The Maui News

Gov. David Ige has accepted final environmental impact statements for the Hana pier deck removal and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ industrial and business park in Pulehunui, according to the latest edition of “The Environmental Notice” published by the Office of Environmental Quality Control earlier this month.

For the Hana pier, plans call for removing the pier deck and access trestle, but leaving existing piles in place to avoid disturbing coral that has colonized the piles. The project is expected to take six months at a cost of $3.5 million. The state has said that the pier is currently deteriorated and a public safety hazard. But locals have said it is a landmark and worried about commercial activity.

State officials have said that after the final EIS is approved, the design and permitting process would begin, which typically takes about three years.

The state DLNR’s proposed 280-acre industrial and business park would allow for light industrial, commercial, government and nonprofit use on 66 lots of various sizes. The park also would include a 20.3-acre site for the proposed Division of Forestry and Wildlife administrative facilities and baseyard. The project aims to generate long-term revenue for the department and would be located on the Haleakala side of Maui Veterans Highway above the armory.

Construction could start in 2022, upon receipt of all required regulatory approvals and permits.

Infrastructure development will be done in phases, so that leasing some lots could begin possibly in 2024.

Total infrastructure costs are estimated between $114.8 million and $148.4 million.