The Maui County Council voted unanimously Nov. 7 to advance Bill 131 CD1, a conditional rezone of 14,467 square feet at 1448 Front Street in Lahaina to permit parking lot or structure uses and related accessory uses.

Council discussion cited the Maui Planning Commission’s prior recommendation and community memory that the parcel historically served as restaurant parking. Member Tamara Poulton summarized the committee record: the council adopted a related resolution in 2023 and the planning commission recommended approval without conditions; Bill 131 proposes a single condition to permit parking lot and structure uses to support local business operations and West Maui’s economic recovery.

The owner, Nasus 141450 French LLC, owns 1448 and the adjacent 1450 Front Street; the adjacent parcel will house the Moku Roots restaurant while the subject parcel will serve as the restaurant’s parking area, according to committee materials. The council noted that because the bill departs from the planning commission’s full‑use recommendation, it requires a vote of six or more to pass the change in zoning; the motion passed 8‑0.

Why it matters: The conditional zoning is intended to provide parking for a local business and aid recovery in West Maui, where rebuilding and historic‑district considerations remain central to land‑use decisions.

Speakers quoted in this account are drawn from the meeting transcript and committee report text.