I hope everyone is learning about the mega-malls planned for Kihei, the largest in the state. This will change South Maui forever.
The idea that this was put together practically under the cover of darkness with the full blessing and support of the Arakawa administration is a shocking but not surprising way to see things getting done.
This land was zoned for a light industrial park with 20 conditions placed on it. The county has somehow decided that a huge retail complex passes for that, and the conditions are being totally ignored. What is going on here?
The questionable required traffic study from the developer states that the single entry point into the 700,000-square-foot project - the intersection at Kaonoulu Street - will be an "F"-rated intersection, which means that it fails. Can you imagine what this means to Kihei traffic along with the thousands of other proposed homes planned?
What does this mean for all the established local businesses? Occupants of this complex will likely be based out of state, taking the money right out of our economy. Retail jobs are lower paying than light industrial type jobs. Where is the water coming from, and where will rainwater runoff go?
Gokihei.org has more information about how to get involved. Maui-tomorrow.org has teamed up with others and is managing a defense fund, if you'd like to donate to fighting this project being rammed down the throat of Kihei.
Please hurry; the bulldozers are already there.
Maury King
Kihei
