Committee Begins Exemption Discussion on Kahoma Project

Kahoma Village Project, informational flyer. Image courtesy County of Maui.

By Wendy Osher

The Council’s Land Use Committee began scrutinizing proposed exemptions for the proposed Kahoma Village fast track affordable housing project in West Maui, according to the Office of Council Services.

The committee conducted a site visit and public hearing on Wednesday, during which members heard testimony from residents, and had questions answered by the developer.

The item is expected to resurface for consideration during the committee’s next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22; however an agenda has not yet been published detailing the scope of discussion.

The council must act by Feb. 13 under the 45-day fast track process.

The $60 million, 203-unit project is proposed for construction on more than 21-acres of vacant land south of the Lahaina Cannery Mall.

Kahoma Village Project, informational flyer. Image courtesy County of Maui.

51% of the project is proposed as multi-family units, meeting affordability criteria for the County of Maui.

According to the project need section of the Final Environmental Assessment, a market study concluded that the project will address future population growth and the need for housing as economic recovery occurs.

An archaeological assessment notes that the project site is currently vacant but has been previously impacted by “sugarcane cultivation, heavy equipment clearing, construction of informal homeless shelters and camps, and piles of construction related debris.”