Maui County Disaster Recovery International Affairs and Planning Committee Meeting: Ho'onani Village Development (May 20, 2026)

The Disaster Recovery International Affairs and Planning Committee (DRIP) of the Maui County Council met on May 20, 2026, to consider three bills (163, 164, 165) related to the Ho'onani Village Mixed Use Development Project on approximately 163.443 acres in Kahului. The committee heard presentations from county departments, received public testimony, and voted to recommend passage of Bills 163 and 164 on first reading with CD1 amendments. Bill 165 was deferred.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Pele (Executive Director, Maui Hotel and Lodging Association) testified in support of Bills 163 and 164, emphasizing severe workforce housing shortages and personal story of his daughter leaving Hawaii due to lack of housing. He stated that his focus is on housing, not hospitality.
• Danielle Watemar testified in strong support, describing how she and her wife housed multiple family members due to the housing crisis. She urged the committee to support the project.
• Gabriel Perales (SBA) attempted to testify on disaster recovery resources but was redirected as his remarks were not on the agenda; staff offered to schedule future testimony.
• Albert Perez testified in opposition, urging deferral until the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is accepted by the state Land Use Commission (LUC). He cited health risks from aircraft noise (cardiovascular disease), industrial impacts, traffic hazards, questionable water quality from an old agricultural well, and long-term infrastructure burdens. He called the draft EIS "flawed" and stated that affordable housing should not mean asking low-income families to absorb those impacts.

Discussion Items

• Planning Director Takakura presented department concerns: the council-initiated process bypasses normal application and environmental review; the project is in an industrial corridor under the Kahului Airport flight path; M1 zoning allows a broad range of uses (including 75-foot wind turbines) unless conditioned; and the land use inventory of vacant urban land (9,352 acres islandwide, 3,042 acres in Wailuku-Kahului) may not require expansion of the urban growth boundary given projected population growth of only 0.1% per year through 2043 (UHERO data). The department recommended deferral until the final EIS is accepted.
• Deputy Director Peterson (Environmental Management) stated the project is outside sewer service area; he recommended a private wastewater treatment plant or wait until the Central Maui facility expands (approx. 2030).
• Director Mitchell (Housing) said the project is too early for review; housing conditions would be triggered at subdivision under Code 2.96 (workforce housing). He noted the project could add significant housing stock—potentially 1,600 units—if realized.
• Jensen (Water Supply) confirmed the project is seeking private water; the county municipal system is at 98-100% of reliable capacity and cannot serve market-rate development. The department supports planning's deferral position.
• Resource person Jeff Uyoka (representing Ho'onani Development LLC) argued that the project is designed primarily for workforce housing (rents at or below 140% of AMI), with light industrial and commercial as ancillary uses phased in later. He emphasized that entitlements (MIP and community plan amendments) are first steps toward securing water/wastewater infrastructure and that the developer plans to partner with the county on a private water system. He requested flexibility, noting that the project will still require future approvals (EIS, LUC district boundary amendment, change of zoning).
• Committee discussion reflected a split: Members Uuhajins, Cook, Johnson, and Chair Lee supported passage to expedite housing and avoid further delays; Member Sinenti voted no; Member Batanga (area representative) favored deferral until the final EIS is complete, but was excused from the vote. Concerns about airport noise were addressed with evidence that noise levels are acceptable per the draft EIS and that modern construction can mitigate sound. The committee also requested the developer to issue press releases at future steps to enhance public participation.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 163 (Maui Island Plan amendment, urban growth boundary expansion): The committee adopted CD1 (correcting property size to 163.443 acres) by voice vote (6 ayes, 0 no, 3 excused). The main motion as amended passed with 5 ayes (Uuhajins, Lee, Johnson, Cook, Polton), 1 no (Sinenti), and 3 excused (Sugimura, Rollins Fernandez, Batanga). Recommended for first reading to full Council.
• Bill 164 (Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan designation change to Business Multifamily): The committee adopted CD1 (same correction) by voice vote (6 ayes, 0 no, 3 excused). The main motion as amended passed with the same 5-1-3 vote. Recommended for first reading.
• Bill 165 (change of zoning) was not considered and remains deferred.
• The full Council may require five or six votes for passage, depending on whether the Maui Planning Commission's recommendation (deferral until draft EIS submitted and land inventory updated) is considered met; Corp Council noted uncertainty.
• Next steps: Developer will address comments on the draft EIS and aim to submit the final EIS to the LUC by September 2026. The committee chair committed to working with the developer on public outreach. The Department of Housing will engage with the developer during preliminary design.