Maui Planning Commission defers decision on Makena State Park improvements

News admin June 24, 2026 0 Comments

Maui Planning Commission defers decision on Makena State Park improvements

MAKENA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Maui planning commissioners deferred a decision Tuesday on proposed improvements at Makena State Park after a meeting that drew divided testimony.

The meeting started at 9 a.m. and wrapped up after 6 p.m.

Testimony was split, and several moments became heated.

Proposed park improvements

State officials want to build two permanent bathrooms at Makena State Park. The park currently has portable toilets.

The proposal also includes two outdoor showers and a water bottle refill station. There are currently no showers or refill stations at the park.

Officials also want to pave the existing gravel shoulders of the north and south site access driveways.

The plan includes toll booths and pay stations to collect fees from out-of-state visitors. The park would remain free for residents.

Supporters said the upgrades are needed to keep the area clean, while opponents said the park should be left as it is.

Testimony divided over changes

“We see restrooms as being the most sanitary means of providing for our local residents as well as our visitors,” said Sam Garcia Jr., who supports improvements at the park. “The porta potties are hot, smelly and definitely not sanitary. This is not the way to treat our valued residents or our visitors.”

Ryan Quinn, who opposes the improvements, said Makena does not need to be improved.

“It needs to be left alone and respected,” Quinn said. “We do not need more lights and sidewalks, buildings and bathrooms or the smells of pollution that come with them. We don’t need shower facilities that constantly leak and waste water. A jug of water from home works just fine.”

Kimberly Ferrari, who also opposes the improvements, said she wants Oneloa Beach (also known as Big Beach) kept “wild.”

“Say no to more asphalt and unnecessary building and especially in the drought, water-wasting bathrooms and foot stations,” Ferrari said. “I can bring one gallon of water with me and do the same thing that I’m going to get from all this construction.”

Tiare Lawrence, who supports the improvements, said keeping Makena “wild” does not mean leaving it unmanaged.

“It does not mean allowing invasive species to take over, human waste and toilet paper to accumulate in the bushes or illegal activities like nudity to continue unchecked,” Lawrence said.

Earl Bialeck, who opposes the improvements, urged the commission not to approve the project.

“To quote Joni Mitchell, ‘Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,’” Bialeck said. “I respectfully urge the commission not to approve this project.”

Kai Nishiki, who supports the improvements, said her father, Wayne Nishiki, and others fought in the 1980s to save Makena from hotel and luxury developments.

“Mission accomplished,” Nishiki said. “It is really sad to see folks now using and perverting this righteous fight to object to much-needed basic infrastructure like bathroom and showers, protection of our natural resources and tourism management.”

Some people also said they worry improvements could attract more visitors, put more people at risk and overwhelm lifeguards.

Others raised concerns about impacts to wetlands in the area.

Shortly after 6 p.m., planning commissioners deferred making a decision and asked the state to look into other alternatives, including pavement options other than asphalt.

Commissioners asked about eco-friendly options that allow water to seep into the ground below to manage storm water runoff.

State officials were asked to report back at the next planning commission meeting July 14.