Land development has been big on Maui for many years, but we couldn’t help but notice that with the economy sluggish and tourism weak, it’s really big now. Back in August we gave you the barest outline of the 12 biggest projects working their way through Maui’s approval process (click here for our original story), and thought that with the year ending, it would be a good time for an update. So we chatted with a knowledgeable friend about island development issues, and here it goes:

1. WAIALE: Alexander & Baldwin is still pushing this project through the State Land Use Commission process, with a Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is very selective about which impacts are discussed. For instance, the project needs up to 2.8 million gallons per day (mgd) of water. Where exactly that water will come from isn’t made clear in the EIS. The project map also replaces the large natural open space that protects rare dunes and potential Hawaiian burial sites with a 65-acre urban park that’s being purchased as part of a $9 million appropriation in state funds, and can double as the project’s drainage detention basin.

2. WAIKAPU-ATHERTON: Developer Mike Atherton says he wants to wait until the Maui Island Plan process is complete before doing anything more on his plan to build nearly 1,110 homes near the Maui Tropical Plantation. Though he does have two wells drilled that could be very valuable to surrounding developments.

3. WAILEA 670: Cultural preservation groups like Maui Cultural Lands continue, as they have for years, to ask for a rigorous archaeological study of the proposed Wailea 670 site as well as a 130-acre preserve to protect scores of cultural sites, over 2,400 rare native wiliwili trees and 23 other native plant species that exist there. Thankfully, final development approvals cannot be granted until some sort of preservation plan is in the works.

4. MAUI RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PARK HOUSING EXPANSION: Haleakala Ranch was to have issued an EIS back in November 2010. Haven’t seen anything of that yet, though plans have been discussed.

5. KAONOULU:  This proposal for a village between Kihei and Kula may be brought up during Maui Island Plan discussions. Of course, given that the proposed “village’  is above one of Kihei’s most flood prone areas, we’d hope that “may” was actually a “will.”

6. OHUKAI: The South Maui Community Plan has partially approved this proposal, but developers hope to expand it to 900 units or more during the Maui Island Plan update. Can you say, “Increased Traffic”?

7. KAIWAHINE : It’s approved, but will A&B really build 600 units of truly affordable housing in this high-traffic area of Kihei? Maui County Council members Riki Hokama, Joseph Pontanilla, Elle Cochran and Danny Mateo didn’t seem to think so, which is why they voted against it in March. Construction is supposed to start in 2012.

8. PULELEHUA: The Maui County Council approved this Maui Land & Pineapple Co development for West Maui in November (with conditions, of course). But given the company’s current financial state, it’s possible these entitlements will be the next thing they sell off.

9. KAANAPALI 2020: Don’t expect anything until the Maui Island Plan gets thrashed out.

10. WAINEE VILLAGE: Ditto #9 for this project on the old Pioneer Mill land.

11. VILLAGES AT LEIALII: This project, which will build thousands of units (50% affordable) and two school sites on 1,033 acres of ceded lands near the Lahaina Civic Center, is still in the environmental review process, though they’ve drilled a trial water well. State Housing Development Corporation backing means it’s exempt from many county regulatory reviews.

12. OLOWALU: The push to build 1,500 residential units here is getting pitched to college classes, community groups and any other group willing to listen. As with other projects, how the Maui Island Plan discussions go will be key.