Central Maui Regional Park Subject of Stakeholder Meeting

Central Maui. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A stakeholder meeting is scheduled for this week to discuss the proposed Central Maui Regional Park.

The facility, proposed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources includes plans for the construction of a regional park consisting of fields for baseball, softball, and soccer, as well as concessions, restrooms, and parking.

“Maui is in dire need of more parks for our families to use and sports teams to play on and thanks to the commitment and efforts of Lt. Governor Tsutsui we will now have a much needed regional park,” said Councilmember Don Guzman in a media statement today.

Guzman who holds the Kahului seat on the council and chairs the Council Committee on Recreation said, “I know that having a new 60-acre park in Kahului will make an enormous difference towards supporting the healthy lifestyle our community enjoys. It’s an exciting project for all of Maui and I encourage people to attend and learn more about it.”

The meeting will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Pomaika`i Elementary School in Kahului.

Among those in attendance will be Lt. Gov. Shan Tsustui, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa or a designee from the mayor’s office, Senator Gil Keith-Agaran, and Representative Justin H. Woodson.

DLNR officials and their consultant R.M. Towill Corporation, Inc. will present details of the plan and listen to comments and concerns from stakeholders.

“This park will provide space for family recreation, and provide ample practice and playing facilities for young athletes. No longer will the state need to converge on Oahu for state tournaments,” said Lt. Governor Tstustui during a January 2011 address to the county when he served as senate president. “With our new facility, we will be able to host hundreds of off island families and provide a boost to our local businesses,” he stated at the time.