Pulelehua zoning condition amendment gains Council committee approval, despite West Maui water scarcity concerns – Maui Now

Report on Maui Housing Developments and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Pulelehua Development Project: Addressing Housing and Water Scarcity

A Maui County Council committee has advanced a legislative measure aimed at restarting the stalled 304-acre Pulelehua housing development in West Maui. The project is critical for addressing regional housing needs, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.

• Project Scope: 500 total units, with Phase One comprising 240 units committed to being 100% affordable.
• Primary Obstacle: A lack of available water, which has halted progress despite the project being “shovel ready.” This challenge directly engages SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), highlighting the tension between development and the sustainable management of water resources.
• Developer: Paul Cheng of Maui Oceanview LP.

Legislative Action and Institutional Frameworks

The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee recommended the passage of Bill 132 to facilitate the project’s advancement. This action demonstrates the function of local government in creating enabling policy environments, a core principle of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

1. Bill 132 Purpose: To amend the project’s 2011 conditional zoning ordinance, clarifying its eligibility for exemptions under the Maui County Code’s water availability ordinance (“Show Me the Water” bill).
2. Intended Outcome: To allow the developer to proceed with seeking construction permits while continuing to resolve the water sourcing issue, thereby expediting the delivery of affordable housing.
3. Committee Vote: The bill was recommended for first-reading passage with a 7-1 vote.

Stakeholder Positions and SDG Implications

• Developer’s Position: The developer has invested significantly in site grading and water well development but is caught in a regulatory “loop” due to the water availability requirement. The project’s commitment to affordable housing is a partnership approach to achieving SDG 11, as referenced in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Department of Water Supply Position: The department stated that amending the zoning does not create new water capacity. It emphasized that the West Maui system was at capacity before the wildfires and that remaining resources must be reserved for the reconstruction of Lahaina. This position underscores the critical importance of SDG 6, ensuring water availability and sustainable management for all, especially for resilient recovery.
• Council Debate:
  • Proponents argued that removing regulatory obstacles one by one is necessary to achieve the end goal of housing, trusting that water solutions, such as the use of reclaimed wastewater, are forthcoming. This reflects a strategy to incrementally build sustainable infrastructure (SDG 11).
  • The dissenting view expressed concern that the measure is misleading without a confirmed water source and that priority should be given to residents rebuilding after the disaster.

Hoʻonani Village Development Proposal

Project Overview and Sustainable Community Goals

The committee also reviewed the proposed 166.5-acre Hoʻonani Village development, which aims to further address the regional housing crisis in alignment with SDG 11.

• Project Scope: 1,600 apartment units, with 50% designated as workforce housing.
• Location: Near Hansen Road, between the old Puʻunēnē sugar mill and the Puʻunēnē Shopping Center.

Procedural and Environmental Concerns

Action on the Hoʻonani Village project was postponed due to procedural and environmental concerns that touch upon the need for robust institutional processes (SDG 16) and integrated planning for sustainable communities (SDG 11).

• Institutional Process: The project lacks a required recommendation from the Maui Planning Commission. This highlights the importance of adherence to established governance frameworks for transparent and accountable decision-making.
• Land Use and Zoning: The property is currently designated for agriculture by the state, requiring a change of designation from the state Land Use Commission before proceeding.
• Public Concerns: Testimony raised issues regarding the project’s proximity to Kahului Airport flight paths, potential traffic impacts, and infrastructure capacity, all of which are critical considerations for developing safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements under SDG 11.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The core conflict of the article revolves around water scarcity, the allocation of water resources for a new development, and the capacity of the existing water system in West Maui. The entire Pulelehua project is stalled due to a “lack of available water.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The article discusses the development of large-scale housing infrastructure (the Pulelehua and Hoʻonani Village projects). It highlights the challenges in infrastructure development, such as securing permits and ensuring basic services like water are available for new construction. The Pulelehua project is described as “shovel ready” with grading completed, indicating infrastructure work is underway but halted.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – This is a central theme, as the article focuses on the development of new housing projects to address a critical shortage, particularly “affordable units.” The need for housing is amplified by the displacement of residents after the Lahaina wildfires, linking directly to disaster recovery and building resilient communities.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article illustrates the complex interactions and conflicts between different stakeholders, including a private developer (Paul Cheng of Maui Oceanview LP), government bodies (Maui County Council, Department of Water Supply), and state commissions (Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management). The Council’s provision of “$15 million in Affordable Housing Fund support” is a clear example of a public-private partnership aimed at achieving development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. The article is fundamentally about creating housing. The Pulelehua project promises “hundreds of affordable units,” with a specific plan for “240 affordable homes” in its first phase. The Hoʻonani Village development also plans for “1,600 apartment units, with half designated as workforce housing,” directly addressing this target.
• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The debate over allocating “75,000 gallons of water per day” for the Pulelehua project amidst regional water scarcity is a direct reflection of this target. The Department of Water Supply’s statement that “there isn’t water available for water service because of a lack of capacity in the West Maui system” underscores the challenge of managing sustainable water withdrawals.
• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of people affected… by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. The article explicitly states that “West Maui housing is desperately needed after wildfires destroyed more than 2,200 structures in Lahaina in August 2023.” The push for the Pulelehua project is framed as a response to this disaster, aiming to provide housing for those displaced.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The entire narrative describes the process of a public-private partnership. The developer, Maui Oceanview LP, is working with the Maui County Council to amend a zoning ordinance. The Council’s financial support of “$15 million in Affordable Housing Fund support” for the private project is a tangible example of this collaboration.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 11.1 (Affordable Housing):
  • Quantitative Indicators: The article provides specific numbers that can be used as indicators of progress. These include the “240 affordable homes” planned for phase one of Pulelehua, the total “500-unit housing project,” and the “1,600 apartment units” planned for Hoʻonani Village.
  • Proportional Indicator: The proportion of affordable housing is also specified. Pulelehua’s first phase is planned to be “100% affordable,” and Hoʻonani Village will have “half designated as workforce housing.” This directly relates to measuring the provision of affordable housing.
• For Target 6.4 (Water Scarcity):
  • Quantitative Indicator: The proposed allocation of “75,000 gallons of water per day” is a specific metric related to water use and management for the new development.
  • Qualitative Indicator: The statement from the Department of Water Supply that the system was “at capacity before the wildfire” serves as a qualitative indicator of severe water stress in the region.
• For Target 11.5 (Disaster Recovery):
  • Quantitative Indicator: The figure of “more than 2,200 structures” destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires serves as a baseline indicator of the scale of the disaster and the subsequent need for housing and recovery efforts.
• For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):
  • Financial Indicator: The public financial commitment of “$15 million in Affordable Housing Fund support” from the Council to the private Pulelehua project is a direct, measurable indicator of a public-private partnership in action.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mauinow.com