Community invited to Sept. 17 meeting on proposed project for new Pāʻia gym

Community members are encouraged to attend a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, to share ideas for a proposed project to construct a new Pāʻia gym, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced. It will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pāʻia Community Center.

A project website will collect public feedback from Sept. 18 through Oct. 18, 2026, on the conceptual project design and site plan layout. Details will be shared during the community meeting.

Named the Alfred “Flako” Boteilho Sr. Gymnasium, the proposed gym would be constructed at the site of the existing Pāʻia Gymnasium after demolition. The expanded facility would serve as a modern recreational complex that could be used as an emergency shelter or recovery center during and after disasters.

“This project is a significant investment in the heart of Pāʻia, providing the community with an improved and expanded gym that can better meet the everyday recreational needs of our keiki, families and residents,” DPR Director Patrick McCall said. “Just as importantly, the upgraded facility strengthens Pāʻia’s emergency preparedness and ability to serve as a safe, reliable gathering place during severe storms and other emergencies.”

The project team, comprising DPR, consulting partners G70 International and Nishikawa Architects Inc., has emphasized that the new gym design should reflect the community’s identity and history. Preserving the existing gym’s character, physical features and associated memories are being prioritized.

Originally constructed in 1938, the Pāʻia gym been described as a key recreational resource, particularly for boxing, volleyball and basketball. It was closed in 2016 after several technical studies, including a Structural Engineering Report, Termite Inspection Report and Hazardous Materials Survey, found that the gym had significant structural deterioration and could pose safety risks.

For general information on DPR, visit www.mauicounty.gov/DPR.