The West Maui Greenway (WMG) is a proposed 25-mile, multi-use trail, traversing the western coast of Maui, connecting Ukumehame in the south to Līpoa Point in the north. It is envisioned to provide safe and alternative forms of transportation and recreation, separate from the heavy volumes of high-speed vehicles along Honoapiʻilani Highway, to connect communities throughout West Maui.
The WMG has been proposed in various forms in several prior planning efforts including Bike Plan Hawaiʻi Master Plan (Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), 2003) and the Pali to Puamana Parkway Master Plan (County of Maui (COM) Planning Department, February 2005). The Hele Mai Maui: Long Range Transportation Plan 2040 (Maui Metropolitan Plan Organization (MPO), December 2019) and the West Maui Community Plan (COM Planning Department, January 2022) both identified the completion of the WMG as a high priority project. In September 2022 the West Maui Greenway Plan (WMGP) was completed by the Maui MPO. The objective of the plan was to develop a preferred route alignment, propose trail types, and implementation strategies. View the WMGP on the Maui MPO Website.
Following the completion of the WMGP, a Data Collection and Site Selection Report and Work Plan were created for the COM to build upon the previous planning efforts and provide the COM with a clear roadmap to move the WMG project forward. Development of the Work Plan began in June 2023, prior to the devastating August 8 wildfire that spread through Lahaina and the surrounding West Maui area and resulted in the death of more than 100 people and destruction of more than 2,000 buildings. Following the wildfire, the Data Collection and Site Selection Report and Work Plan re-examined the previously identified priority segment and proposed a new priority segment that would include areas devastated by the wildfire. The new priority segment, titled Phase 1, are proposed to provide a myriad of benefits to Lahaina and West Maui by enhancing the transportation network, providing public health and recreational benefits, providing a potential alternative route for emergency vehicle access during emergencies, and enhancing the resilience of Lahaina.
Implementation of the WMG is anticipated to be completed in phases, with Phase 1 of the project proposed to include Segments 3, 4, and 5 which would connect Lahaina Civic Center with Launiupoko Beach Park. By prioritizing the implementation of these segments, the WMG has the potential to be integrated into the reconstruction of Lahaina and to serve more people as a part of West Maui’s transportation network. The Work Plan identifies specific tasks, deliverables, critical decision points, funding opportunities, environmental permitting, community engagement, and other recommended efforts required to take the WMG from concept to fruition.
