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1.1 Purpose and Authority of the General Plan The County of HawaiTs General Plan is the policy document for the long-range comprehensive development of the island of Hawai'i. The purposes of the General Plan are to: • Guide the pattern of future development in this County based on long-term goals; • Identify the visions, values, and priorities important to the people of this County; • Provide the framework for regulatory decisions, capital improvement priorities, acquisition strategies, and other pertinent government programs within the County organization and coordinated with State and Federal programs. • Improve the physical environment of the County as a setting for human activities; to make it more functional, beautiful, healthful, interesting, and efficient. • Promote and safeguard the public interest and the interest of the County as a whole. • Facilitate the democratic determination of community policies concerning the utilization of its natural, man-made, and human resources. • Effect political and technical coordination in community improvement and development. • Inject long-range considerations into the determination of short-range actions and implementation. The 2045 General Plan is the primary policy document for county agencies, planning commissions, elected officials, landowners, developers, and citizens to guide land use policy decisions for the Island of Hawai'i. Section 3-15 of the Hawaii County Charter states: "The county council shall adopt by ordinance a general plan which shall set forth the council's long-range policy for the comprehensive physical, economic, environmental, and sociocultural well- being of the county. (a) The general plan shall contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites; the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county; a system of principal thoroughfares, highways, streets, public access to the shorelines, and other open spaces; the general locations, relocations and improvement of public buildings, the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for water, sewers, light, power, transit, and other purposes; the extent and location of public housing projects; adequate drainage facilities and control; air pollution; and such other matter as may, in the council's judgement, promote the general welfare, health, and prosperity of its people. (b) The council shall enact zoning, subdivision, and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to carry out the purpose of the general plan. (c) No public improvement or project, or subdivision or zoning ordinance, shall be initiated or adopted unless the same conforms to and implements the general plan. 1.0 Introduction I County of Hawaii General Plan 28