Main Street is a community-based revitalization philosophy and strategy that encourages economic revitalization within the context of historic preservation. It is not an area designation nor is it a single street. It often encompasses district boundaries that include a core commercial area. It is a program established in the early 70's by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Program seeks to make a town a better place in which to live, work and play.

The Program recognizes the towns as visible indicators of community pride, and its architecture as physical expressions of its historic evolution. Further, recognizing that the quality of life separates successful towns from declinging ones, the Program pro-actively addresses existing and future needs of towns and utilizes but is not limited to the National Main Street Center's 4-point approach of Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring.

In Hawaii, Main Street towns also incorporate the Hawaiian value system in their program development and utilize the strategies encompassed by Kokua (Help), Laulima (Cooperation), Kuleana (Responsibility), Lokahi (Harmony), Ikee ( Recognition, Ohana (Family), Pono (To Make Right) and Aloha (Love & Affection). We believe that if we do not stress community values, we cannot value our community.

• The Mission of the National Trust's National Main Street Center
  The National Main Street Center's mission is to empower people, organizations and communities to achieve ongoing downtown and neighborhood district revitalization based upon the principles of self determination, resource conservation and incremental transformation represented through the comprehensive Main Street approach.
   

• Main Street Approach to Commercial District Revitalization
  The Main Street Approach combines historic preservation and economic development in local revitalization initiatives. This has nationally generated 178,727 building rehabilitations and 331,417 net jobs over the last 20 years. Communities experience an average investment of more than $12 million, with a return of approximately $28.31 for every $1 spent on operation of the local program. These figures make the Main Street Program one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation.
   Note: Current figures posted annually

• The Purpose of the local Main Street Program
  The Purpose of the Wailuku Main Street Association, Inc./Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center is to foster, promote, maintain and encourage the civic, social, cultural, economic and environmental welfare of Wailuku and other small towns in Maui County.
   

• A Not for Profit 501(c)3 Organization
  The Articles of Incorporation 501(c)3 Section 1 notes the following: (a) purposes: The corporation is organized for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes. In pursuit of the stated purposes, the corporation will engage in activities including but not limited to: promotion, preservation, and restoration of the culture, history, and architecture of Wailuku, Hawaii; reduction of community deterioration and urban decay; elimination of physical, economic and social causes of community deterioration; provide low cost financial assistance and advice to business enterprises in economically depressed areas; presentation, development and beautification of Wailuku by planting trees and vegetation in public areas; assisting municipal authorities in keeping Wailuku clean and healthy.

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Setting the Stage

• The Main Street Four Point Approach was conceived in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. and tested in three pilot locations throughout the United States. In just 3 years, every dollar spent on the Main Street Project was leveraging an average of $11 in new investment Downtown. The NTHP received request for help from hundreds of communities. In 1980 National Main Street Center was born. Today, the Program leverages an average of $34 for every dollar spent on the Program in new investment.
   

• The Main Street concept was introduced to Hawaii in 1983 and evaluated by a statewide task supported by the Department of Land and Natural resources (DLNR) in 1984. Established as a program of Historic Hawaii Foundation 1985-1989, and housed in the State Historic Preservation Division of DLNR 1990-2000. Support for the Main Street Program remains a part of the States current Historic Preservation Plan. DLNR continues colaboration and renders techical assistance to graduate Main Street Resource Centers. 

• Since 1986, Wailuku's residents, merchants, professionals and property owners have worked to maintain Wailuku's unique character and "Sense of Place" under the Main Street banner. Having been offically invited into Wailuku by the pre'86 Wailuku Community Association, Main Street quickly organized a street party to kick off the effort. Main Street sponsored "Willie Nelson’s Wild West Extravaganza" with people from everywhere standing shoulder to shoulder on a jam packed street. Shortly thereafter Main Street developed a comprehensive rediscover Wailuku walk tour booklet to bring awareness of the revitalization effort and to educate the community on the importance of preserving important historical landmarks i.e., Iao Theater and to begin the work on a Wailuku Redevelopment Plan. The Re-awakening of Wailuku Festival throughout the streets of Wailuku featured talented artists, crafters, restauranteurs along side mom & pop businesses and professionals that showcased Wailuku’s historic building inventory and unique ambiance. The community celebrated its efforts that culminated with a big luau on the lawn of the Bailey House Museum. The Wailuku Main Street Association Inc. was established as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 1987. Since that time, the organization has been an important community partner together with government entities and the Maui Redevelopment Agency to plan and implement important revitalization projects throughout the town of Wailuku.
  
  The WMSA Organization has successfully implemented programs or participated in activities that enhance Wailuku's identity and heritage and ensure its economic stability. As both a government and business center, it plays a major role in keeping the local economy moving and growing. As such it provides a draw not only to the shopper, but also to individual families and visitors in need of special services offered. Wailuku represents millions of dollars in public property and infrastructure and is an important hub of employment. To protect our investment, a strong public - private partnership must be forged and maintained.
   

• The Hawaii Main Street Council was formed in 1990 to guide the statewide Program as a locally based strategy to revitalize our communities while maintaining the essence of the aloha spirit.
   

• The Statewide Historic Preservation Plan was adopted in November 2001. It provides a vision for historic preservation and to outline the future direction for the State Historic Preservation Division within the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center is noted among its myriad of preservation partners. The Plan serves as a guide for effective decision making , coordinating activities and communicating statewide goals, policies and objectives.

  In the overall Plan, Goal II Promotes Sensitive Historic Preservation, Community and Economic Revitalization. It specifically states in the goal's objectives to support Hawaii Main Street Towns.

  Reviewing the Programs

  The Hawaii program utilizes but is not limited to Main Street's 4 Point Approach.
   

• The Tri-Isle Main Street resource Center evolved from Wailuku Main Street Association when in 1989, Historic Hawaii designated it as a "graduate" Main Street town. The State program mandated the graduate towns in each County to assume the responsibility as a Resource Center and share the Program and resources with other eligible small towns in each respective County.
   

• In 1989 the WMSA/Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center designated Molokai and Paia as Main Street Associate towns. Makawao became an Associate Town in early 1990 and Maalaea received Affiliate Town status in 1991. WMSA/Tri-Isle Main Street also responds to request for assistance from other eligible towns including Lanai City, Hana, and Keokea/Waiakoa in Kula.
  
  
  In 2003, the Molokai Main Street Program evolved to affiliate status and is now known as "Molokai Main Street Committee". This enabled Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center the ability to serve yet another town. In October 2003 the Haiku Main Street Committee was established under the network of the local Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center.

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Seeing the Progress

Over the past decade, much has changed in Maui County. The population has grown to 120,000. The towns are undergoing transition and impacts resulting from significant growth, the phasing out of the sugar and pineapple industries and the onslaught of national discounters. The Main Street Program has responded with a comprehensive strategic planning process. Utilizing a process of consensus building and prioritizing, the local Program also apply a community value system together with a team of professional resources and volunteers to produce long-term results. On June 23, 2006 The Maui County Council acknowledged the work and accomplishments of their local Main Street Program and it's respective communities.

Please click on the links below to view the individual town Project Involvement Lists.

Wailuku
Paia
Makawao
Haiku
Molokai
Lanai City

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The Main Street Approach

The Main Street Approach was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center with the goal of economic development/revitalization within the context of historic preservation. The following four points and eight guiding principles are integrated to create a positive, identifiable image for small towns' commercial districts.

Four-Point Approach

• Organization
  A communication network and process that brings together diverse groups, the public sector and individual citizens who have a vested interest in the towns to build consensus and cooperation....an important role in revitalization.
  
  
  • Centralized management with broad-based representation to develop program direction through community consensus.
   
  
  • Planned sequence of events of a pro-active approach to town planning, setting achievable goals and workplans.
  
  
  • Funding Base & Membership Management depends on a partnership between residents, private businesses and government. Towns are a community investment and everyone is responsible stake holders for its preservation and economic viability.
  
  
  

• Promotion
  By promoting a positive image and marketability of a town the community can begin to focus on the downtown as a source of community pride, social activity and economic development potential. Promotional activities boost the confidence of residents, existing merchants while attracting new investors and businesses.
   

• Structure/Design
  Maintaining the physical elements that retain our towns integrity preserves its "sense of place". Utilizing appropriate design concepts, the visual quality (buildings, signs, window displays, landscaping and environment) is enhanced. Design encompasses the following: Building Improvements, Public Improvements and Merchandising Improvements. From new construction which exhibits the towns local character, to a streetscape with appropriate trees, lighting and pedestrian friendly amenities to signage and window displays are important parts of the Main Street philosophy.
   

• Economic Restructuring
  Working with existing businesses while diversifying the economy to identify potential market niches, finding new uses for vacant or under used spaces and improving businesses practices. A Strategic Plan will help manage growth by developing an integrated program for infrastructure improvements and achievement of goals for town revitalization utilizing a community based vision of the future.

How the Main Street Approach Works
The Main street Approach builds on a commercial districts inherent assets - rich architecture, small businesses, a connection with the past and a sense of place. On-going efforts to not only develop the district as a successful marketplace, but also to make it the focus of the communities identity. This local grassroots organization is hard at work building consensus and developing a strategy based on citizens vision of what their community should become. Strategies developed are based on the areas specific assets, resources and issues.

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Guiding Principles

• Incremental Process
  Small projects and simple activities lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the revitalization process and help to develop skills so that more complex problems can be addressed and more ambitious projects undertaken.
   

• Comprehensive Four Point Approach
  Small town revitalization is a complex process and cannot be accomplished through a single project. For successful long-term revitalization, a comprehensive approach must be utilized. Many projects will emerge from this approach that will reinforce and enhance the viability of the down towns.
   

• Quality
  Every aspect of the revitalization program must be carefully planned and executed. This applies equally to each element of the program from organizational endeavors, storefront or building design, promotional campaigns, business retention and recruitments, infrastructure improvements to educational programs.
   

• Public and Private Partnership
  Both the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the economic health and physical viability of the downtown. Each sector has a role to play and each must understand the others strengths, limitations and be ready to accept its responsibility for sustaining and enhancing these small towns so that an effective partnership can be forged.
   

• Changing Attitudes
  A positive "can do" attitude and changes in practice are necessary to improve current economic conditions. Public support for change will build as the developing program grows.
   

• Focus on Existing Assets
  Identify and capitalize on existing assets that give the towns a unique "sense of place". Every district has special qualities.....like distinctive buildings, streetscape etc., a human scale that give people a sense of belonging and wanting to be there. These local assets must serve as the foundation for all aspects of the revitalization program.
   

• Implementation Oriented
  Activity creates confidence in the program and ever greater levels of participation. Frequent, visible changes are a reminder that the revitalization effort is underway. Small projects at the beginning of the program pave the way for larger activities as the revitalization effort matures.
  
  
  Project Involvement
  Projects assisted by Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center
  Staff & Professional Resources
  
  
  The towns of Hana, Keokea/Waiakoa, Kula and Maalaea have received limited technical resource assistance on a variety of community projects on an as requested basis. Kaunakakai, Molokai is also eligible in this category as of October 2003.
  

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