BIL 066 Draft 01 2024-2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

The County of Hawaii encompasses the Island of Hawai'i, which is the southeastern -most and youngest island of the Hawaiian archipelago. Hawai'i Island is nearly twice the combined land area of the remainder of the State and has a diverse climate and topography. Navigating Growth on Hawaii Island Hawaii Island is unique in the world. Hawaii Island is a community of rooted heritage, constant change, and unique beauty. As our community navigates our future, integrating a sustainable balance between environmental stewardship, social and community equity, and economic sufficiency is paramount. We should be confident in our ability to meet our current needs and the needs of our future generations to come, ensuring that our keiki are able to stay here and raise their keiki. We must be ready, willing, and able to consistently pursue bold actions that address our challenges and help us arrive at a better future. Navigating our island's future growth requires hearing the voices of our diverse population and balancing their needs. Effective growth plans evaluate the past, incorporate current realities, assess future challenges, and craft meaningful solutions. Careful consideration of these factors results in successful long-range planning. Advancing Hawaii Island Together In an increasingly polarized world, the importance of collaborating to navigate through a variety of situations should be of utmost importance. Recognizing and embracing our diversity, as well as our individual and communal sense of kuleana is where we find our strengths. Steering our island in the right direction takes all of us. Setting the best path for our future relies on ensuring buy -in for solutions and accurately and collectively representing community sentiments. Hawai'i Island is an exemplary leader with healthy and resilient communities that are built by sustainable development, a thriving and diversified local economy, and collaborative environmental stewardship. The General Plan serves as a 25-year blueprintforthe long-term growth and sustainable development of Hawaii County. It envisions a future that balances growth with the preservation of the County's unique natural and cultural resources. A sustainable future is not a distant dream but an attainable reality. A reality that can only be achieved through the powerful combination of government and community collaboration. The task ahead of us is substantial, and it calls for unity, vision, and unwavering dedication. 1.0 Introduction I County of Hawaii General Plan 26