The future of a 22-acre vacant lot in Lahaina owned by The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has been decided after a colossal $200 million West Maui Harbor proposal was rejected. Instead, the Foundation chose to move forward with a $60 million 203-unit West Maui housing project.

A draft environmental assessment was published in September, and is still being reviewed by public agencies, according to Stanford Carr, whose development company was hired by the foundation for the project. They still need a special management permit from the Maui Planning Commission, but conveniently, they already have the apartment zoning needed to move forward.

While the harbor project is considered too large and ambitious by Carr and others, the Kahoma Village project is progressing with site work, including the removal of debris that had accumulated on the vacant lot over the years.

When complete, there will be 203 new West Maui homes, which will include 102 affordable multifamily units. The single-family units will include three- and four-bedroom floor plans, while the multifamily units will have two to three bedroom floor plans.

The lot is in a very convenient location next to the Lahaina Cannery Mall. The developers have already contributed land for Kenui Street Improvements, provided low-income rental housing, and they are in the process of helping with Front Street roadway improvements. They have plenty of work to do before the project is finished, but things are going well so far.

Check in next week for our latest report on Maui events, real estate and economic conditions! Mahalo!