How will the greenway benefit west maui?

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A Path to Safety, Sustainability, and Resilience
The West Maui Greenway (WMG) offers critical benefits for our community, from providing safe spaces for recreation and transportation to contributing to environmental sustainability and emergency preparedness. The 2023 Lahaina fire underscored the urgent need for resilient infrastructure to protect our communities and reduce future fire risks. The Maui wildfires of August 8, 2023, caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damages, destroyed more than 2,200 structures, and tragically took over 100 lives in what has become the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaiʻi’s history. The historic district of Lahaina was the most impacted area. It is clear that we must act to avoid repeating such a disaster. The West Maui Greenway stands as a vital project for Maui’s safety, sustainability, and future resilience.
  • Safe and Active Transportation: Creates walkable and bicycle-friendly routes connecting schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces, providing safe, healthy transportation alternatives that reduce reliance on vehicles.
  • Reduces Traffic and Carbon Emissions: By encouraging non-motorized travel, WMG reduces traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and reliance on fossil fuels, helping Hawaiʻi meet its climate goals and fostering a more sustainable environment.
  • Critical Evacuation Route and Emergency Access: West Maui faces a unique challenge with its limited access to and from the area—Honoapiilani Highway is a two-lane road with only one lane going in each direction. During emergencies, this limited route can quickly become congested and inaccessible, as was tragically demonstrated during the Lahaina fire. The West Maui Greenway addresses this critical vulnerability by establishing an alternative evacuation route for residents, providing a safer, reliable path out of West Maui in the event of natural disasters. Positioning WMG as an emergency evacuation route, in addition to its role as a recreational and transportation corridor, ensures that our community is better prepared for future emergencies and natural disasters.
  • Health and Wellness: Provides an affordable, safe environment for promoting active communities and healthy kids, supporting both physical and mental well-being.
  • Cultural and Educational Space: Offers an accessible, inspirational place to teach keiki about Hawaiian history and culture, fostering a connection to the land and its heritage.
  • Preserves Pristine Open Space: Enhances quality of life and mental health by preserving natural areas, allowing community members to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Maui’s landscapes.

Malama Ka'Aina - Help the environment

The West Maui Greenway contributes to environmental preservation and education by protecting native habitats and providing corridors for both people and wildlife.
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  • Protects Maui’s Natural Environment: Creates opportunities for green infrastructure and interpretive educational spaces, where visitors can learn about local plant species, which help reduce runoff and benefit coral reefs.
  • Reduces Polluted Runoff: Lessens the impact of vehicle-generated runoff that pollutes land and ocean, benefiting Maui’s coastal and marine ecosystems.
  • Supports Environmental Education: Provides outdoor areas that can be used by schools and community programs for hands-on environmental education, deepening understanding and appreciation of Maui’s unique ecosystems.

benefit the economy

In addition to its environmental and health benefits, the West Maui Greenway brings economic opportunities and supports Maui’s workforce.
  • Local Economic Opportunities: Generates jobs in construction, maintenance, and recreation-based businesses, and supports local businesses by improving access to hard-to-reach destinations. The greenway also attracts visitors and locals, supporting small businesses and services along the route.
  • Job Creation and Economic Impact: Investing in the design, engineering, and construction of walking and biking trails creates more jobs per dollar than other types of infrastructure projects, according to Rails to Trails data.
  • Increases Property Values: Trails have been shown to increase property values. According to the National Association of Home Realtors, trails are among the most valued community amenities by recent homebuyers.
Together, we can build a safer, greener, and more resilient Maui. The West Maui Greenway offers a lasting legacy, benefiting our community, environment, and future generations. By implementing this project, we can honor the lessons learned from Lahaina and take proactive steps to ensure that we are better prepared for the future.