#Francine Aarona

A mixed-use development proposed for 40 acres of former sugarcane land near Pāʻia won committee approval Wednesday, moving a project that would bring up to 170 homes, commercial businesses, a medical clinic and a public parking lot to the next stage of a years-long entitlement process.

After hearing testimony overwhelmingly opposed to Air Force plans to build and operate up to seven telescopes atop Haleakalā, Maui County Council members unanimously supported a resolution opposing construction of the proposed Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research facility.

While some got a laugh out of a new Pāʻia road sign that mocks hippies, longtime area residents said it’s derogatory and divisive during a time when the historic town needs help.

Many of the more than 50 people who testified during a budget committee meeting on Friday voiced support for funding of Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art, a center dedicated to the study, practice, celebration and perpetuation of hula and various ‘ōiwi arts connected to hula.