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KAHULUI -- On Friday May 10, the State Board of Land and Natural Resources ("BLNR") unanimously approved the purchase of a 257- acre parcel in Maalaea.
During the meeting, BLNR Chairperson Dawn Chang said there was extensive community support for the acquisition of the Pohakea Watershed, also referred to as Maalaea Mauka.
In response to the decision, Tom Cook, South Maui's Council Member said, "I've been extremely supportive of the acquisition of this valuable parcel. Under the Victorino Administration, the County appropriated $6.2 million in Open Space funds and the State contributed $1 million from its Legacy Land Conservation Program to acquire the parcel."
Additionally, the landowner provided a land donation worth $1.02 million. Council member Cook worked closely with the Mā'alaea Village Association ("MVA"), the Trust for Public Lands ("TPL"), and the current County Administration to revive the funding for the acquisition.
Following the wildfires, it was apparent that this parcel would be essential to reducing fire risk, improving wildfire resiliency, and reducing erosion and stormwater run-off to minimize damage to the reefs at the nearby harbor.
Cook says he was determined to push this long-sought acquisition across the finish line.
"This represents the culmination of a multi-year effort by the State, County, MVA, and TPL to incorporate this large parcel into the Pōhākea Watershed/Mā'alaea Mauka," he said.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen also applauded the State BLNR and expressed gratitude for the many people and organizations that collaborated to finalize this important acquisition.
"Thanks to the efforts of the state DLNR, along with the BLNR, the County and Mā'alaea community groups, this significant opportunity for conservation is now a reality," Bissen noted. "Everyone has worked together in the best interest of our 'āina and our people, and soon the real work of rehabilitation can begin. The environmental protection of this land will benefit many future generations." While the State will have responsibility for the maintenance and preservation of the parcel, the County was keen to preserve certain easements for recreation, such as: hiking trails, three water wells, and a 750,000-gallon water storage tank. The Lāhainā Pali Trail will remain open to the public.