Planning Commission to consider 310-acre Pulelehua project
KAHANA — The Maui Planning Commission has scheduled a virtual public hearing at 9 a.m. on Oct. 12 to discuss an application for Phase II Project District Development Approval for the Pulelehua project (West Maui Project District 5) slated below Kapalua Airport.
Maui Oceanview LP is proposing a 310-acre mixed-use development with 800 multi-family units, including 100 affordable for-sale units, 400 market rate rentals (including 70 live-work units) and 300 workforce rentals (including ten live-work units); 100 single-family lots with option of one ohana unit each; 70,000 square feet of commercial space; a 13-acre school site; ten-acre community park; and accompanying infrastructure.
According to the project’s website (pulelehua.com), “Pulelehua is a 304 acre master planned green residential and retail community designed for the local workforce as well as residents who wish to rent on a long term basis. It has an incomparable 180-degree ocean view sitting on the West Maui Mauka just off of Honoapiilani Highway between Kaanapali and Napili.
“Maui Oceanview LP acquired this property in Spring of 2016 and looks forward to developing a community that encompasses the natural beauty of Maui. When fully developed, Pulelehua will have up to 1,000 residential units comprised of affordable rentals, market-rate rentals, lots & ohanas, several neighborhood pocket parks, 7 miles of jogging and biking trails, a 10-acre multi-spot park, a community-wide exclusive potable water system, a state-of-the-art water treatment system, local neighborhood service retail centers and a local elementary school.”
Maui Oceanview LP President Paul Cheng bought Pulelehua — including its land entitlements — from Maui Land & Pineapple Co. five years ago.
In December 2019, the state Land Use Commission unanimously approved amendments for the previously approved Pulelehua project, after Maui Oceanview LP met with community leaders and agreed to increase the total of affordable rentals and for-sale homes.
Community outreach included holding public town hall meetings with more than 150 residents on Nov. 6 and 9, 2019.
The Oct. 12 virtual meeting will be held on Bluejeans.com, and the meeting ID will be published on the Maui County website at least six days prior to the event.
Information on the application is available for review at the Planning Department at 2200 Main St. in Wailuku. Call 270-8205 for details.
Kahana resident Linda Lyerly sent questions about the project to Ann Cua of the Planning Department. Cua is on the Mainland and doesn’t have access to files, but she provided some quick answers.
Cua noted that the county Department of Planning website contains the two-volume application for Pulelehua under “pending applications.”
Lyerly wrote, “What is the waste management plan? Will this fund the necessary improvements to our current problems and stop the dumping into the ocean?”
Cua replied, “Solid waste will be handled by both private and public services. This project is not required to fund any existing waste management problems.”
Lyerly asked, “How will this impact the airport?”
“The project had entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Transportation Airports Division which outlines the requirements for the project,” Cua explained.
Lyerly posed another question about infrastructure: “How can our roads handle such an influx of traffic?? Will developer be required to help with these infrastructure costs?”
Cua wrote that the developer is required to pay its fair share contribution to traffic improvements.
Testimony relative to the request may be submitted in writing to the Planning Commission via the Maui Planning Department, 2200 Main St., Wailuku, HI 96793.