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South Maui Coastal Heritage Corridor

South Maui Coastal Heritage Corridor logo

map of South Maui area
    Tri-Isle RC&D South Maui Heritage Corridor Committee has been involved in several projects for the South Maui Heritage Corridor, to ensure public access and stewardship of the cultural and natural resources along 15 miles of Maui's southern coastline.   This committee envisions the corridor to feature protected sites linked by public access trails and greenways.

    The South Maui Heritage Corridor Committee, chaired by Helen Felsing, is a partnership of several organizations and many people:   State, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; University of Hawaii, Sea Grant Extension Service; and resource people from the Kihei community.   Several projects are now underway.

    photo of Kihei Wharf Sign Interpretive signs and a brochure about historic sites along the coastline are being made, with $20,000 from the Maui County Office of Economic Development and $15,000 from the Governor's Council Tourism Program.   Baldwin-Malama, developer of Piilani Village in Kihei, has contributed $1,000 towards greenways planning

    South Maui Heritage has completed eight interpretive signs for historic sites along Maui's Leeward coast:   Makena Landing, Kalepolepo Park, Kihei Library, Kihei Boat Ramp, La Perouse Bay, Kihei Wharf, Papawai Point Lookout, and Kama'ole Park 1.

    photo of interpative sign The interpretive signs are being placed at sites between Ma'alaea to Keoneoio at La Perouse Bay.   The signs describe the cultural significance of each location, what life was like in the area years ago, and how visitors can treat the sites with respect.   Fifty thousand copies of an informational brochure and area guide have been published for residents and visitors.

    The Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism and Maui County's Office of Economic Development have provided $57,500 in funding for the interpretive brochure.   Grant funding of $11,150 was also acquired from Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Programs of the National Park Service.   This money is being used to complete identification of culturally significant sites and prepare a stewardship plan based on Hawaiian values and traditions.

    A network of bikeways is being worked on by Kihei developers with the Tri-Isle RC&D Heritage Corridor Action Committee.   The bikeways will be built through their future projects.   Citizens and the county government will be involved in planning the bikeways.
Title picture (Gifts from the past, a legacy for the future) was provided by R.J. Baker, Bishop Museum.
Cartography for the map of Maui was done by Manoa Mapworks, Inc. 1998.

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