"The General Plan is the county of Maui's preeminent planning document," said Gladys Baisa, chairwoman of the Council's Planning Committee. "There is no more important project before the Planning Committee than the General Plan update."

Baisa noted that the General Plan hasn't been amended since the 1990 update, which was enacted in 1991. Baisa also pointed out that the General Plan Advisory Committees for Lanai', Maui and Moloka'i are reviewing a major component of the new General Plan, "the countywide policy plan."

According to Chapter 2.80B of the Maui County Code, the countywide policy plan "shall provide broad policies and objectives which portray the desired direction of the county's future" and "a list of countywide objectives and policies for population, land use, the environment, the economy, and housing." The draft countywide policy plan is available for review on the front page of the county Web site at www.mauicounty.gov/.

"I encourage all members of the public to attend and submit testimony about the General Plan update and get involved in this vital process," Baisa said.