County moves forward with temporary safe parking site
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Maui County is doing groundwork to provide a temporary safe parking site in Central Maui for unhoused residents who live in their vehicles.
The county said the temporary site along Pulehu Road is being designed to accommodate about 50 vehicles and provide a safer, more organized location for individuals currently living in their vehicles while a permanent site is being planned in Kahului.
"While we continue moving forward with a permanent solution, we cannot wait to address the immediate health and safety concerns along Pūlehu Road," Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release. "Our responsibility is to protect the well-being of everyone involved, including those living in their vehicles and the surrounding community."
Bissen added that creating the temporary site allows the county to take action now while working to open a more permanent facility.
Earlier this year, Maui County Council members asked why a safe parking pilot program for unhoused people living in their vehicles hadn't been opened, despite the County Council passing an ordinance supporting a safe parking site in September 2022.
The county said the project at the permanent site was delayed due to flooding during Kona low storms in March.
The temporary site is expected to include 24-hour contracted security, portable toilets, handwashing stations and access to potable water. Community agencies will also provide shower and laundry trailers on a regular schedule.
Construction equipment is seen at the site of a temporary safe parking facility along Pulehu Road in Central Maui. The county is preparing the site to accommodate about 50 vehicles for people experiencing homelessness. Photo courtesy Maui County
The Maui County Department of Public Works said the site preparation is estimated to cost between $500,000 and $600,000.
The department said, barring unforeseen weather conditions or other circumstances, site preparation is expected to be completed by the end of October.
The temporary site is on a portion of a 99-acre parcel in Central Maui.
County Department of Environmental Management Director Shayne Agawa said the temporary safe parking site will be turned into a county vehicular storage facility once the permanent safe parking facility is built.
According to the county, Bissen and Maui County Human Concerns Director Margaret Willis submitted a proposed bill on Sept. 17 requesting the County Council amend county code to expand the types of county parcels eligible for safe parking and reduce barriers to access for the intended population of unsheltered residents.
Bill 133 is scheduled for a presentation at the Council's Water Authority, Social Services and Parks (WASSP) Committee and is expected to be taken up at the full council meeting Oct. 23.
"Addressing the Pūlehu Road encampment has been a priority for many months, and we’ve worked closely with community stakeholders, service providers and individuals living in the area to develop a solution," Willis said. "Although the work may appear to be moving quickly, it reflects months of planning and coordination. The temporary site allows these individuals to stabilize and creates a safe space for community agencies to engage with them on next steps."