South Maui Gardens to Sell Plants Onsite

A new ordinance will allow South Maui Gardens in Kīhei to sell its plants and flowers onsite, Maui County Council member Kelly Takaya King announced on Friday.

Bill 81 (2019) passed final reading without opposition at the Jan. 10 council meeting, taking effect as Ordinance 5031 the same day to change the zoning of the South Maui Gardens property on Auhana Road in Kihei to B-2 Community Business District.

The change in zoning will allow the nursery to conduct retail transactions on the premises for the first time.

“Sometimes it’s the little things that can make the biggest differences in our communities,” King said in a press release.

“South Maui Gardens has been a staple in Kihei for more than two decades, and by simply changing the zoning for their property, we are going to make it much easier for the community to enjoy everything the nursery has to offer.”

King said the nursery, which supplies plants to Kahului Airport, local landscapers, hotels, shopping centers, small businesses and homeowners, grows its plants and flowers onsite in Kīhei as well as offsite in greenhouse spaces in Kula.

Prior to Ordinance 5031, the property’s R-2 Residential District zoning limited the nursery to making deliveries to customers offsite rather than completing any transactions on the property.

In the B-2 Community Business District, flower and plant nurseries, eating and drinking establishments and catering establishments are permitted uses. The council added conditions to the change in zoning for the nursery, including that no transient accommodations can be offered, permitted uses on the property are limited to specified activities and the maximum height of any structure on the property is 45 feet.

“I am just pleased that a small business that has been such a valuable community partner for so long will now be afforded the flexibility to more organically serve its customers right there on their property,” King said.

“We want small businesses to be able to thrive in Maui County, and this ordinance will ensure that’s the case at South Maui Gardens.”

King said she also understands that Blue Door Bread Company, which had been operating on South Maui Gardens grounds and is currently closed,  intends to reopen its artisan bakery in the coming months with the B-2 zoning in effect.

Councilmember Kelly King. Photo: 2019 by Wendy Osher