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46161 Introduction <br />On Hawaii Island'. land use planning plays a vital <br />role in balancing the needs of the environment, <br />community, and economy. The island's unique <br />natural beauty and delicate ecosystems,, including <br />its diverse forests, coastal areas, and volcanic <br />landscapes, require careful consideration and <br />responsible stewardship to ensure their <br />preservation for future generations. Land use <br />refers to the allocation', management, and <br />development of land resources in a particular area. <br />This involves determining how land is utilized for <br />various purposes, such as residential, commercial, <br />agricultural, industrial, or conservation. Land use <br />planning, on the other hand, is the process of <br />guiding and regulating land use decisions to <br />achieve sustainable development and create <br />healthy and resilient communities. <br />Sustainable development is a key objective of land <br />use planning for the County. By strategically <br />designating areas for different land uses, such as <br />promoting agriculture in fertile regions, <br />developing commercial areas in appropriate <br />locations, and preserving native ecosystems, land <br />use planning helps to create a balance that <br />supports economic growth while protecting our <br />natural and cultural resources. Land use planning <br />is essential for cultivating healthy and resilient <br />communities on Hawaii Island. This process <br />involves considering factors such as access to <br />healthcare, transportation infrastructure, <br />recreational spaces, public services, and <br />affordable housing. By promoting mixed -use <br />developments and compact urban planning, land <br />use planning aims to create Live -Work -Play <br />communities, or livable neighborhoods that <br />minimize commuting, encourage physical activity, <br />and enhance social interactions. <br />Additionally, land use planning is critical to disaster <br />resilience. Given our vulnerability to natural <br />hazards and the impacts of climate change, <br />responsible land use decisions can help reduce <br />the risk and impact of such events. Land use <br />regulations, such as County zoning and General <br />Plan designations, among others, can promote the <br />preservation of natural buffers and contain <br />development where sensible, ensuring that <br />communities are better prepared for and <br />protected against potential disasters. <br />The land use element of the General Plan is <br />intended to be used as a policy guide for <br />coordinated growth and sustainable development <br />across our island. As required by the State Planning <br />Act, this section contains goals, policies, standards, <br />and implementation priority actions to define <br />patterns of future growth and guide the location <br />and density of land uses within the County. The <br />land use section seeks to establish the most <br />desirable use of land for residential, recreational, <br />agricultural, commercial, industrial, and other <br />purposes which shall be consistent with the proper <br />conservation of natural resources and the <br />preservation of our natural beauty and historical <br />sites. <br />The land use section is a land -based synthesis of <br />the values, goals, and objectives of the other <br />sections comprising this Plan. This componenL <br />guides where and how land uses, infrastructure, <br />and services should be directed to promote and <br />protect the values of the people of Hawaii Island <br />and to best achieve the goals and objectives <br />outlined in the various elements of the Plan. <br />4.1 Land Use I County of Hawaii General Plan <br />74 <br />