KAHULUI, Hawaii — Management plans for 51.33 acres of dedicated land from A&B Properties will be delayed until later this year due to a staffing shortage in the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation, according to a news release.

What You Need To Know

  • Community input will be key to developing the management plan and opportunities will be available for public involvement once the project gets back on track

  • The Parks Planning website has information on the management plan and dune restoration plan

At the end of 2022, A&B Properties had dedicated seven parcels, 51.33 acres, to Maui County. It includes 23 acres of shoreline long used for public recreation that includes Wawau Point and the sand dunes west of H.A. Baldwin Beach Park.

The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreations had anticipated starting the area’s management plan early this year that will address operational issues such as access, parking and public safety, in addition to environmental restoration and community partnerships for stewarding resources. Townscape Inc. Environmental & Community Planning had been selected as the consultant for the plan.

However, unexpected staffing changes in the last month will delay the start.

According to the release, the parks department closed the gate at the end of Kealakai Place because of safety concerns such as illegal camping and fires. The prevents vehicular access, but the area is still accessible by foot.

Community input will be key to developing the management plan and opportunities will be available for public involvement once the project gets back on track.

The Parks Planning website has information on the management plan and dune restoration plan.

The public can contact the parks planner for information on the management plan: David Yamashita at 808-270-6508, david.yamashita@co.maui.hi.us or Jennifer Maydan at 808-270-6160, jennifer.maydan@co.maui.hi.us.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.