Environmental Assessments are only appropriate for projects that donʻt have significant impacts. Hotel Wailuku would have such overwhelming impacts that a full Environmental Impact Statement should be required.

Wailuku Town has a unique cultural identity shaped by centuries of history and has evolved into a place recognized for its small-town charm, local small businesses, and historic architecture. Recently, a 6-story, 156-room hotel ("Hotel Wailuku") was proposed on the corner of Main and Market streets, within the historic small-town core of Wailuku, and near to residential neighborhoods that local families call home. The Draft Environmental Assessment written for the proposed Hotel Wailuku is severely inadequate and fails to assess the significant impacts the proposed project will cause. These significant impacts include potential disturbance of iwi kūpuna, an increase in traffic and pedestrian congestion, an increase in noise for nearby residents, the blockage of views to ‘Īao Valley and the Pacific Ocean, and more. The Wailuku Redevelopment Area Zoning and Development Code allows proposed hotel structures to contain 20 rooms and not exceed the height of surrounding buildings by more than 1 story. This project exceeds these protective measures by 136 rooms and 3 stories!

The Environmental Assessment for Hotel Wailuku fails to adequately describe the significant impacts of the project, and it is imperative to require a full Environmental Impact Statement. It is our right to know exactly the impacts and potential threats Hotel Wailuku may create.  

For more details on the shortcomings of the Draft Environmental Assessment for Hotel Wailuku, please visit the Maui Tomorrow blog.