OLOWALU: THE ROAD TO RESILIENCE

 UPCOMING EVENTS 

Flooding, erosion, and fire from the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events have increased in frequency and intensity along the makai areas of the Olowalu and Ukumehame ahupuaʻa in West Maui, Hawaiʻi. Complementing ongoing  Honoapiʻilani Highway realignment  planning led by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, The Nature Conservancy ( TNC ) and The University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center ( UHCDC ) are working with public and private partners on engaging the community and stakeholders in the development of a proof-of-concept design for the coastal area stretching approx. 6 miles from Ukumehame to Launiupoko.

The planned highway realignment provides a unique opportunity to restore the area’s coastal zone by incorporating park spaces, traditional biocultural practices, and nature-based solutions, such as living shoreline systems, via a participatory planning and co-design process that re-envisions the old right-of-way. By strengthening coastal ecosystems, this project intends to increase the ecological, social, cultural, recreational, and economic benefits they provide and reduce pressures on the Olowalu-Ukumehame reef system. The work aims to improve coastal and community resilience to help mitigate and adapt to the growing impacts of climate change, including sea level rise. Based on community input and feedback, UHCDC will create a vision for what the coastal space might look like and how it would perform once the highway is moved inland.

 The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Hawaiʻi and Palmyra 

TNC is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. In Hawaiʻi, TNC promotes healthy and vibrant coral reefs and marine ecosystems through community outreach, scientific monitoring, and restoration efforts across the state. Tamara Farnsworth, Coastal Resilience Project Manager Dr. Kim Falinski, Coastal & Estuarine Scientist Scott Crawford, Maui Marine Program Director Emily Fielding, Hawai’i Marine Conservation Director Nalei Sampson, Maui Marine Project Coordinator Amy Bruno, Project Manager, Hawaiʻi Marine Program Nolan Clark, TNC Kupu Member

 University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center (UHCDC) 

UHCDC is a service-learning program and teaching practice, established and led by the UH School of Architecture, that provides a platform for applied research, planning, placemaking, and design involving UH faculty, staff, students, and partnered professionals across UH campuses, departments, and professional disciplines.

 Judith Stilgenbauer , FASLA, Principal Investigator and Professor, School of Architecture Emily Sobolewski Knight, ASLA, Research Associate Sierra Spears, Research Associate Student Assistants: Zoë Angelopulo, Graduate Student Project Assistant Dersel Bonai, Graduate Student Project Assistant Sarah Obra-Nakata, Graduate Student Project Assistant Kenny Morrow, Undergraduate Student Project Assistant

The project consists of the following main phases:

On November 15-16, 2024, the UHCDC project team traveled to Maui for initial site reconnaissance with TNC. The site visit included a meeting with Maui County Planning & Parks Department representatives, a cultural reserve tour with the community group  Kīpuka Olowalu , and opportunities to study and document key elements of the project area.

Coming soon...

MAY 29, 5:30 - 7:30 pm | LAHAINA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CAFETERIA JUNE 3, 12 - 1:30 pm | ZOOM JUNE 5, 4:30 - 6 pm | ZOOM

During February 2025, TNC and UHCDC hosted an initial series of community meetings to listen, share information about nature-based solutions, and understand priorities/concerns.

February 6, 5:30 - 7:00 pm | Lahaina Intermediate School Cafeteria February 11, 12 – 1:30 pm February 13, 5:30 - 7 pm

State of Hawaiʻi  Honoapiʻilani Highway Improvement Project 

Maui County  Pali to Puamana Parkway Masterplan    West Maui Community Plan    Maui County Beach Park Vulnerability Study 

TNC  Places We Protect: Olowalu   Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui    DLNR Press Release 

UHCDC  South Shore Promenade and Open Space Network Study   Waikīkī Resilience & SLR Adaptation Project (WRAP) 

UH Mānoa Curricular Student Work  Spring '24 Master of Landscape Architecture Capstone Project by Kiana Dai 

News Coverage Rob Collias, Hawaii Journalism Initiative, " What happens when highway moves mauka? The University of Hawaiʻi, nonprofit hope to restore 6-mile stretch of West Maui shoreline ", January 17, 2025 Rob Collias, Hawaii Journalism Initiative, " Beach restoration, cleanup of abandoned cars among ideas for Olowalu’s coast when highway is realigned ", February 8, 2025

TNC Hawaiʻi and Palmyra point of contact Tamara Farnsworth, Coastal Resilience Project Manager: t.farnsworth@tnc.org

You can reach our project team at: UHCDC.Olowalu@gmail.com | 808.956.4704   University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center , 2410 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822