management Area (SMA) Boundary for the island of Maui, hosted by the County of Maui Planning Department. 

The Planning Department is conducting an assessment of the existing SMA boundary for the island of Maui. The purpose of the project is to develop recommendations for a scientific and culturally based inland SMA boundary  that is responsive to projected changes in environmental and climate conditions, and that balances the need for environmental protection with the burden of excessive review or permitting requirements on both local residents and the County Planning Department.

SMA boundaries across the State were drawn in the 1970s and have not been re-assessed since that time for the island of Maui. The project will not provide amendments to the SMA rules and will not assess the islands of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

A series of five meetings have been scheduled across the island of Maui to encourage participation from all community members. Meetings in West Maui and Central Maui were held in September. The following three will be held in October:

• East Maui SMA Boundary Meeting
  • Wednesday Oct. 7, 2026, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Hāna High School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway, Hāna
• North Shore Maui SMA Boundary Meeting
  • Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Pā‘ia Community Center, 252 Hāna Highway
• South Maui SMA Boundary Meeting
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. from 5 – 7 p.m. at Kūlanihāko֥‘i High School Cafeteria, Kūlanihāko‘i Street and  Piʻilani Highway, Kīhei.

Light refreshments will be provided at the meetings.

More information can be found on the project website: www.ssfm.konveio.com/islandofmauiSMA.