Projects
Land Use Planning and Permitting
Four Seasons Resort at Mānele Bay Improvements
Client: Pulama Lana’i
Pulama Lana’i proposed a major renovation to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay to refresh and renovate the property. The renovations included the consolidation of existing guest rooms to create an Alii Suite, renovations to the existing pool and restaurant area to create a new guest experience as well as a refreshing of the hotel lobby to update amenities and decor including the addition of a famed Nobu restaurant. The guest rooms also received attention, with renovations to the interiors.
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga assisted Pulama Lana’i with the Special Management Area Use Permit, Project District permitting and building permits for the transformation. The newly refreshed property opened for guests in February 2016.
Kaanapali Ocean Resort, Lot 3
Client: Starwood Westin
The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort, Lot 3, is a 390-unit timeshare project located in the heart of Ka’anapali, North Beach, on Maui.
Services: 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.
Makena H-M Redevelopment Project
Client: ATC Makena
ATC Makena is proposing to transform the existing Makena Beach & Golf Resort into a new residential community consisting of apartment condominiums, spa hale, beach cottages and multi-family units, as well as related resort amenities.
Services: In addition to preparing and processing a Special Management Area (SMA) permit for the project, MH’s work included presentations before the County’s Urban Design Review Board as well as the Maui Planning Commission.
Maui Lani Shopping Center, Project District Phase II Approvals
Client: Maui Lani
The expanding Maui Lani Shopping Center is home to the one of the state’s largest Safeway markets, as well as other popular stores and businesses that serve central Maui’s booming residential areas.
Services: MH processed approvals through the Project District Phase II and Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Environmental Assessment protocols. In addition these approvals, MH facilitated an extensive community engagement process to address concerns from neighboring residents. Finding common ground with community stakeholders was an important component of MH’s work program.
Sempra Auwahi Wind Project
Client: Sempra U.S. Gas & Power
The 21-MW eight-turbine wind farm is located on the lower slopes of Ulupalakua Ranch on the southeast coast of Maui. 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.
Services: MH assisted the joint venture of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and BP Wind Energy to efficiently move its Auwahi Wind Project through all regulatory, groundbreaking and launch phases. The Project was completed in December 2012, providing 150 local construction jobs along the way.
Westin Maui Resort and Spa Renovation
Client: Westin Maui
The Westin Maui Resort and Spa, located in the Kaanapali Resort, had not undergone a major refresh since it opened in 1988. The proposed updates included a new parking garage, expansion of the existing ballroom/convention areas, the existing spa and a restaurant area as well as other amenities. A portion of the proposed improvements was located within the Shoreline Setback Area for the site.
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga assisted the Starwood Hotels and Resorts team with the preparation and processing of the Chapter 343 HRS Environmental Assessment, SMA Use Permit and Shoreline Setback Variance. MH also facilitated outreach efforts with the neighboring landowners and the Kaanapali Operations Association review of the project.
West Maui Hospital and Medical Center
Client: Newport Hospital Corporation
Newport Hospital Corporation proposed the development of a new acute care hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center, assisted living facility, and medical offices.
Services: MH provided required land use permits for the project including a State Land Use District Boundary Amendment, Community Plan Amendment, Change in Zoning, and Project District Phase I, II, and III approvals.
Whalers Village Fine Shops & Restaurants Revitalization
Client: General Growth Properties
General Growth Properties (GGP) proposed a $24 million project to renovate and expand the Whalers Village Shopping Center.
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga assisted with preparation and processing of a parking variance for the expansion project. Upon unanimous approval by the Board of Variances and Appeals, MH prepared and processed a SMA Use Permit, as well as assisting with building permit coordination for the expansion. Besides the regulatory processes, we provided outreach and coordination with the Kaanapali Operators Association (KOA), including navigation through KOA’s comprehensive design review process.
Environmental Review
Hale Mahaolu Ewalu Affordable Elderly Housing
Client: Hale Mahaolu, Kahului, Maui
Providing critical, affordable elderly housing in Maui County for over 40 years, Hale Mahaolu recently purchased property in the Kulamalu area on Maui to build an independent living complex called Hale Mahaolu Ewalu. The project includes 61 units containing one and two-bedroom units, a senior center and an Adult Day Care Center. With this holistic approach, the non-profit organization provides its residents with easy access to services and care in close proximity to their residence.
Services: MH assisted Hale Mahaolu through the preparation of the Chapter 343, HRS Environmental Assessment (EA), HRS Chapter 201G-118 Affordable Housing application and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) EA process to secure funding for the project construction.
Iao Water Treatment Plant Improvements
Client: Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates
County of Maui Department of Water Supply
The County of Maui’s Department of Water Supply proposed a replacement of the Iao Water Treatment Plant in Wailuku.
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga prepared the Chapter 343, HRS Environmental Assessment for the Project.
Kahului Airport Access Road, Phase I
Client: State of Hawai’i
Department of Transportation (DOT)
The State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation Highways Division was responsible for the design and construction of Phase I of a new roadway that would provide travelers with a more direct access to the Kahului Airport. The Airport Access Road Phase I spanned from the Puunene Avenue in the south to the intersection with Hana Highway in the north.
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga prepared and processed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment for the project. MH also assisted Fukunaga & Associates with the public informational meetings for the project.
Lahaina Bypass Southern Terminus Relocation
Client: Makila Land Company
The proposed project involves the relocation of the southern terminus of the Lahaina Bypass in West Maui.
Services: MH is assisting the Federal Highways Administration and the State Department of Transportation with addressing Federal (National Environmental Policy Act) and State (Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statues) environmental review and related consultation requirements for the project.
Lahaina Pier Improvements
Client: State of Hawai’i
Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR)
This proposed project involves construction of a new inter-island ferry pier and related landward improvements at the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor in Lahaina, Maui.
Services: MH assisted the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) with the preparation of a Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential impacts associated with the project as well as to present mitigation measures identified through technical studies and consultation processes with Federal State, and County agencies.
In conjunction with the EIS, MH also prepared a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusion (CatEx) for the project, which was approved by the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). Currently in the next phase of work, MH is assisting the State with obtaining discretionary approvals needed to construct the improvements.
Construction Permitting
Lana’i Building Permits
Client: Pulama Lana’i
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga assisted Pulama Lana’i with the preparation and the processing of multiple building permits for the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. This included coordination with related agencies, as well as other permitting projects within Lanai City such as the renovation of the Lanai Theater, improvements to Richards Market and the Hospice House.
Technical & Feasibility Studies
Banyan Drive Feasibility Studies
Client: State of Hawai’i
Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR)
The State of Hawai’i owns land along Banyan Drive in Hilo, Hawai’i currently leased out for various resort uses. In anticipation of the expiration of those leases, DLNR commissioned studies to plan for future development of the area.
Services: DLNR retained Munekiyo Hiraga to prepare technical and feasibility studies for the Banyan Drive area on Hawai’i Island. Munekiyo Hiraga prepared a tourism market study, master lease feasibility analysis, and sea level rise analysis.
Hale Mahaolu Ewalu Affordable Elderly Housing Market Study
Client: Hale Mahaolu
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga prepared a housing market study for Hale Mahaolu’s proposed affordable senior rental project in Pukalani, Maui. Used to support Hale Maholu’s financing applications, the market study assessed demographic, economic, and housing market conditions on Maui.
Makena H-M Redevelopment Project:
Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis and Transportation Management Plan
Client: ATC Makena
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga prepared and processed a SMA Use Permit for the proposed redevelopment of the existing Makena Beach & Golf Resort to a new residential community.
In support of the SMA Use Permit application, MH also conducted various technical studies: 1) a fiscal and economic impact analysis, which assessed the project’s impacts on the County and State general funds and local economy; 2) a transportation management plan which identified transportation demand management measures for implementation during the construction period and during project operation
Community Engagement and Government Affairs
Hana Bridges and Preservation Plan
Client: State of Hawai’i
Department of Transportation (DOT)
The Plan provides recommendations for preserving approximately 43 historic bridges within the State of Hawaii-owned portion of the Hana Belt Road Historic District.
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga served as the lead community outreach consultant in the preparation of the Hana Bridges Preservation Plan. Outreach efforts included stakeholders from across the region, including several neighborhood and community groups.
Ka’anapali 2020
Client: Ka’anapali Land Managment Corp. (KLMC)
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.
Services: Munekiyo Hiraga worked closely with KLMC, its project consultant team and stakeholder groups to facilitate the formulation of the Ka’anapali 2020 Plan.
The project continues to move forward in its land entitlement and implementation phase. Our technical and service support for the current Community Advisory Group helps ensure effective and efficient decision-making in a timely manner.
Strategic Advisory & Other Consulting Services
County of Maui, Commercial Ocean Recreational Activities Study
Client: County of Maui
Department of Planning
The County of Maui’s Department of Parks & Recreation mandate includes the effective management of the County’s beach parks to ensure an optimal recreational experience by residents and visitors alike.
Services: 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.
County of Maui, Wailuku Campus Space Study
Client: County of Maui
The Wailuku Campus Master Plan was prepared for the County of Maui to provide baseline data and analysis to facilitate dialogue and planning for County offices and related facilities in and around the Wailuku Civic Center.
Services: MH was retained to determine facility and spatial location requirements to meet future needs for the County of Maui. This effort also involved an assessment of functional relationships among County agencies to identify potential synergies for facility use.
MECO 69 KV Transmission Line Route Alternatives Study
Client: Maui Electric Company
Services: As part of Maui Electric Company’s long-range transmission system improvement planning program, Munekiyo Hiraga conducted a route alternatives study for a proposed 69 kilovolt transmission line from the Maalaea Power Plant to the South Maui Region.
This technical study involved the identification of route options, and the formulation of evaluation criteria to support the ranking preferences for each alternative. Land use, environmental, operational and community impact considerations were part of the alternative evaluation process.
