Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Keokea Industrial urban growth boundary expansion (North Kihei)
Haleakala Ranch and Kaonoulu Ranch propose a large phased residential development adjacent to Kulanihakoi High School, with three village hubs. Supporters call it logical, walkable growth; critics fear promises will vanish once land changes hands.
Maui Research & Technology Park zoning amendments (Bill 141, 2026)
Bill 141 shifts commercial acreage to residential in the Kihei tech park so homes are less dense, while keeping the 1,250-unit cap. Residents watching Kihei growth will see the same number of homes spread over more land, and slightly less commercial build-out.
Wailea Golf Plan dispute
The draft plan contains an earlier owner-proposed Wailea Golf plan that would leave one golf course and open the Blue Course to development. The Wailea Community Association and condo owners want the committee to substitute a negotiated compromise that keeps the Blue and Gold courses and allows development only on the Emerald Course.
Accessory Dwelling Size Standards (Bill 27, 2026)
The committee struck a plan action item because recent county laws already allow kitchenettes and two ADUs per residential property. Members flagged that many residents — and even building inspectors — don't know these changes exist yet.
Development in flood zones and wetlands
Testifiers Albert Perez and Johann Lall urged the committee to stop approving housing in flood zones, especially affordable housing, since those residents can least afford flood losses. The discussion shaped policies on buffers and mauka-to-makai watershed planning.
Protecting kuleana access, trails, and cultural resources
Testimony says burials exist on the property but weren't included in the 2010 archaeological survey. Officials say monitoring and, if needed, rerouting the waterline could avoid disturbing iwi kūpuna.
CPAC policies removed by the Planning Commission
Former councilmember Kelly King and others asked the committee to restore the community-written CPAC version of the plan, saying infrastructure-first requirements and funding-study mandates were stripped out before transmittal.
Lahaina United Methodist Church rezoning (Bill 94, 2026)
The church lost its buildings in the August 2023 fires and needs a rezone from residential to public/quasi-public to rebuild the church and preschool. Members also discussed keeping existing dwellings on the property and a possible lot consolidation costing $5,000-$10,000.
Title 19 zoning code rewrite
Maui County's zoning code dates to 1960 and has been patched so many times it's confusing and contradictory. The rewrite aims to make it simpler, more visual, better aligned with community plans, and friendlier for housing affordability — but it's a multi-year effort working through three planning commissions and the council in modules.