6/20/25 #kihei
For most of the past decade we have watched a “mystery” unfold at the Maui Research & Technology Park (renamed Līpoa). Before there was a brewery and a high school, right in that same area, a sign announced: “Regency Maui Nursing and Rehabilitation Center”. It remained there for years, but then construction began at 1347 Ninau St, and a series of interconnected structures were built. Landscaping was completed, a roadway encircled the buildings. parking lot striped, but it was never occupied. Sometime later a new sign appeared atop the main entrance, Luana Living of Kihei by OPH – Ohana Pacific Health – “the largest post-acute care organization in the state”.
And yet the facility remained completely unoccupied, and still remains so today. SEE TEN YEARS AFTER : Some Progress at the Kihei R & T Park.
At rear of the completed complex
We still are unclear on the reason, but there seems to be some sort of dispute about the land use at the location. We would expect no entity would proceed building unless everything was coordinated, but the facility remains vacant for several years now.
So what is new? The firm that constructed this, Regency Namakua, is now seemingly pursuing building a new hotel – a proposed 142-room Hilton Suites hotel – right next door, at 1355 N Ninau Street.
Regency at the center right
They will be before the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday 6/24 See Item B at https://www.mauicounty.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/32890.
So what does Regency Namakua say?
Regency Namakua has built a medical facility on the adjacent lot to the proposed hotel use. This parcel was built under MCC Chapter 19.33 regulations and was deemed an appropriate use in the Kīhei Park. In 2016, Regency Namakua decided not to “convert” to the MRTP zoning district as they believed they could build and operate desired operations under the old Kīhei Park rules. Subsequently, they are requesting this Use Determination for a potential hotel use in the Kīhei Park.
The Planning Dept appears to be in favor of a hotel for this site. The wellness facility next door remains vacant after nearly a decade.
The Commissioners are asked to decide Tuesday morning, June 24 concerning a hotel, but not the status of these buildings constructed long ago, but we wonder if this situation will be part of the discussion?
Some of the buildings in this wellness facility remain vacant, but clearly the grounds are well kept
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That sounds like a terrible idea! It seems like a serious misstep feeling a hotel right across the street from a school and next door to a nursing facility. Seriously out of place. I thought that area would be improved and utilized for residents.
Some 15+ years ago the Nursing and Rehab center was advertised online as being built as part of the EB5 investor visa program. All references to that disappeared over the years, and as you said, it sadly remains mysteriously empty and unused. Such a waste of those investors’ dollars. I do wonder if those investors ever did get their EB5 visas, or if it was an epic fail or scam.