So, let's talk about the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation—specifically the Uilani "U'i" Tanigawa-Lui era and the actual boots-on-the-ground reality of the Parks and Rec system in Hawaii. Honestly, if you’ve been searching for "Ulani Parks and Rec," you’re likely hitting a wall because of a slight spelling mix-up or you're looking for the specific leadership impact of U'i Tanigawa-Lui, who has become a pivotal figure in how Maui manages its land.
It’s messy.
Managing public spaces in Hawaii isn't like running a park in suburban Ohio. You aren't just mowing lawns and painting lines on a pickleball court. You are balancing indigenous rights, massive tourism pressure, and the literal recovery of a community after the devastating Lahaina fires. People often get confused about who runs what, but the Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is the engine behind it all.
Why the name Uilani Tanigawa-Lui matters right now
If you’re looking into the current state of Maui’s public spaces, you have to talk about Uilani Tanigawa-Lui. She isn't just a bureaucrat. As the Deputy Director (and often the public face) of Maui Parks and Rec, she brings a background in law and a deep connection to kupa‘āina (people of the land) values.
She’s a kumu hula. That matters. It’s not just a hobby on her resume; it’s a worldview that dictates how a government agency treats the dirt and the water. When the department makes a decision about, say, the permitting process for a beach wedding or the restoration of a local community center, it’s being filtered through a lens of cultural practitioners.
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Wait, why does this matter to the average person?
Because for years, "Parks and Rec" just meant "maintenance." Now, it means "stewardship." There is a massive difference between the two. One is reactive; the other is ancestral.
The Lahaina Factor: Parks as places of healing
The August 2023 wildfires changed everything for the department. You can't talk about Maui Parks and Rec without acknowledging that they lost facilities, employees lost homes, and the very concept of "recreation" felt trivial for a long time.
But then something shifted.
The parks became the hubs for distribution. They became the places where people gathered to cry, to pray, and eventually, to organize. Uilani and the rest of the leadership team had to pivot from managing permits to managing disaster response.
Think about the Wahikuli Terrace Park. It’s not just a patch of grass anymore. It’s a touchstone for a displaced community. When the department talks about rebuilding, they aren't just looking at blueprints for new swingsets. They are looking at how to keep the soul of Lahaina alive in the physical footprint of the land. It's heavy stuff.
What most people get wrong about Maui’s permitting system
If you are a resident or a visitor trying to book a pavilion, you’ve probably been frustrated. We’ve all been there. You go to the website, it looks like it’s from 2004, and you just want to know if you can have a birthday party at Kalama Park.
Here is the reality: The system is strained because the demand is astronomical.
- Commercial vs. Local: There is a constant tug-of-war. The department has to prioritize residents—rightfully so—while also managing the commercial operators who want to use parks for surf schools or tours.
- The "Pono" Way: Under current leadership, there is a much stronger push for pono (righteous/correct) behavior. This means if you're a commercial entity, you better be following the rules, or you’re out.
- Budget Realities: People see the tourist tax dollars and think the parks should be paved in gold. They aren't. A huge chunk of that money goes to infrastructure that isn't "fun," like sewer lines and coastal erosion mitigation.
Basically, the department is trying to do ten years of work with five years of budget.
The struggle with coastal erosion and "Managed Retreat"
This is where things get technical and, frankly, a bit scary. Maui is shrinking. Not literally, but the usable beach park land is being eaten by the Pacific at an alarming rate.
Uilani Tanigawa-Lui and the planning teams are having to make "Managed Retreat" decisions. That’s a fancy way of saying "we have to let this park go and move the facilities inland."
Take a look at Baldwin Beach or any of the South Side parks. The high-water mark is moving. You can't just dump sand on it and hope for the best. The Department of Parks and Recreation has to work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to figure out where the new "public square" will be when the current one is underwater. It’s a logistical nightmare that requires a law degree just to understand the jurisdictional boundaries.
Community Centers are the heartbeat
While everyone focuses on the beaches, the real work happens in the community centers. The Eddie Tam Center in Makawao or the War Memorial Complex in Wailuku. These are the places where the kupuna (elders) have their programs and the kids have their basketball leagues.
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It’s easy to complain when a restroom is out of order. It's much harder to acknowledge the sheer volume of humanity that passes through these gates every day. The department manages dozens of these facilities across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.
Each island has its own vibe. Molokai parks aren't managed the same way as Kihei parks. There is a decentralization that happens because you have to listen to the specific moku (district).
How to actually get things done with Maui Parks and Rec
Stop calling and expecting an immediate miracle. Seriously.
If you want to be involved or if you need something from the department, you have to understand the rhythm of county government.
- Check the Blue Book: The department puts out a program guide. It’s the bible for what’s happening.
- Volunteer: There are "Friends of the Park" groups for almost every major site. If you want a park to be better, join the group that cleans it up.
- Attend the Meetings: When the Maui County Council discusses the budget for Parks and Rec, the room is usually empty unless there's a controversy. If you want more pickleball courts, you have to show up when the money is being sliced up.
The Future: A New Vision for Stewardship
What Uilani Tanigawa-Lui represents is a shift toward indigenous resource management within a Western government structure. It’s an experiment in real-time. Can a county department operate like a traditional land steward?
We are seeing more native plantings. We are seeing more cultural signage. We are seeing a move away from "tourist-first" mentalities toward "community-first" designs.
It isn't perfect. There are still potholes in the parking lots. There are still irrigation leaks. But the trajectory has changed. The goal isn't just to provide a place to play; it's to protect the "sense of place" that makes Maui, Maui.
Actionable Steps for Residents and Visitors
If you're looking to interact with the Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, don't just wing it.
For Permits: Use the official Maui County portal, but do it months in advance. If you are looking for a summer pavilion, you should have been looking in the winter.
For Reporting Issues: Use the "COM Connect" app. It’s the fastest way to get a broken sprinkler or a downed limb on the radar of the maintenance crews. Photos help. A lot.
For Cultural Context: If you’re visiting a park like 'Iao Valley (which involves state and county cooperation) or a local beach park, read the signs. They aren't just "flavor." They often contain specific instructions on how to behave in a way that doesn't offend the local community or damage the ecosystem.
For Policy Input: Follow the Maui County Council’s "Housing and Land Use" or "Parks and Agriculture" committee meetings. This is where the actual laws governing park usage are written. You can testify via Zoom. It’s the most direct way to have your voice heard.
The department is more than just a collection of lawnmowers. It’s the gatekeeper of the island's lifestyle. Whether you’re there for a morning surf or a family luau, you’re stepping into a space that is being fiercely protected by a team trying to balance the past with a very complicated future.