Laserfiche WebLink
PC-58 Page 2 October 20,2020 <br /> accommodations, not a resort, was planned per the Master Plan. She asked concerns around this <br /> project being too big of an impact on the coastline to be addressed. <br /> Mr. Wong Yuen explained HDOT will put forth a Request for Proposals (RFP), which would <br /> specify plans for a hotel and not a resort. He explained that airport hotels are meant to be <br /> transient stops, not resorts, which do not fit in with the nature of an airport. He shared the project <br /> would trigger an SMA (Special Management Area permit) and under HRS 343, an EA <br /> (Environmental Assessment) would be required. <br /> Ms. Eoff asked for details as to where the Master Plan will be implemented. Mr. Wong Yuen <br /> apologized for not having a visual but explained the geographic location of the Master Plan as <br /> being inland from the shoreline by approximately a mile, adjacent to where the current rental car <br /> companies are located. He stated the Kona Airport is three-quarters of a mile inland from the <br /> shoreline but that it does have shoreline property on the northern edge. He said he accompanied <br /> DLNR last month to determine how to better secure those parts of the property from trespassers. <br /> Ms. Eoff confirmed with Mr. Wong Yuen that the aforementioned location was not a part of the <br /> development. Director Yee confirmed that the project would most likely trigger an SMA. He <br /> stated Planning declined HDOT's request to waive plan approval allowing for oversight over the <br /> design specifics of the project. He ensured the community would have the opportunity to provide <br /> input during the SMA process. He also shared this instance was an opportunity to fix the Zoning <br /> Code. <br /> Committee Member Maile David asked how the community would be notified of the RFP and <br /> how the State will engage the community. Mr. Wong Yuen said that as a benefactor of the <br /> airport system, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is part of the review process, as is the <br /> Environmental Planning Office, creating more "checks and balance." He said the public will be <br /> invited to review by notice. <br /> Committee Member Tim Richards reiterated this not being a new project but that it had been in <br /> the works for some time. He appreciated the work to clean up the code, and stated Kona Airport <br /> is the second busiest in the State so it made sense to have transient accommodations there. He <br /> noted this being an opportunity to redesign tourism. He supports Planning having oversight on <br /> the plan. <br /> Committee Vice Chair Sue Lee Loy asked if 343 is triggered, if it would be a blanket EIS <br /> (Environmental Impact Statement) for the entire parcel. Mr. Wong Yuen said he was not aware <br /> of the process outside of having to prepare an EA for hotel development. Mr. Darrow explained <br /> that an EIS was already completed with the first Master Plan but was outdated. He further shared <br /> that Planning will look at what is covered and more than likely it will require a new and updated <br /> EIS. Ms. Lee Loy mentioned that there is a desire for Kona Airport to truly be an international <br /> airport and having a hotel airport is part of that. <br /> Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked about other allowable accessory uses that <br /> would result by expanding the definition of primary airport. Mr. Darrow explained in fixing the <br /> Zoning Code to address airports, Planning took the opportunity to include future uses that may <br /> come along, in this case the hotel and conference center. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked if those <br /> PC Report No.: 58 <br />