MEO poised to move forward on new transit hub in Puunene area

WAILUKU - A portion of a former sugar plantation village at Puunene looks like it soon will get a new life as a transit hub for Maui Economic Opportunity Inc.

The nonprofit received unanimous approval Wednesday from the County Council's Land Use Committee to change the project's 10 acres in the Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan designation from agricultural to light industrial. The committee, which is made up of all nine council members, also agreed to alter the zoning from agricultural to M-1 light industrial.

The transportation center project still needs approval on two readings from the full council and the signature of approval from Mayor Charmaine Tavares as well as building permits before construction can begin.

"It's so nice to see this finally going forward," said Land Use Committee Chairwoman Gladys Baisa, who retired after a long career with MEO, ending it as executive director. "To get to this point has been a dream for many, many years."

Her words were echoed by MEO Chief Executive Officer Sandy Baz, who said MEO will build the project - which is on land donated by Alexander & Baldwin Inc. - in three phases. Work on the $10 million to $12 million initial phase is expected to begin in the summer of 2010 and take up to two years to complete, he said.

The final phases, including a passenger center and second office building, may take five to 15 years and a total of $40 million to finish.

MEO provides transportation for the elderly, young people and those with special needs. The agency has a 90-vehicle fleet in a baseyard near Queen Ka'ahumanu Center that is too cramped, Baz said.

The new transportation hub's first phase will include a new access road, large office building as well as a maintenance center and facilities for washing, fueling and cleaning buses. The facility's parking lots would have room for up to 150 buses at a time by the end of its anticipated 30-year life span, Baz said.

MEO also is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, with the help of its design team from Chris Hart & Partners Inc. of Wailuku. Council Member Mike Molina said the structures would be the largest LEED-certified facility in Central Maui.

County planner Ann Cua said county officials found no record or evidence of chemical contamination at the site, which had been used to grow cane before going fallow for a number of years.

Project plans also call for a retention basin to catch water runoff. Baz said recycled water will be used to wash vehicles at the facility.

Council Member Wayne Nishiki expressed concern about traffic backing up on Hansen Road. The transit hub, which will be located behind the A&B Sugar Museum, will connect to Hansen Road and then Mokulele and Hana highways.

Department of Public Works Deputy Director Mike Miyamoto said MEO will address potential traffic congestion by building a left-turn lane for its facility from Hansen Road to the hub's access road. And Maui County plans to begin construction this month on a plan to straighten Hansen Road at the bridge near the Puunene Post Office, he said.

Charlene Shibuya, an engineer with the state Department of Transportation on Maui, said the state has accepted MEO's plans to mitigate traffic impacts.

Council Members Joe Pontanilla and Molina disclosed before voting that they sit on the MEO board and asked whether they must abstain from voting.

The other five members present (Council Members Danny Mateo and Bill Medeiros were absent and excused) voted unanimously to allow them to vote.

Council Member Jo Anne Johnson, in consultation with the county's Department of the Corporation Counsel, said she believes a council rule calls for members to abstain from voting on matters from which they would financially benefit. Obviously, the only people who will benefit here are the county's most vulnerable citizens, she said.

* Chris Hamilton can be reached at chamilton @mauinews.com.