First Pitch Tossed at Future Central Maui Regional Park

October 15, 2013, 8:01 AM HST
* Updated October 15, 3:56 PM

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Central Maui Regional Park by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Details of a new 209-acre Central Maui Regional Park were unveiled in a press conference held on-site, off of the Kuihelani Highway yesterday.

The property was purchased by the County of Maui from A&B for an estimated $5.2 million, in a deal which closed on Sept. 27.

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According to Mayor Alan Arakawa, build-out for the entire regional park will likely commence over 4 to 6 phases, with Phase 1 of construction tentatively scheduled for fiscal year 2016.

Arakawa says acquisition of the new park lands has been in the works for more than 20 years, when former A&B executive Mercer “Chubby” Vicens proposed the idea of selling A&B land in Waikapū to the county for a park complex.

The mayor also recognized Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui on his efforts in getting 65 acres of parkland for the Central Maui Sports Complex, also located in Waikapū on the other side of East Waiko Road in the master-planned Waiʻale community. Both parks, the mayor said, will eventually become part of the Central Maui Regional Park system.

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“Overall, this is another example of how much the county and state can accomplish by working together, instead of acting as separate government entities,” he said.

During the press conference government leaders from the state and county attempted to hit a home run out of the park in an effort to symbolize activities that they hope to see taking place on the property in the future.

***Check back for video from the event.