The Maui News

A new phase of public engagement for the South Maui Community Plan update will now include community design, the Maui County Planning Department announced last week.

The department will be gathering input virtually on areas that the community thinks should change and those that should stay the same in South Maui. The community input will guide the land use plan, policies and actions in the draft South Maui Community Plan update.

“This plan will determine South Maui’s direction for the next 20 years,” Mayor Michael Victorino said in a news release. “It’s very important for planners to hear from area residents early in the planning process before decisions are made. Online meetings make it convenient for everyone to participate.” There are three ways to get involved. First, beginning Tuesday through Oct. 26, the department will host “South Maui Talk Story Tuesdays” from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.via Zoom. Residents can share their thoughts and insight by using the Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82823973989pm.

The second option is by participating in the department’s online community design workshop online through Oct. 17, where residents can use simple mapping technology on personal computers or smartphones. Residents can drop pins on a map of South Maui to locate places for change or preservation. To visit the workshop, go to: https://wearemaui.mysocialpinpoint.com/cdmap#/sidebar/tab/how_to_use_the_map.

Lastly, long-range planners will be invited to talk with specific community groups to answer questions and to discuss any concerns and suggestions. If residents have a group or club that would like to share its vision for South Maui’s future, contact the planning department to schedule a virtual meeting by emailing wearesouthmaui@mauicounty.gov.

While in-person community design workshops are the preferred way to gather public input, the “pandemic has made it necessary for the planning department to use an online format for community engagement,” according to the news release. For more information on the South Maui Community Plan update process, visit the project website at southmaui.wearemaui.org, or follow the department on Facebook or Instagram.