The Kealia Boardwalk overlooks coastal wetland areas in Mā`alaea. PHOTO BY THE COUNTY OF MAUI.

MĀ`ALAEA — Maui residents are being asked to weigh in on the creation of a Maui County wetlands map during a public meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere at 192 Mā`alaea Road.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Sign up via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maui-county-public-scoping-meeting-on-ordinance-5421-wetland-overlay-map-tickets-749593994817?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Facilitated by the county’s Planning Department, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program and consultant H. T. Harvey and Associates, the meeting will gather ideas from the community to help prepare the first draft of the overlay map.

As part of a new county law to restore and protect wetlands, titled Ordinance 5421, planning officials are working on a comprehensive wetland overlay map that will identify existing and future wetland areas.

The map will eventually be launched on the County of Maui website and help property owners, land managers and county planners with important land-use decisions.

Wetlands exist throughout all islands within Maui County and provide important benefits, such as clean air, greenhouse gas regulation, storm protection, drought recovery, erosion control, soil formation, pollution control, regulation of hydrological flows, species habitat, pollination and food production.

If Maui residents cannot attend but would like to provide information, contact Long Range Division Planning Program Administrator Jacky Takakura at longrangedivision@mauicounty.gov or (808) 270-7743.