The new Andaz Wailea Resort has plans to improve Ulua/Mokapu Beach park which will include adding more public parking spaces!
Right now there's 53 parking spaces for Ulua and Mokapu beach. Andaz will reportedly add 17 more spaces in 2012. Photo courtesy of Google Street View.
Ulua Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Wailea as it is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Just one problem, it’s always hard find a parking space.
One public park serves both Ulua Beach and Mokapu beach (which fronts the Andaz Wailea), these two beaches attract a lot of visitors and current resources are insufficient to meet the needs of park users. The good news, some time in 2012 there will be significant improvements to the roads, parking situation and park resources.
Andaz and the Wailea Community Association both planning park improvements
The Wailea Community Association plans to add a second shower and make other park improvements. Photo courtesy of Google Street View.
We recently spoke with Bud Pikrone, general manager of the Wailea Community Association, and got some details on WCA’s improvement plans as well as the contributions planned on the part of the Andaz Wailea Resort.
According to Mr. Pikrone, Andaz will be re-grading and re-paving Ulua Beach Road and may be dedicating a small portion of their land to the park which will be used to add 17 more parking spaces.
For their part, the Wailea Community Association will be adding a second shower as well as planting more shade trees and installing benches and picnic tables. There is also a plan to expand the circular drop off area to better serve the needs of park users.
The WCA hopes to coordinate with Andaz so that all improvements can coincide and minimize the interruption of access to the park.
Partial closures for parking lot soon, Andaz to provide parking remedy
In the near future areas of the Ulua Beach parking lot will need to be closed for the installation of various lines and conduits. This has raised concern for many park users which was recently addressed by the WCA. In a letter to the Maui News on December 23rd, Mr. Pikrone writes…
The construction activity that will begin shortly along the access will require portions of the lot to be temporarily closed at various times for safety reasons. However, the developer is working on alternative parking to remedy any loss of parking in the existing Ulua lot during this time.
We don’t have concrete details yet, but the likely temporary parking remedy will include Andaz providing up to 15 parking spaces on their property. When Andaz and the Wailea Community Association commence on major improvements to the park it may require a temporary complete closure, although that work will be scheduled during the off season and with ample public notice.