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REPORT OF THE <br />LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE <br />DATE: February 3, 2026 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 10:30 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 696Bill No. 122 <br />Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Bill No. 122, <br />reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 122, transmitted by Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication <br />No. 696, dated December 29, 2025, amends the State Land Use District Boundaries Map within <br />the County by changing the district classification from the Agricultural District to the Rural <br />District at Waimea, South Kohala, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 6-2-009:018. <br />The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this amendment to <br />the State Land Use Boundaries Map for the requested change of zone, which would allow the <br />applicant to subdivide his property into two lots. The property is located at 62-2239 Kanehoa Place. <br />Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow, Applicant Joseph Gaglione, and his representative John Pipan <br />were present in Chambers. <br />Mr. Darrow provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the state land use district boundary <br />amendment application and the Change of Zone application. <br />Mr. Pipan addressed your committee stating that since the Kanehoa Subdivision was established as <br />five -acre parcels in 1985, a number of requests have been made to increase density there, with some <br />having water constraints. He further added that Mr. Gaglione has two County water meters installed <br />and therefore is requesting for two lots. Mr. Gaglione also addressed your committee noting that his <br />mother and uncle purchased the property and sheep have been raised on it; however, due to losing the <br />agricultural exemption, the current route would be best to keep the property in the family. <br />Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada inquired on the need to change the designation to rural. <br />Mr. Darrow noted that the area has been in transition as a rural designation for decades and therefore is <br />appropriate. He further added that since the LUPAG (Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide) map <br />indicates the area can be rural and it is consistent with the General Plan, changing the designation <br />further helps remove the need for it to be under state land use agricultural requirements for farm <br />dwellings. <br />LAAC Report No. 30 <br />