Maui Land plans development

Advertiser Staff

KAHULUI, Maui — Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. intends to turn 40 acres of former pineapple fields into an Upcountry "gathering place" featuring businesses and shops, multifamily housing, office space and light-industrial uses.

The company this week issued a draft environmental impact statement for the Upcountry Town Center, which would be in a triangle bordered by the Pukalani bypass highway, Makawao Avenue and the old Haleakala Highway.

Officials said the opportunity to develop occurred after the Pukalani bypass was built several years ago, cutting the parcel off from the rest of ML&P's pineapple operations.

The proposal calls for commercial, office and civic space; cottage industrial lots; and senior citizen or multifamily residential housing. There would also be 10 acres of open space.

According to the document, the project intends to meet needs identified by the community while maintaining the character of Upcountry Maui and creating "a sense of place" in a central area for the region.

An existing business on the site, Waiulu Farms Feed Store & Stables, would be moved to a new location within the parcel, and the county fire station nearby would not be affected. The company reported that it has been talking to Pukalani Superette about moving the market to the center.