Maui committee approves purchase of half-acre lot in Lahaina for community corridor and recovery uses

The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee of the Maui County Council voted unanimously to recommend adoption of Resolution 25-49, authorizing the county to acquire a 24,018-square-foot parcel at 968 Imahana Place in Lahaina for an amount not to exceed $1,700,000.

Committee Chair Tamara Polton opened discussion by explaining the resolution before the committee and said members would hear presentations and public testimony. Jordan Hart of the Office of Recovery told the committee, “The Department of Management Office of Recovery is requesting authorization to purchase this piece of property as a strategic purchase for the implementation of the West Maui Community Corridor Project,” and said the parcel could be used for temporary volunteer housing, staging, or long‑term incorporation into the corridor plan because utilities are already connected.

The committee heard from a managing‑director’s office representative and staff that the parcel came on the market quickly and that other buyers had expressed interest. The managing‑director’s office said the site’s light‑industrial zoning increases its value but also expands potential short‑term recovery uses such as storage, volunteer housing, and facilities tied to rebuilding efforts. Staff and members emphasized that acquiring this single parcel would not by itself establish a continuous emergency evacuation route; additional parcels or easements would be required.

Members asked clarifying questions about funding and appraisal. Member Nohelani Uhudgins asked about the funding source; staff said the purchase would likely be paid from bond funds approved for roadway evacuation routes. Member Uhudgins also noted the council’s budgeted amount of $1.7 million and that the appraisal showed about $1.6 million; staff said the higher not‑to‑exceed figure could account for closing costs and market interest. Planning staff and the managing‑director’s office confirmed the parcel previously contained a commercial structure that burned in the August 2023 wildfires and that light‑industrial zoning allows uses such as warehousing and volunteer housing.

After discussion, the committee voted to substitute the original resolution with a corrected CD1 version to fix property‑owner names and non‑substantive style issues. The substitute motion (moved by Nohelani Uhudgins; seconded by Yukile Sugimura) passed by voice vote. The committee then approved the main motion as amended by voice vote; the clerk announced “8 ayes, noes 0, 1 excused member.”

The committee record shows the county will acquire the parcel for a capped amount of $1.7 million, with the stated purpose of supporting the West Maui Community Corridor Project and short‑term recovery needs such as volunteer housing and temporary storage. Committee members and staff repeatedly noted that full development of evacuation routes, the greenway, or other corridor elements would require further acquisitions, easements, planning and community input, and could take years to implement.

The committee advanced Resolution 25‑49 to the full council with a favorable recommendation; the resolution packet available to members at the time included a title report and an appraisal.