Projects

Sheraton Kona at Keahou Bay Renovation

Project: Sheraton Kona at Keahou Bay Renovation

Client: Avenue Capital

Overview:
The Sheraton Kona at Keahou Bay was purchased by Avenue Capital in early 2011.  Shortly thereafter, a comprehensive renovation program was developed for the property.  The spirit and concept of the design elements were inspired by the rich local native Hawaiian cultural heritage and significance of the Keauhou area. A very efficient planning, design, permitting and construction schedule was established at the beginning of the project development cycle.  The MH project team identified design, development and permitting issues early in the planning stages to proactively work with the Hawaii County administration, achieving timely resolution of issues and obtaining necessary land use permits and development approvals.  The resort continued to operate during construction with minimal disruption to guests and full resort improvements were completed in the summer of 2012.

Andaz Maui at Wailea

Project: Andaz Maui at Wailea Project

Client: Andaz Maui at Wailea

Overview:
The Andaz Maui at Wailea recently opened as the Island’s newest luxury resort. Originally constructed in 1978, and operated as the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, the project involved the demolition of older resort facilities, the construction of new resort units, and the complete renovation of the previously existing main hotel structure. A Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for the project. In addition, a County of Maui Special Management Area (SMA) Permit, Shoreline Setback Variance (SSV) and Planned Development approvals were required as part of the land use and environmental review processes. The SMA, SSV and Planned Development processes required a highly focused and managed program of communication and coordination with a number of State and County agencies, particularly given the proximity of the project site to existing neighborhoods and public shoreline facilities. Issues and concerns relating to infrastructure systems and environmental impact mitigation were managed through a process of civil discourse which allowed affected parties to discuss priorities, positions, and potential solutions. MH’s values-driven approach which recognized the need to communicate with clarity and respect, helped to address the complexities and challenges of the development process.

Sempra Auwahi Wind Project

Project:  Auwahi Wind Farm

Client: Sempra U.S. Gas & Power

Photo courtesy of Sempra Gas & Power.

Overview:
MH assisted the joint venture of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and BP Wind Energy to efficiently move its Auwahi Wind project through the regulatory, groundbreaking and launch phases.  The 21-MW eight-turbine wind farm located on the lower slopes of Ulupalakua Ranch on the southeast coast of Maui, was completed in December 2012, providing 150 local construction jobs along the way.  The project’s eight turbines generate enough electricity to power approximately 10,000 typical Maui homes, bringing Hawaii closer to its goal of securing 40 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Westin Ka’anapaili Ocean Resort Villas, Lot 3

Location: Ka’anapali, Maui, Hawai’i

Client: Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. (SVO)

Services:
The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort, Lot 3, is a 390-unit timeshare project located in the heart of Ka’anapali, North Beach. Munekiyo Hiraga prepared and facilitated the processing of the project’s Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit application. This coordination involved closely working with SVO and its multi-disciplinary team of architects, civil engineers, traffic engineers, transportation planners, desalination contractors, hydrogeologists and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification specialists.

Status:
The project received its SMA permit approval from the Maui Planning Commission in February 2008, and is currently in the construction phase of work.

Commercial Ocean Recreation Activities (CORA) Study

Location: Island of Maui

Client: County of Maui, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)

Services:
The County of Maui, DPR’s authority includes the effective management of the County’s beach parks to ensure optimum and sustained recreational experience by residents and visitors. Munekiyo Hiraga was engaged to conduct a comprehensive ocean recreation study of 17 County-owned beach parks on the Island of Maui. The results were then used to formulate rules for better managing commercial ocean recreation activities (e.g., commercial kite boarding, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, etc.) that utilize County beach parks.

Status:
The final study report was completed in August 2006.

 Ka’anapali 2020

Location: Ka’anapali, Maui, Hawai’i

Client: Ka’anapali Land Managment Corp. (KLMC)

Services:
KLMC initiated a community-based master planning effort for an approximately 4,000-acre area in Ka’anapali. The process involved multiple meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders to develop an integrated land plan addressing affordable housing needs, medical facility needs, and transportation management considerations in a culturally sensitive context. Munekiyo Hiraga worked closely with KLMC, its project consultant team and stakeholder groups to facilitate the formulation of the Ka’anapali 2020 Plan.

Status:
Work on the Ka’anapali 2020 Plan continues today as it moves towards its land entitlement and implementation phase. Our company’s work with the current Community Advisory Group continues on an ongoing basis to ensure that the technical and service support needs of the group are provided in a timely manner, allowing for the group’s effective and efficient deliberation and decision-making.

Honua’ula (Wailea 670)

Location: Kihei, Maui, Hawai’i

Client: Honua’ula Partners LLC (HP)

Services:
HP completed its County Change in Zoning (CIZ) process in March 2008 for a 1,150 unit master-planned community in South Maui. The processing of the CIZ application through the Maui County Council involved ongoing coordination with HP, as well as closely working with State of Hawai’i and County of Maui agencies and County Council staff to ensure that issues and concerns raised during the review process were fully addressed in a time-sensitive manner. Munekiyo Hiraga assisted HP by providing the necessary technical, support and coordination services needed to facilitate processing of the application through the Council Committee and full Council processes.

Status:
Munekiyo Hiraga continues to work with HP in addressing compliance requirements for the project’s CIZ conditions.

Community Clinic of Maui, Maui Redevelopment Agency Variance

Location: Wailuku, Maui, Hawai’i

Client: Community Clinic of Maui (CCM)

Services:
CCM proposed the redevelopment of the former Ooka Super Market parcel in Wailuku for a community health center. The project site is located within the Wailuku Redevelopment Area and required a number of variances from the Wailuku Redevelopment Area Zoning and Development Code. Munekiyo Hiraga assisted CCM through the process by preparing the variance application and processing the application through the Maui Redevelopment Agency (MRA), including representing CCM at the MRA public hearing.

Status:
The MRA granted the requested variances to the CCM in September 2008.

Kona International Airport Improvements

Location: Kona, Hawai’i

Client: State of Hawai’i, Department of Transportation (DOT)

Services:
The DOT Airports Division has proposed improvements to the Kona International Airport. The scope of work includes improvements to its commuter terminal and parking area, and installation of photovoltaic panels. Munekiyo Hiraga through prime consultant KYA Design Group, prepared and processed a Chapter 343, Hawai’i Revised Statutes, Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project. The preparation of the EA involved consultation with numerous Federal, State and County agencies, as well as coordination with the consultant team and the DOT.

Status:
The State of Hawai’i’s Office of Environmental Quality Control published the Final EA as a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in September 2008.

Maui Homestead Regional Plans

Location: Various Maui Island Locations

Client: State of Hawai’i, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)

Services:
In its mission to effectively manage the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, DHHL embarked on a collaborative visioning and long-range planning process to foster partnership opportunities for its various homestead lands in the State of Hawai’i. Munekiyo Hiraga assisted the effort by preparing regional planning documents which address key issues, opportunities and constraints designed to promote the efficient allocation of resources by DHHL and potential public and/or private partnerships. Specifically, this included areas linked to the Departments lands at Waiehu Kou/Paukukalo, Villages of Leiali’i/Honokowai, and Keokea/Waiohuli.

Status:
The documents for each homestead area were completed in 2007 and 2008. Munekiyo Hiraga is currently in the process of updating these plans.