Question: Whatever happened to the proposed development of a 1,150-unit housing project mauka of the Wailea Resort in south Maui?
Answer: Honua‘ula Partners LLC representative Charles Jencks said a draft environmental impact statement has been submitted to the Maui County Planning Commission.
He said he hopes a final environmental impact statement will be ready for submittal to the commission by the end of the year.
Once the environmental impact statement is accepted, Honua‘ula owners will initiate hearings with the Maui Planning Commission about Project District Phase II, including a more detailed description of the development.
The Maui County Council approved a zoning change for the $1.2 billion project in March 2008 with 30 conditions.
Jencks said some of the conditions need to be met, including a management plan to remove and control feral animals such as deer and pigs, before Phase II can proceed.
Jencks said Honua‘ula owners are talking with government officials about establishing a conservation easement that could include a remnant wiliwili forest.
The nonprofit environmental group Maui Tomorrow said the developer’s proposal for plant preservation has been inadequate, fragmented and unsuitable for the long-term viability of native species.
Maui Tomorrow said it wants the developer to abide by conditions received for zoning.
One of those called for the developer to set aside a native plant preservation area of 18 to 130 acres.
Maui Tomorrow Executive Director Irene Bowie said the acreage proposed by the developer included gulch areas.
The group has also raised questions about the developer’s plan for wells.
“We feel they’ve not provided enough information to really prove the water source,” Bowie said.
A number of conditions were tied to paying for infrastructure, including $5,000 per unit for traffic improvements, not less than $5 million in lieu of a Little League field, and 2 acres for a fire station.
Jencks said half of the homes would be priced as affordable under county guidelines.
The developer plans to build 75,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.
An additional 25,000 square feet of commercial and retail space would be part of a clubhouse complex for an 18-hole golf course.
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This update was written by Gary T. Kubota. Suggest a topic for “Whatever Happened To…” by writing Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4747; or email cityeditors@staradvertiser.com.
