Wailuku

Wailuku...So Nice To Come Home To

Wailuku may be nestled in the foothills of the majestic and spiritual West Maui Mountains, but its presence on Maui is large in stature. This historic community was home to Maui’s most famous Hawaiian rulers, the birthplace of the island’s sugar industry, and the site of Kamehameha’s victory at Iao Valley and still retains many landmark buildings of historical and architectural significance. Wailuku is also Maui County’s capital. This community continues to influence not only the workings of the town, but also those of the entire island and county. In a recent county-wide centennial celebration, townspeople and community leaders recalled memories of Wailuku's heydays when it was bustling with commerce and a wide array of entertainment. Since those times, the town has evolved into an important government and business district with unique stores and boutiques and eclectic dining establishments

The homes and buildings in Wailuku are a delightful blend of old and new architecture, combining simple pleasures and amenities with enduring values. The Bailey House Museum contain many ancient Hawaiian artifacts. The Iao Theater, Kepaniwai Cultural Park and the Hawaii Nature Center are favorite spots for locals and visitors alike. With all of the history, unique curio shops, social attractions, and public and professional services making up the walking town of Wailuku, it is easy to see why so many say it is oh so nice come home to.

Wailuku Main Street Association
-Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center-

(Projects assisted by Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center
Staff and Professional Resources)

Project Involvement

• Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center (Program development, technical and resource assistance to Wailuku, Paia, Makawao, Haiku, Kaunakakai & other eligible small towns).
   

• 2006 Prepare Power Point presentation to County General Plan Committee (G-PAC).
   

• 2006 On-going Participation w/ Maui Redevelopment Agency (MRA), as community partners. Providing the agency with professional reviews and recommendations on Agency Rules and Projects outlined in Redevelopment Plan.
   

• 2006 Ongoing Design Reviews & Recommendations for Small Towns in Maui County to facilitate Building Rehabilitations and Renovations. (600+ projects major & minor in 20 year program history.)
   

• 2003 – 2006 Market Street Landscape Design & Beautification Project. Project expanded to include Happy Valley / Wells Street to Mokuhau Rd. (Est. RFP Jan.2006.) Ground Breaking (March 2007).
   

• 2004 - 2006 Small Town Strategic Plans (& updates)
  Recommendations for revised Community & General Plans.
   

• 2006 Tax Abatement Ordinance for business and residential properties in the MRA area.
   

• 2006 Updated website www.mauitowns.org
   

• 2006 Developed a “Small Town Tour” Plan for Wailuku, & UpCountry Small Towns
   

• 2006 launched “Wednesday in Wailuku Small Town Issues” Forum.
   

• 2006 Small Town Maui Marketing and Print Media Campaign.
   

• 2005-’06 Review, Revise & Support Final Updated Wailuku (MRA) Design Guidelines.
   

• 2006 Review and make recommendations on County’s RFP process for Municipal Lot and (2) private sector proposals.
   

• 2006 Focus Maui Nui Walk Story.
   

• 2003-2004 Focus Maui Nui Visioning Process.
   

• 2006 On-going Business Directory Updates
  (Note: data collection from ’93)
  (Uptown,Lower Main, Millyard, Wailuku Industrial) 1000 + businesses.
   

• 2006 Wailuku Annual Statistical Information. (Note: data collection from ’95) Building Activity, Community Development, and Business Retention, Expansion Data.
   

• 2006 Historic Iao Theater Brochure.
   

• 2005 Mayor’s Iao Theater Task Force Report – Rehabilitation, Use, & Management.
   

• 2004 - 2005 Iao Theater Task Force (Research & review historic info., collect data, hire consultant, and determine scope of work)
   

• 2005 Cruise Ship Task Force Final Report (July 2005)
   

• 2004 Mayor’s Cruise Ship Task Force (Data collection, Findings, & Preliminary Recommendations)
   

• 2003 - 2005 Municipal Parking Structure conceptual drawings. Results: Schematic Design concensus, Support for PC-1 with economic development and Civic Use on remnant parcel.
   

• 2004 established a Property Owners Committee. Researched TMK’s and tax revenue information. Developed a formula for public/private financing and hired grant writer to write a grant proposal for the municipal parking lot, to be utililized by the Maui Redevelopment Agency.
   

• 2004 - 2006 Mayor’s Wailuku Marketing Task Force formulated list of priority projects. Including but not limited to: Support for Street Festivals, Street Banners, Wailuku Web Site Iao Theater Display Case in lobby along with histoic brochure. Wailuku map and rack card display.
   

• 2004 - 2006 Central Maui & UpCountry Water Advisory Committee.
   

• 2003 Expanded MRA area Design Guidelines to include Central Avenue and Happy Valley.
   

• 2003 Mayor’s Technical Advisory Committee, Title 19 Revised Bed & Breakfast Ordinance & Home Occupation Ordinance.
   

• 2002-2003 Review & Recommendations to updated County General Plan, including process. Estimated /Timeline: revised general plan 2006.
   

• 2002 Establish mauitowns.org website.
   

• 2002 County Council’s Telecommunications Sub Committee.
   

• 2001-2002 Mayor’s Smart Growth Advisory Committee…Identified Smart Planning principles.
   

• 2001-2002 Title 19 Open Space Ordinance (Council adoption in 2002).
   

• 2001-2002 Joint State/County of Maui Interim Transportation Plan.
   

• 2001-2002 Wailuku/Kahului Community Plan update.
   

• IAO Theater Acquisition; Initiated “Save Iao Theater” campaign, planned coalition. ‘87-’91 supplied technical information & resources, organize strategy to garner public/private support for purchase and annual renovations.
   

• 2000 Updated Wailuku Redevelopment Plan/ 1991 Wailuku Redevelopment Plan (draft) and Wailuku Design Guidelines (Group 70) 1997 Updated Design Guidelines.
   

• 2000-2002 Community Workshops and Conferences to discuss and formulate Municipal Lot Concept with 5 policy objectives.
   

• 1999-2002 Conceptual Plan- Municipal Parking Structure (Multi-use, Sensitively designed).
   

• 1998 Market Street Beautification Plan - Original Concept incorporated in preliminary design (PBS).
   

• Wailuku Town Entry Signs (3 locations) - Kaahumanu Ave., High St. & Happy Valley.
   

• Established Small Town Design Awards - 10 categories.
   

• Town Beautification (Vacant Eyesore Lots transformed into Mini-Parks) – 1987 “Take Pride in America” National Awardee, presented at the White House in WA. D.C.
   

• Market Street Planters (26) with Plumeria Trees. Adopt-a-Tree campaign for maintenance. WMSA purchased planters & donated all of them to the County.
   

• Wailuku Bridge Painting w/Architectural color scheme.
   

• Gateway Demonstration Planting Project & Kukui Trees on medial strip & road shoulders.
   

• Tree Pruning/Planting Project - Throughout Town.
   

• Traffic & Parking Study - Wailuku Town.
   

• Community/Business Portfolio (10 sections of resource info.) 
  

• Planned & Conducted Economic Development Conferences (15).
   

• Established a $10 mil. Loan Pool Program to encourage building rehabs.
   

• Harbor’s Task Force Committee - Master Plan 2025.
   

• Community Crime Watch Program (Business & Residential)
   

• Rediscover Wailuku Walk Tour Booklet (Original Premier Edition).
   

• Oral History – “KEY” Project & "Wailuku Roots" Book & Data.
   

• Traditional Maui Children’s Christmas Parade and & Festivals (11+).
   

• 8 Other Community Cultural Events / Festivals (‘87-’98).
   

• Kepaniwai Park, Iao Valley Cultural Rack Cards (An Oral History Group Initiative).
   

• Established First Friday Get-Together’s for issue-oriented discussions with Community.
   

• Maui County’s Small Towns Brochure.
   

• Small Towns of Hawaii Brochure - Maui County Section.
   

• Community, Business & Volunteer Annual Awards.
  

[ back to top ]