Project Lead

Maui Economic Recovery Commission (MERC)

Project Type

Natural Resources & Environment

Plan Alignment

Maui ERC Report

Brief Description:

The Kahuwai Coalition will provide leadership for organizing, educating and conducting outreach such that the community can be informed on the systems, governance, data, and technical aspects of all forms of wai – a public trust without exception or distinction.

Milestones:

Draft Water Shortage Plan in progress
Q1 2026: Obtained $77,000 from the Hawaii Community Foundation and $50,000 annually over three years from Ulupono Initiative.
April 2026: Held community sessions
June 2026: Cross-ERC team sessions with Lahaina Business Project and Ag & Food Systems

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Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C

Extension of the Lahaina Bypass to Kakaalaneo Drive from its current terminus at Keawe Street.

Lahaina Harbor Restoration

Reconstructing Lahaina Harbor to restore recreational, commercial, and cultural maritime activity.

Rebuild the West Maui Senior Center

Rebuilding the West Maui Senior Center facility in Lahaina to restore programs and services for kūpuna.

Long-Term Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP)

Disaster Case Managers guide residents through needs assessment, recovery planning, and long-term care.

West Maui Greenway

Phase 1 is a 5.25 mile segment of the full 25-mile alignment multiuse trail from Lahaina Civic Center to Launiupoko Beach Park in West Maui.

R-1 Recycled Water Expansion

Improving and expanding recycled water distribution infrastructure across West Maui communities.

Lahaina Royal Complex

Cultural corridor and restoration of Malu 'Ulu o Lele, Moku'ula, and the Loko o Mokuhinia Complex.

Lahaina Business Project

Site development to reopen local businesses with retail, community gathering, and cultural space.

Enhance Emergency Communication Networks

Upgrading emergency communication systems to close gaps and strengthen islandwide response capacity.

Creation of Lahaina Memorial

Creating a Lahaina Memorial honoring lives lost and providing a healing space for the community.

Preservation, Revitalization, and Reconstruction of Historic and Cultural Spaces

Rebuilding historic sites, supporting cultural programs, and documenting oral histories of Lahaina.

Wahikuli Subdivision Gravity Sewer System

New sewer system for Wahikuli replacing cesspools serving approximately 231 area households.

Ke Ola Hou

Multipurpose West Maui community center providing affordable space for health, education, and services.

National Historic Landmark District Update

Preparing an updated National Historic Landmark District nomination for Lahaina to NPS standards.

Green Workforce Development

Green job opportunities in Maui supporting environmental restoration and sustainable economic growth.

West Maui Hospital

New Critical Access Hospital in West Maui offering emergency, surgical, and inpatient care services.

Maui County Ferry

Supporting ferry service to Lanai, reviving Lahaina service, and expanding routes to Moloka'i.

Asset Management and Acquisitions Program

Program acquiring real property in the impact zone, including shoreline parcels facing rising seas.

Energy Resilience and Redundancy

Assessing current energy infrastructure and identifying ways to improve power resilience, backup systems and energy independence in West Maui.

Affordable Rental Housing Programs

Rebuilding affordable rental housing lost in the wildfires across ten multifamily developments.

Homeowner Support Programs

Expanded financial assistance and long-term housing support for residents affected by the wildfires.

Economic Innovation and Development

Targeted funding and training for tech, manufacturing, workforce, and infrastructure development.

West Maui Business Center (WMBC)

Continuing the West Maui Business Center to provide tools, resources, and support to local businesses.

Building Resilience Incentives

Incentivizing stronger building codes to increase community resilience against future hazards.

Healthcare Service Expansion

Assessing gaps in health, behavioral health, and social services to guide expansion across West Maui.

Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring and Sampling Plan (CEMSP)

Monitoring environmental conditions and improving public access to environmental health data islandwide.

Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Advancement Program

Improving the County's ability to identify, mitigate, and respond to all-hazard threats islandwide.

Street Connectivity and Extensions

Fire evacuation connectivity across roadways to support public safety and future emergency response.

Kuhua Street Extension

New public roadway mauka of Honoapiʻilani Highway extending two miles east from Keawe Street.

Lahaina Water Infrastructure Firefighting Capacity

Upgrading Lahaina's water storage, pipelines, and flow capacity to strengthen firefighting response.

Stormwater Resilience and Flood Risk Management

Updating drainage plans and developing flood control improvements to protect Lahaina and West Maui.

Community Facilities

Replacement planning for the King Kamehameha III Elementary School and the Lahaina Public Library.

Lahaina Water Infrastructure Resilience and Hardening

Hardening Lahaina's water system with backup power, added supply, and upgraded critical facilities.

Watershed Planning for Revegetation & Reforestation of Lahaina & Kula

Watershed and water recovery planning uniting agencies and communities across Lahaina and Kula.

Wildfire Risk Reduction and Mitigation

Reducing wildfire risk through prevention, updated protection plans, and West Maui resilience work.

Agriculture Planning & Long Term Food Security

Planning to develop and prioritize agriculture, farms, food systems, and ecosystems in Lahaina moku.

Water Source Development

Expanding water access through new groundwater sources and connections to the County potable system.

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Kahuwai Coalition