The Maui County Planning Department is holding five public meetings across the island to gather community input on redrawing the Special Management Area boundary, which hasn’t been reassessed since the 1970s. The review aims to modernize the boundary based on climate, environmental, and cultural factors while reducing permitting burdens.
- Five in-person meetings are scheduled island-wide in September and October 2026, covering West Maui, Central Maui, East Maui, North Shore, and South Maui.
- The SMA boundary determines where coastal zone permitting requirements apply, so any changes could affect what property owners near the shoreline need to do to develop or modify properties.
- The project will only produce boundary recommendations — it will not change SMA rules themselves or cover Molokāʻi or Lānaʻi.
- First two meetings are Sept. 23 in Lahaina and Sept. 24 in Kahului, both from 5–7 p.m.; three October dates are still to be confirmed.
- Property owners can find more information and participate online at ssfm.konveio.com/islandofmauiSMA.
Source: Mauirecovers
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