Summary
Proposed policies would bar new permanent structures in or within 100 feet of gulches and drainageways, but Public Works Director Molina warned the blanket restriction could kill needed flood mitigation and drainage projects. Deferred for more work.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 3
Rising — discussed at 7 meetings since Sep 17, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Could affect the viability of drainage master plan projects in Kīhei.
Homes near gulches spared from rushing floodwater and debris.
Potentially property owners whose entire parcels fall within the setback area.
Mentions & discussions (7)
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — October 7, 2026
The committee replaced the 100-foot buffer rule (with its low-impact-development loophole) with a site-specific approach: a minimum 50-foot riparian buffer, open-space designations preserved for named gulches, and encroachment allowed only for public-serving infrastructure.
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — October 6, 2026
The draft plan designates gulches and drainage ways as open space to keep them undeveloped, but Corporation Counsel warned blanket designations raise legal takings concerns and suggested strengthening flood and drainage ordinances countywide instead. The committee left this unresolved.
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — October 5, 2026
The draft maps gulches as open space using modern LIDAR data — more accurate than the old plan. Corp counsel cautioned that open-space boundaries can't be shifted during subdivision without a community plan amendment, and suggested a countywide floodplain ordinance update might protect gulches better than plan designations alone.
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — October 2, 2026
Members wrestled with whether drawing green lines around every drainage way could accidentally make land undevelopable, especially for roads, sewer and water lines that have to work around topography. They want the protection without killing functionality.
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — September 24, 2026
A sweeping set of actions on drainage master plans, culvert and gulch clearing, green infrastructure along South Kihei Road, and a first-ever 'stormwater park' concept mauka of Piilani Highway — with lots of debate over what that even looks like.
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — September 18, 2026
Proposed policies would bar new permanent structures in or within 100 feet of gulches and drainageways, but Public Works Director Molina warned the blanket restriction could kill needed flood mitigation and drainage projects. Deferred for more work.
Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (2025-2027) — September 17, 2026
Testifiers urged the committee to keep wide (100–200 foot) gulch buffers drawn from LiDAR data, restore Policy 2.2.37 requiring infrastructure before development, and preserve critical wetland parcels — arguing development in flood zones and wetlands puts future residents at risk.
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