For the second time this month, committee members heard about Kilohana Makai from workforce housing developer Aina Lani Pacific LLC and its president, Howard Kihune Jr. If approved, the project would include 28 single-family homes on about 7 acres parallel to South Kihei Drive, just inland of Keawakapu Beach.

The committee, chaired by Council Member Tamara Paltin, discussed the project Wednesday but did not take action on a proposal to change the site’s zoning from open zone to residential district.

Kilohana Makai home prices would range from $400,000 to about $640,000, according to Kihune Jr. Both one-story and two-story residences with layouts of two bedrooms, two bathrooms or four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms would be constructed. Lot sizes span 6,000 to 14,000 square feet, with an average of around 7,000 square feet.

Aina Lani Pacific LLC is in contract with landowners Ferreira Family Partners LP and aims to acquire the land by the end of the year.

A Maui County Council committee is mulling whether to allow a change in zoning for a proposed 28-unit affordable housing project on this parcel along South Kihei Road, across from Keawakapu Beach. The homes would range in price from $400,000 to $600,000. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

Under the county’s residential workforce housing policy, Kilohana Makai homes would be sold to residents only.

Per the rules, 30 percent of project homes would go to residents with below-moderate household income ($87,750 according to federal area median income statistics); 50 percent would go to moderate ($107,250); and 20 percent would go to above moderate ($126,750).

The project comprises 100-percent workforce housing and would net 21 housing credits, worth $25,000 each, for the developer.

Kihune Jr. said during the meeting that he has already received 75 inquiries, which are not formal applications, due to publicity surrounding the project.

Council members on Wednesday discussed, among other issues, whether ohanas, or accessory dwellings, would be allowed. The developer intended to have utility conduits installed for homeowners to later construct accessory dwellings if desired. However, traffic is a concern in the already busy beach area.

“We are just making sure we mitigate traffic, which entails having an egress and ingress out from the subdivision without having to get into other subdivisions,” Kihune Jr. said after the meeting. “The HOA (homeowners) associations did not want to have ohanas as part of the project. They are concerned it will add more traffic.”

Mike Moran, Kihei Community Association president, said in recent written testimony that there should be countywide examination of all development near the coastline.

“Climate change negative effects are coming more and more quickly and we believe it is necessary to lean toward a precautionary principle attitude about nearshore development and cease piecemeal changes,” Moran wrote.

Kihune Jr. said after the meeting that the developer is aware of climate change concerns but that county Planning Department studies show the Kilohana Makai area is not touched by projected sea level rise. 

Some committee members said they wanted project meetings where the community could weigh in. 

Public testimony on the project was held at the committee meeting earlier this month. Written submissions and minutes may be viewed at the Maui County Council website at mauicounty.us/agendas.

Kihune Jr. said the developer has already met with a few homeowner associations around the project site and other meetings are in the works.

He added that the committee may take action at its next meeting likely in July, which has yet to be scheduled.

* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.