LIHU‘E — The county Planning Department will close its initial community survey for the Waimea 400 Master Plan today to prepare for the first community collaboration meeting for the project.
The first Waimea 400 Master Plan community collaboration meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, March 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, March 20, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Interested participants may register at waimea400.com to attend. Both meetings will have the same content, so interested individuals are encouraged to register for one meeting only to allow an opportunity for all participants to comment.
The Waimea 400 Master Plan refers to the 417-acre parcel on the mauka side of Kaumuali‘i Highway, between Waimea and Kekaha, which the county purchased in 2018. The purpose of the community meetings is to discuss the master-plan process, share the results of the initial community survey, and gather feedback about designs for the preferred uses of the parcel.
Over 600 people filled in surveys online or provided handwritten comments on the project, according to a press release.
A preliminary review of the responses reveals park and recreational uses, such as a sports complex and walking paths, as popular potential uses for the site.
Housing and agricultural uses, including community farming, have also been popular. Many other creative ideas have come up, which will be presented in the meetings and on the project website once the survey results are analyzed.
Those who do not have access to online meetings can arrange for an alternate, in-person meeting (up to 10 people) with Planning Department staff by calling 241-4050.
• Info: waimea400.com; Planning Department, 241-4050; or waimea400@gmail.com.
