Pacific Islands Region

The PIR, working with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, has embarked on an exciting new project to assist with the development of a visitor center in the middle of Lahaina Town on Maui. The center is planned to occupy space in the Old Lahaina Courthouse, a popular visitor destination prominently located on Front Street, Lahaina. Partners in the ambitious project include the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, NOAA Fisheries and the Lahaina Town Action Committee. Plans for the two-story courthouse restoration feature themes on Hawaiian cultural, historical and natural history, with sanctuary information well integrated within the exhibits. The project recently received the green light to proceed from the County of Maui Planning commission after months of discussions and comments (and edits) from the Lahaina and West Maui Community.

Designscape LLC developed a powerpoint presentation depicting the plan for the visitor center. You can download that presentation here (pdf, 18 MB). The first phase of the visitor center project is planned to kick off in summer 2010.

For more information please contact Allen Tom at allen.tom@noaa.gov.