25 signatures reached
To: Hawaii Department of Transportation; Representative Elle Cochran
NEW PETITION : Protect our Sacred Spaces- No Road at Wahikuli Gulch/Canoe Beach/KGE Homes
We, the residents of Ka’anapali, Lahaina come together with heavy hearts to strongly oppose locating the bypass highway connector road at Wahikuli Gulch, Canoe Beach (Hanakao‘o Park), KGE/Ka‘anapali Hillside Communities.
This area is not just land—it is one of the dynamic pulses of our community. Placing an on/off ramp here would cause irreparable harm to places we cherish deeply. We urge you to choose one of the already paved, shovel-ready alternatives that currently exist and would save money while protecting what matters most.
Why this location is wholly inappropriate:
- Canoe Beach (Hanaka'o‘o Park) is a vibrant, active gathering place for our families and a cornerstone of Native Hawaiian culture. Generations of local families come here regularly for outrigger canoe racing practice and competitions (3 Canoe Clubs are based here); Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s 2025 Annual State Championship Regatta was held at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park. It is where children learn the ways of their ancestors, where ‘Ohana celebrate life’s milestones, and where the deep spiritual connection between our people and the ocean is kept alive. Turning this sacred space into a highway on/off ramp would create chaos, congestion and disruption to local families and affect the important preservation of our deeply felt Hawaiian cultural traditions.
- Hanakao‘o Cemetery lies right beside the beach. This historic resting place, with graves over 167 years old, honors the early Asian and Filipino immigrants who labored on Maui’s sugar and pineapple plantations. It stands as a quiet testament to their sacrifices and our island’s multicultural heritage. We cannot allow construction noise, dust, and traffic from an off/on connector road to disturb these hallowed grounds.
- Our quiet KGE/Ka‘anapali Hillside neighborhoods would suffer daily from increased air and noise pollution, plus disruptive “sky glow” from new highway lighting; from a connector road proposed to be located within 1,000 feet of Lanikeha Homeowner's residences. All ten of these communities are proudly designated “Dark Sky” communities. We have worked hard to preserve our ability to see the stars—something that nourishes our spirits and defines the special character of Hawaii, as it reflects the Native Hawaiian tradition of honoring, looking and navigating the celestial stars in our skies, aka Polynesian Wayfinding... A major road so close would destroy that peace forever.
- The endangered Pueo (Hawaiian short-eared owl) makes its home in Wahikuli Gulch. This endemic subspecies is already imperiled. Construction and ongoing traffic would threaten its habitat with noise pollution, air pollution, and light sky glow pollution that disrupts its natural hunting and nesting cycles. We have a responsibility to protect this unique native species for future generations.
- The proposed Regional Park for Lahaina families would also be affected, as the proposed connector road would run right next to it . This open space was part of KLM’s “Ka‘anapali 2020” plan and later revisions—intended to remain open, green and accessible for our community to heal, play, and reconnect after the fires.
Better, more economical alternatives already exist:
• BEST OPTION is Old Stuart Road (north of the Lahaina Fire Station): This paved road, near NO homes, already extends halfway up toward the proposed bypass. Extending it straight to Highway 30 and up to the bypass is straightforward and cost-effective.
• Leiali‘i Parkway (right of the Lahaina Post Office): This four-lane road (with only two lanes currently used) already has a signal at Highway 30 and a landscaped median. It is clearly designed for highway access and also extends halfway to the bypass; this is near the Hawaiian Homeland homes community so NOT the best option compared to the one above.
Both options are largely paved and “shovel-ready.” Choosing either would save significant taxpayer dollars and precious resources while respecting our community’s values.
We respectfully but urgently ask you to move the proposed connector road to one of these noted alternatives. Please listen to the voices of the families, cultural practitioners, environmental stewards, and residents who call this area home. Our natural resources, historical sites, cultural treasures, and quality of life must be protected—not sacrificed.
Together, we can build a bypass that serves Lahaina’s future while honoring our past and preserving the places that make West Maui so special. Our children, our elders, and the spirit of this land deserve nothing less.
Mahalo for your careful consideration and for standing with our community!
Why is this important?
ADD YOUR INPUT HERE ON EIR Website for Project
https://lahainabypassphase1c.org/share-your-feedback
We want to hear from you! LINK ABOVE !
https://lahainabypassphase1c.org/share-your-feedback
We want to hear from you! LINK ABOVE !
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT), in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has developed these engagement activities to gather community feedback on the Lahaina Bypass (Phase 1C) project.
NOW is the time for you to voice your concerns, thoughts and input. Please join your neighbors in this important effort to help our community! Pass this on to everyone in our community....Let's get 500+++ Signatures!!!