Maui County has rolled out an updated timeline for restoring the Lahaina Royal Complex and is asking residents across the islands to weigh in on what that future should look like. The Department of ʻŌiwi Resources is leading the master-plan effort, which officials say is meant to guide long-term cultural, ecological and community healing around Mokuʻula and the former Malu ʻUlu o Lele park. A final master plan is expected by summer 2027.
Timeline and team
According to Maui Recovers, the planning work officially began in July 2025 and is scheduled to run for about two years. Built into that window are technical studies, cultural and archaeological assessments, hydrology analysis and a steady stream of community engagement. The county has tapped G70 International as the lead consultant, backed by a roster that includes ʻāina archaeologists, ecologists, hydrology experts and wildfire-resiliency specialists. County materials note that the master plan is funded through the Office of Recovery and is expected to produce a phased roadmap for putting the plan into action.
Public survey and local input
As reported by KHON2, the new timeline lays out tentative tasks starting this summer and continuing into next year, and the county has launched a statewide online survey to collect feedback from residents and stakeholders. Department of ʻŌiwi Resources Director Kaponoʻai Molitau urged people throughout Maui Nui to fill out the questionnaire and share their thoughts on cultural stewardship and community healing, KHON2 reported.
Federal support and early work
In a press release from the County of Maui, officials said the county previously secured a $2 million National Park Service grant to support preservation planning and early implementation at the royal complex. The release notes that initial actions may include restoring Native Hawaiian place names, reforesting areas damaged by wildfire and moving forward with restoration efforts at Mokuʻula and Loko o Mokuhinia.
What the plan does and does not do
County planning materials emphasize that the master plan is just that, a plan, and does not on its own approve construction or clear regulatory hurdles. As outlined by Maui Recovers, any actual work on the ground would still need additional reviews, permits and coordination with state and federal partners. In other words, when the final master plan is published next summer, it will set priorities and timelines rather than trigger immediate building on the Lahaina Royal Complex parcels.
Next steps for residents
Officials say the community will have plenty more chances to weigh in. The county plans to keep up engagement through small-group sessions, open houses and regular Lahaina community meetings. Residents were encouraged to attend the county’s June 3 meeting at Lahaina Intermediate School, according to a county announcement. County materials add that the survey and project documents are posted on the county’s recovery channels, and anyone who wants a closer look or a chance to comment can find details on the Lahaina Royal Complex project page.
