LAHAINA – A one- and two-story commercial project along Front Street has won approval from the Maui Planning Commission– to the dismay of community members that include the Friends of Moku'ula.

The Harbor Village project will have three buildings and other proposed improvements at 576 Front St. between an existing county parking lot and Malu Ulu O Lele Park.

The development will include business, retail, and restaurant space, said Chris Hart, a planning consultant for JDI Limited Partners. There also will be offsite parking behind the buildings and near the Maui Medical Group building.

The special management area permit was approved by the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday.

"It puts a damper on what we are trying to do here," said Akoni Akana, executive director of Friends of Moku'ula. He said the organization is trying to restore the historical island of Moku'ula and the surrounding wetlands, which is the land in and around Malu Ulu O Lele Park.

Hart said 300 feet separates the project from Malu Ulu O Lele Park, including a drainage ditch and Mokuhunia Place. He said planners understand there are concerns over a commercial project in a historic area and that there might be wetlands at the project site.

The planners have worked with the community from the beginning and met with organizations that may be affected, including Friends of Moku'ula and King Kamehameha III School PTSA.

Developer JDI Ltd. agreed to reduce the leasable floor area by about 25 percent from a previous design, Hart said. The Maui County Cultural Resources Commission also gave approval in November.

He said the parcels "were not identified as wetlands." He also said there are people in favor of the project, which will have benefits for residents. The commercial project will support county plans for more parking in Lahaina. The parking areas can be used by parents while dropping their children off at nearby King Kamehameha III School.

While the island of Moku'ula might not be right next to the project, Akana said his organization wants to be sure the entire historic site area is not impacted by the project.

Both pieces of land are within the Wainee ahupua'a (a Hawaiian land division) in which many elements have a part. Akana said the Friends are are looking at the "cultural overlay."

"There is all these elements making up the whole," he said.

Mahina Martin, program director of Friends of Moku'ula, said "In no way does it hinder our work. It has impact, but it doesn't hinder."

"It's an expected challenge," she said.

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