Makena’s past, its current state and its future as envisioned by the community will be the focus of an open, community-wide forum on Monday, Jan. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kihei Community Center.
The Makena Past, Present & Future forum goal is to put into perspective the future of Makena as it relates to its historical and culture-laden past, and to begin the process with community-driven values. This forum is intended to examine the nature of how development is evaluated and completed. Panelists include persons steeped in Makena’s history, current residents, workers and stakeholders in Makena’s future.
The forum’s starting point is the 1970 Kihei Civic Plan, which states: “The plan would place strict development controls in Makena, with special emphasis placed on the conservation of Makena’s historic sites… so that when maximum urbanization is reached in the rest of the planning area, Makena will remain as it is now, a quiet place of natural beauty and historic interest.”
According to the forum steering committee, Maui County faces a very real challenge in constructing a modern post-1970 planning strategy for Makena, a plan that should recognize the intention of the 1970 Kihei Civic Plan and retain the timeless value of this land.
The forum will explore many issues: Should the promises made in the 1970 Kihei Civic Plan be discarded? What does the community see as the value of this land? How can the land best be used so that activities will reflect and preserve those values? How can land use reflect the values that residents have already deemed crucial in the current community plan? When there already exists substantial resort facilities in Wailea and Kihei, should the Makena offer more, and is the area capable of sustaining them?
Makena and South Maui residents are invited to participate in the formation of this collective vision to assure that actions taken by county government and builder interests abide community values.
Join the discussion of Makena’s past and present, and help shape its future as Maui moves into the 21st century.
For more information, call 891-0597.