Maui County DRIP Committee Meeting: Keokea Industrial UGB & South Maui Community Plan - October 21, 2026

The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (DRIP) of the Maui County Council met on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. HST (agenda time) via Microsoft Teams and in-person at the Council Chamber in Wailuku. Chair Tamara Paltin presided. The committee considered two items concurrently: Bill 139 (2026) to amend the Maui Island Plan's Directed Growth Map to include 85.57 acres in the Urban Growth Boundary for the Keokea Industrial project, and Bill 108 (2026) to adopt the updated South Maui Community Plan. The committee voted to recommend passage of Bill 139 on first reading and approved several amendments to Action 1.16 of the South Maui Community Plan regarding a multimodal transportation corridor feasibility study.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tova Calendar (testimony read by proxy): An environmental biologist and South Maui CPAC member submitted testimony advocating for a 100-foot buffer along gulches in South Maui to protect public safety, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and provide community amenities such as mauka-to-makai trail connections. She noted that mainland jurisdictions often require 200-foot buffers.
• Thorne Abbott, Coastal Planners: Testified on behalf of Mark Turtletob, owner of 6850 Makena Road (parcel 2-2-1-006-103), whose property was designated as Park in the proposed plan. Abbott argued the designation creates a land use conflict since the state land use is Rural and zoning is Residential. He stated the owner was not notified of the designation change and requested the designation be changed to Rural Residential. He noted the property was designated Park in 1988 due to anticipated state park expansion that never occurred.
• Travis Leggett: Expressed support for preserving the composting facility (Kihei Compost) on the Keokea Industrial site, stating it is a valuable community resource for green waste processing in a closed-loop system. He raised concern about potential displacement of the operator. He also testified about concerns regarding open-air sludge drying beds at the Motlawa Regional Wastewater Reclamation System project.
• Unaka Kama Aina: Urged caution in using terms like "property" versus "land" and expressed support for protecting the water supply.

Discussion Items

• Bill 139 (2026) – Keokea Industrial UGB Amendment: Rory Frampton, planning consultant for Haleakala Ranch Company, presented the proposed amendment to include 85.57 acres (TMK (2) 2-2-002:080) in the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) for industrial uses. The site is located mauka of the Kihei Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Existing uses include Hawaii Materials Recycling (construction recycling, approximately 10 acres) and a former composting facility (12 acres) that the ranch seeks to reestablish. The State Office of Planning submitted a letter of support citing proximity to existing UGB, soil rating E (lowest grade agricultural land), and demonstrated need. The proposal requires additional steps: state district boundary amendment (due to parcel size over 15 acres) and a change in zoning, which will allow conditions and restrictions on uses.
• Planning Director Jackie Takakura supported the bill, stating it would help Kihei become less dependent on Central Maui, reduce vehicle miles traveled, provide local employment, and ease burden on the Central Maui landfill. She noted the urban growth boundary denotes where urban density development requiring full services is supported, and that community plan designations cannot be assigned to land outside the UGB.
• Vacant Land Inventory: Director Takakura presented the Maui Island vacant land inventory as of 2026, showing 198 acres of heavy industrial and 271 acres of light industrial island-wide, without a breakdown by community plan area. This inventory is required under Maui Island Plan Policy 8.1.B.
• Existing Residential Parcels Outside UGB: Councilmember Tom Cook raised the issue of several existing residential parcels that were left outside the Urban Growth Boundary when the MIP was updated in 2012. The committee discussed a path forward, with Corporation Counsel Michael Hopper stating that a separate process through resolution to the Planning Commission would be required to amend the UGB for those parcels. Chair Paltin noted that letters had been sent to affected property owners and that Councilmember Cook would follow up.
• South Maui Community Plan – Action 1.16 Amendment: Councilmember Gabe Johnson proposed a feasibility study for a multimodal transportation corridor through South Maui to Central Maui. The committee adopted multiple amendments: changing the route from Lipoa Parkway to Kanani Road; designating the MPO as lead agency; adding county, state, and federal funding sources; and setting the study cost at $250,000. The committee also added a new implementing action for the corridor with an estimated cost of $10 million and funding sources including county, state, federal, and private.
• Community Plan Designation Changes: The committee confirmed that letters were sent to properties whose designations changed during this plan update (noted on Matrix 3B), but not to properties that were designated Park in prior plan versions.
• Pi'ilani Promenade Bond: Director Jordan Molina of Public Works confirmed that a $20 million subdivision bond was posted around 2009 for required improvements including the Kaono'ulu Street extension (four-lane road with sidewalks and bike lanes). Construction plans are currently under review.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 139 (DRIP-29) – Recommended for Passage on First Reading: The committee voted 7-0 (members Batangan and Sugimura excused) to recommend passage of Bill 139 (2026) as amended by CD1 Substitute. The CD1 version inserts a non-codified preamble with the bill's procedural history, adjusts exhibit references, and incorporates non-substantive revisions. The bill amends the Maui Island Plan's Directed Growth Map S1 (North Kihei) to include 85.57 acres in the Urban Growth Boundary for the Keokea Industrial project. The Council will need to hold a public hearing on Maui prior to second reading.
• Action 1.16 Amended – Feasibility Study: The committee approved amending Action 1.16 to read: "Conduct a feasibility study for a new multimodal transportation corridor or connector road through South Maui to Central Maui, mauka of Pi'ilani Highway, connecting from Kanani Road to Maui Veterans Highway. Include in the study: alignments that could also serve as emergency evacuation routes; estimated costs; funding and financing options; easements and right-of-way needed, with a strategy for acquiring them; and an assessment of impacts on the 'āina, with recommended routes and design measures that minimize harm." Lead agency: MPO. Funding: county, state, federal. Priority: high. Timing: long. Cost: $250,000.
• New Implementing Action Added: The committee added an implementing action: "Implement a new multimodal transportation corridor through South Maui to Central Maui, mauka of Pi'ilani Highway, connecting to Maui Veterans Highway." Lead agency: Public Works. Funding: county, state, federal, and private. Cost: $10 million. Priority: high. Timing: long.
• Committee Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at 3:59 p.m. HST.