The wetland area of Ohiapilo Pond on Molokai is shown. ARLEONE DIBBEN-YOUNG photo

The Maui News

Molokai residents are being asked to weigh in on the creation of a Maui County wetlands map during a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. July 6 at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room in Kaunakakai, the county announced Tuesday.

As part of a new county law to restore and protect wetlands, planning officials are working on a comprehensive wetlands overlay map that will identify existing and future wetland areas. The map will be launched on the county website and help property owners, land managers and county planners with important land use decisions, according to the county.

Wetlands exist throughout all islands of Maui County and provide important benefits such as clean air, greenhouse gas regulation, storm protection, drought recovery, erosion control, soil formation, pollution control, regulation of hydrological flows, species habitat, pollination and food production, the county said.

The July 6 meeting will gather ideas from the community to help prepare the first draft of the overlay map. It will be facilitated by the county Planning Department, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program and consultant H.T. Harvey and Associates.

Molokai residents who cannot attend but would like to provide information can contact Long Range Division Planning Program Administrator Jacky Takakura at jacky.takakura@mauicounty.gov or (808) 270-7743.