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Commission approves Iao Stream bridge repair permit with cultural and wildlife conditions
Summary
The commission approved a stream channel alteration permit for rehabilitation work at the Iao Stream (Wailuku River) bridge, adding special conditions in response to Office of Hawaiian Affairs, DHHL and Division of Forestry and Wildlife concerns, and requiring archaeological monitoring and community consultation.
The commission approved Stream Channel Alteration Permit SCAP‑6484.6 for the County of Maui Department of Public Works to rehabilitate Iao Stream Bridge (Wailuku River). Staff presented the scope — temporary grout‑bag diversions around piers, scour repairs, parapet and guardrail work — and described special conditions to address cultural and biological concerns.
Dino Wedo, stream protection branch, said the permit includes commitments to consult with native Hawaiian groups, to follow Division of Forestry and Wildlife guidance for native bird and bat protections, and to incorporate State Parks’ requests (including 45‑day notice before work that affects park access). Wedo read conditions requiring provision of any MOA to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and inclusion of DOFAW recommendations on surveys and best practices.
Commissioners asked whether archaeological monitoring and burial protection safeguards were in place. Ty Sekino, project manager with Maui County Public Works, confirmed an archaeological monitoring plan was uploaded to SHPD (HICRIS) and required by SHPD as a condition of approval: “We do have an archaeological monitoring plan that was approved… It was a requirement for a condition for the SHPD approval,” he said. Public commenters and OHA had raised traditional and customary use concerns; staff said preservation of continuous stream flow and the monitoring commitments were reasonable mitigation.
The commission amended the staff recommendation to include explicit reference to the chapter 343 finding and to note that traditional and customary practices were identified and addressed by mitigation. The motion to approve the permit with special conditions passed unanimously.
