Community feedback sought for Maui Special Management Area boundary assessment
Community members are encouraged to participate in a County of Maui Department of Planning virtual open house to assess the Special Management Area boundary for Maui island. It launched online on Oct. 30, and comments may be submitted by Monday, Nov. 30, 2026.
To participate, visit https://ssfm.konveio.com/
SMA boundaries were drawn across the State of Hawaiʻi in the 1970s and have not been reassessed for Maui island since that time. They are designated coastal areas where development requires extra County review in order to protect coastal resources and public shoreline access. It doesn’t mean building is prohibited in this area; however, certain projects need additional review to protect coastal and marine resources and ecosystems.
The virtual open house offers:
- Information about the project, the Assessment and Recommendation of the New Special Management Area
- Presentation and recording shared at Maui community meetings in September and October
- A survey about the criteria that will be used to evaluate the SMA boundary
- Interactive mapping tool to draw where participants think the SMA boundary should be or identify areas they believe should be protected by the SMA
The project will help create an inland SMA boundary that reflects both science and the community’s cultural values, while considering future environmental and climate changes, the department said. Just as importantly, it will ensure protection of resources without creating unnecessary hurdles or added permitting requirements for residents and the County.
The project will not provide amendments to existing SMA rules and will not assess the islands of Moloka‘i nor Lāna‘i.
For more information, visit www.ssfm.konveio.com/
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