The Maui Planning Commission is set for a busy Tuesday, taking up land use changes tied to the proposed Hoʻonani Village project along with a bundle of housing and parking bills that could significantly reshape a big chunk of Kahului. On the table are a rezoning request, community plan amendments and proposed tweaks to rules for accessory dwellings, agricultural retail and electric vehicle parking. Commissioners will take public testimony, then send their recommendations up to the County Council.
The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Planning Department Conference Room at the Kalana Pakui Building in Wailuku and will be available to watch remotely, according to Maui Now. The outlet also outlines how to submit online testimony through the agenda portal and explains where to find the livestream for those planning to tune in from home or the office.
What the Hoʻonani Village Plan Would Change
The county referral asks the commission to review several linked actions. One would adjust the Maui Island Plan directed growth map to add roughly 163.443 acres along Pūlehu Road. Another would reclassify 163.443 acres in the Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan from agriculture to business and multifamily. A third would rezone about 166.5 acres from agricultural to M-1 light industrial, according to the Maui County meeting agenda.
Those land use shifts are tied to conceptual plans for a master planned, high density community. The vision described in county documents includes low rise multifamily rental housing, commercial space, parks, sports fields, a central promenade and trails that would stitch the area together.
EIS Status And Who Is Behind The Filing
The County of Maui formally withdrew its Environmental Impact Statement preparation notice for Hoʻonani Village in September and directed that the State Land Use Commission is the more appropriate accepting authority for any future EIS, according to the county’s withdrawal letter filed with the state. That filing identifies Ho'onani Development LLC as the applicant and notes the company will work with the Land Use Commission to determine whether an EIS will be required going forward.
Bills Under Review: ADUs, Agricultural Retail And EV Parking
One council initiated proposal would loosen accessory dwelling rules. The measure would increase the maximum gross covered floor area to 720 square feet for lots under 7,500 square feet, and it would bump up the allowable cumulative deck and lānai area to 280 square feet on those smaller parcels, as laid out in Resolution No. 25-142 from Maui County.
Commissioners are also slated to review a change to the agricultural retail definition that would let vehicles and "structures on wheels" qualify as permitted accessory uses. On top of that, they will examine a draft electric vehicle parking ordinance that would require two EV charging equipped stalls for the first 50 parking spaces at new public accommodation projects, plus two additional chargers for each extra block of 50 stalls, as reported by Maui Now.
The Planning Commission’s role is advisory, so any recommendations it settles on will head back to the County Council for final decisions and possible ordinance adoption. Neighbors have already flagged concerns about aircraft noise, given the project’s location under Kahului Airport’s flight path, and about the sheer scale and density of what is being proposed. Staff reports and exhibits tied to the agenda are available through the Planning Department for anyone who wants a deeper dive before the commissioners gavel in.
