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WAILUKU -- The Maui Planning Commission has approved major permits for a $75 million south Maui residential subdivision that includes the donation of 20 acres of archaeologically sensitive land to the University of Hawaii. South Maui subdivision
sets aside land for
UH cultural preserveBy Gary T. Kubota
Star-BulletinDeveloper Everett Dowling has also agreed to build a native Hawaiian botanical garden, a caretaker's dwelling, a garage and a workshop on the cultural preserve at Palauea to be operated by university officials.
University professor Bion Griffin said he looked forward to a new era of collaboration among university officials at Manoa, Maui Community College and the community.
"The land will not be simply used for archaeological excavation, but will instead be carefully planned for sustainable education and and cultural heritage enrichment," said Griffin, chairman of the university's Department of Anthropology.
Griffin said the university will develop a cultural resources management plan for the parcel.
The 20-acre site contains more than 269 archaeological features, including a fishing shrine and heiau built between 1500 and 1700, according to a study.
State historic preservation official Melissa Kirkendall, whose division supported the project, said the parcel offered people an opportunity to study Hawaiian sites prior to Western contact through the ranching era, and also shows their relationship to one another.
"There's not anything quite like it at this time," said Kirkendall.
Dowling, the managing partner of Palauea Developers and a member of the university Board of Regents, said he'll be building houses on 17 one-acre lots on the remaining 24 acres.
He plans to start sales in December and construction by late spring or early summer of next year.
Several investors tried to develop the 44-acre parcel during the last 20 years but ran into opposition from native Hawaiian residents who opposed the destruction of archaeological sites.
Through his land donation, Dowling has gained support of the project from a number of Hawaiians, including cultural specialist Charles Maxwell who described Dowling as having "community vision."
Dowling said he has formed a committee that includes native Hawaiian residents who will be helping to determine the future use of the cultural preserve.
While the subdivision will be a "gated" community, the entrance to the cultural preserve will be open to the public, investors say.
At the nearby Wailea resort, half-acre lots have sold for about $1 million, according to investors.
The county Cultural Resources Commission will be reviewing the design for the structures.
Dowling has developed a number of projects, including Kamali'i Elementary School in Kihei, the state Department of Hawaiian Homes' Waiehu Kou 2, and Kulamanu, which includes the Maui campus of Kamehameha Schools.
Under the permits approved yesterday, the preserve will be deeded over to the University of Hawaii and jointly managed by three university entities -- the Center for Hawaiian Studies, the Department of Anthropology and Maui Community College.
Ka Leo O Hawaii
University of Hawaii
