The Kihei Wellness Center was reviewed by KCA’s planning committee. Please provide comments on the documents below:
| SMA Signature Page | SMA Application | Kihei Site-Bldg Rendering |
| Kihei Exhibit 17 TIAR | Kihei Exhibit 16 Archaeology | Kihei Exhibit 15 Flood |
| Kihei Exhibit 14 Photos | Kihei Exhibit 8-13 | Kihei Exhibit 1-7 |
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The old flood plan is inadequate for this project. FEMA has issued new flood maps, and S. Kihei Road flooding has increased due to development here and upcountry. The new building is larger, and the design seems to cover the existing flood pond. Without additional study, the design may reduce the runoff from the site and thus increase flooding on S. Kihei Road. This project needs to be conditioned to improve the handling of runoff so that the existing flooding can be eliminated.
Where can we find the flood maps?
I was shocked to see the new proposed building of 23,745 square feet with 65 parking stalls.
This parcel is in between a lovely residential subdivision and Maui Gardens, a 90 unit residential condo complex. This will have a very negative effect on approximately 130 residences in the neighborhood. I think it would be a disaster to allow rezoning this parcel from Residential to Commercial (B-2). I read what uses are allowed in B-2. There are 66 different types of uses allowed in B-2.
I see lots of office spaces available for rent in Kihei, in fact, some of them have been sitting without tenants for a couple years. We obviously do not need more office space in Kihei.
The Kihei veterinary Clinic which is on the lot beside this one and nearest to Maui Gardens has had a conditional use permit allowing them to run their business in this residential area is also asking for a rezoning right now. I think we need to be very thoughtful about the changes that will occur in this area if these changes were to occur.
I am opposed to any changes that would occur from rezoning this area from Residential to Commercial.
A. This is a flood zone: after heavy rains or runoff from the mountain it is not uncommon for Waiohuli St. to look like a river; runoff also impacts the residences on Halama Street, especially those that are on piers (elevated). it is not uncommon for elevated homes to experience water upto and/or beyond their steps
B. Slowing of traffic access to & from
Halama Street; anyone using Dr. Kehler’s clinic can vouch the difficulty accessing Kihei Rd. in heavy traffic
C. Many of the existing shopping/business centers already have enough empty spaces to accommodate commercial needs
D. Please keep the nature of these wetlands. The health of the
environment needs them. Has there been and environmental study done?
I am concerned about this proposed re-zoning (from residential to commercial) that would allow a commercial development to be built over and directly adjacent to fragile native wetlands that are sensitive to potential runoff and flooding issues, as well as the possible negative impact of the human interaction factor so close to endangered native birds. According to the documents filed with the proposed development’s Special Management Area application, the endangered Hawaiian stilt (A’eo) frequents the drainage pond on the property (the A’eo is listed on both the Federal and State endangered species lists). The proposed building would be partially built over this drainage pond.
According to the Special Management Area application, “The property is within the wetlands as defined by the Wetlands Location Map by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.”. Sensitive “Jurisdictional Wetlands” like these are regulated by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers under the federal Clean Water Act. In addition, I am also concerned that the outdated (nearly 20-year-old) erosion and drainage control plan (made in 1994 for a different proposed development and based on now-obsolete FEMA flood maps) states that only half of the expected runoff will be draining into an on-site retention basin while the other half will “flow into adjacent and downstream properties”. This area already has a well-known ponding and flooding problem, with the area experiencing regular flooding with heavy rains. The neighboring wetlands and nearby properties would undoubtedly have an increase in runoff due to the proposed development which includes 75% of the lot area being built out as non-draining hardscape (either building area or paved parking lot) .
The erosion and drainage control plan also states that the soil on the property is of the type found “in areas near the ocean where the water table is near the surface”. Today’s front-page Honolulu Star Advertiser Sunday paper headline (which prompted me to write this comment) was “UNDER WATER”. The article states that, based on new data, University of Hawaii scientists are concerned that low-lying coastal areas (especially ones with high water tables) can expect serious flooding via “groundwater inundation” as rising seas push up the water table. Properties like the ones in this area of Kihei where the water table is already near the surface will be most vulnerable to future flooding, and I am concerned that any changes to the existing wetlands area will only exacerbate the area’s flooding problems in the future.
In August 2002, the Maui County Planning Commission recommended to the County Council that this lot NOT be re-zoned to commercial, yet 10 years later, here we are again.