Deal would reopen part of historic trail on Maui

A major portion of the Old Makena-Ulupalakua Road in South Maui would be reopened as a historic trail under an out-of-court settlement between the landowner and various organizations, including Maui Tomorrow.

The road, extending from Ulupalakua to Makena, was shut down more than 30 years ago, after then-owner Ulupalakua Ranch decided to close it.

Community group Ho‘oponopono o Makena said the road, extending several miles, was commissioned as a trail during the reign of Kamehameha III in the mid-1800s and was a way for breadfruit growers who lived in Ulupalakua to trade with fishing people in Makena.

“People can learn about history from the trail, “ said Ashford Kaleolani DeLima, Ho‘oponopono’s president.

The eventual opening of the trail is among a number of concessions agreed upon by ATC Makena Holdings LLC, a consortium of investors who are redeveloping the Makena Resort. The resort, previously known as the Maui Prince Hotel, with 310 rooms was closed July 1, 2016.

ATC plans to convert the old hotel into luxury condominiums and add residences and commercial space on the 1,754-acre property.

Maui Tomorrow, Sierra Club Maui Group and Ho‘oponopono o Makena filed a lawsuit in state Environmental Court in early May, challenging the Maui Planning Commission’s finding of “no significant impact” for a portion of ATC Makena’s project.

As part of the settlement with community groups, ATC agreed to reduce the number of units makai of the main county road to 134, down from 158; improve scenic views; increase the number of archaeological sites for preservation to 22 from seven; and complete an environmental impact statement, according to Maui Tomorrow.

Sean Hehir, a spokesman for ATC partner Trinity Investments, said the partnership was happy that an out-of-court settlement has been reached in principle.

“With the litigation behind us, we look forward to continued collaboration with the community,” Hehir said.

Under a coastal permit, the consortium has to start construction by July 31, 2020, and have the project completed within 10 years.

Maui Tomorrow Executive Director Albert Perez said the settlement calls for limiting the number of units to 1,100, including 60 units available to working families in perpetuity.

“We saw this as a way to get local people back to the land in Makena … so we’re not creating this gentrification situation,” Perez said.

ATC will also contribute $363,000 to a community benefit fund, and every housing unit will contribute $125 annually or more, based on inflation, to the fund for cultural activities and resource programs, Maui Tomorrow said.

Perez said the settlement has been agreed upon but hasn’t been signed, pending legal review.