HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0042.061 2004-2006 Shintanf, Earlanne
From: Lori Beach [loribeach@verizon.net] C.i~~~J ~~ii+~ tai'! ~ ~ 1
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 8:11 AM
To: Fred Holschuh ~
Subject: Fw: General Plan r r
General Plan
Summary doc
~To: Fred Holschuh and all Council Members,
Forwarding you a letter to the Hamakua Community.
Aloha Concerned Hamakua Community Members,
As you probably know, the Planning Committee of the County Council
passed
Draft 1 of the General Plan at its' meeting last week. It now goes to
the
full Council far voting, as I understand it there will two more
opportunities for public input. The next Council Meeting is scheduled
for
January 21s'. The official agenda will not be available until late
next
week, but I assume discussion of the General Plan will be on it. I will
let
you know.
I have had several community members mention that they really couldn't
make
much sense out of the General Plan and wanted to comment on it but
didn't
feel as if they understood it.
I have to admit that Draft 1 of the General Plan on the County's web
site
is
confusing. It is the "red lined" copy which contains both the old plan
and
the changes that make up the new plan.
In order to make Draft 1 of the General Plan easier to understand, I
have
taken the liberty to put together a summary specific to Hamakua. This
summary includes a brief synopsis for each of the categories listed in
the
General Plan. I have included more detailed information on the items
most Comm. No. 4i•~D)
Ref. To:.ti
Ref. L'aTe
important to Hamakua (land use, agriculture and economics). Each
category
has a complete listing of the Goals and Objectives of the County and the
Course(s) of action specific to Hamakua (if any). The information in
the
summary came directly from the General Plan and has not been edited in
any
way. I did not include the categories on Plan Implementation or
Amendment
Procedures or any of the maps. They can be found at the County website.
I have lots of opinions about this plan but will not share them with you
here. My intent in doing this is to give everyone an opportunity to
understand this document and to form their own opinion as it will be
what
guides us into the future. Does this document address the needs and
desires
of the community? Will it help us to achieve the future that we
envision?
Hope you find this summary useful, feel free to pass it on or use it as
you
see fit.
On another note: The Hamakua Ag Plan Committees are hard at work
preparing
the Initial draft of the plan to present to the community at our next
meeting, January 29'" at the High School Cafetorium from 2 to 5 pm.
Please
plan on attending.
With much aloha,
Lori Beach
SUMMARY
GENERAL PLAN DRAFT 1
LAND USE
INTRODUCTION
The General Plan expresses both the integrated and specific concerns and problems as
well as alternative solutions and guidance regarding the use of County resources. Land use is
one of the principal focal points of public concern and policy. The other study elements of the
General Plan, that depict the various aspects of the County, directly involve land use in varying
degrees.
The land use element sets forth goals, policies, and standards to guide the location and
density, and building intensities of land uses in particular areas. Regional and/or Community
Development Plans are intended to implement the broad goals within the General Plan on a
regional basis. They serve to designate and coordinate detailed development patterns and
infrastructure needs throughout the County. The Plans detail land use policies and infrastructure
priorities, transportation, recreation and other major land use policies within each area, and must
be developed with participation by the affected communities and adopted by ordinance by the
County Council.
The land use element is intended to be used as a policy guide for the coordinated growth
and development of the County. [t seeks to accommodate growth without congestion; to
designate and preserve the lands needed for residential use, commercial and visitor services,
industry, agriculture, and open space; and coordinate these uses with the County's service and
circulation systems.
LAND USE CONCEPTS
Proposed Land Use Pattern
A well-balanced land use pattern capable of meeting the future needs of the County is an
essential part of the General Plan.
There are no universal standards for determining the amount of land needed in the future
for each land use or activity located within an area. Estimates can be made, however, of the
future land use acreage allocation for each use. The land use pattern is a broad, flexible design
intended to guide the direction and quality of future developments in a coordinated and rational
manner. The General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map indicates the
general location of various land uses in relation to each other.
Land uses are designated generally on the map in reference to the following categories:
Urban [and Rural] Designations
Rural Designation
Rural: This category includes existing subdivisions in the State Land Use Agricultural and
Rural districts that have a significant residential component. Typical lot sizes vary from 9,000-
square feet to two acres. These subdivisions may contain small farms, wooded areas, and open
fields as well as residences. Allowable uses within these areas, with appropriate zoning, may
include commercial facilities that serve the residential and agricultural uses in the area, and
community and public facilities. The Rural designation does not necessarily mean that these
areas should be further subdivided to smaller lots. Most lack the infrastructure necessary to
allow further subdivision.
Agriculture Designations
Important Agricultural Land: Important agricultural lands are those with better potential for
sustained high agricultural yields because of soil type, climate, topography, or other factors.
Important agricultural lands were determined by including the following lands:
• Lands identified as "Intensive Agriculture" on the 1989 General Plan Land Use
Pattern Allocation Guide maps.
• Lands identified in the Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii
(ALISH) classification system as "Prime" or "Unique".
• Lands classified by the Land Study Bureau's Soil Survey Report as Class B
"Good" soils. (There are no Class A lands on the island of Hawaii)
• Lands classified as at least "fair" for two or more crops, on an irrigated basis, by
the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service's study of suitability for
various crops.
• In North and South Kona, the "coffee belt", a continuous band defined by
elevation, according to input from area farmers.
• State agricultural parks.
Some areas that meet the criteria for important agricultural lands on an irrigated basis
only were included in the "Extensive Agricultural Land" category due to their remoteness from
potential sources of irrigation.
Certain areas that could have been classified as Important Agricultural lands have been
placed within urban land use categories. Generally, these are adjacent to existing urban areas.
This represents a decision that the orderly development of those urban areas justifies the eventual
conversion of those lands to urban use.
Because of the scale of the Land use Pattern Allocation Guide maps used to designate
Important Agricultural Land, the location of these lands should be verified by more detailed
mapping when considering specific land use decisions.
Extensive Agricultural Land: Lands not classified as Important Agricultural Land. Includes
lands that are not capable of producing sustained, high agricultural yields without the intensive
application of modern farming methods and technologies due to certain physical constraints such
as soil composition, slope, machine tillability and climate. Other less intensive agricultural uses
such as grazing and pasture may be included in the Extensive Agricultural land category.
The future improvement and development objectives are directed toward making urban
and rural centers more efficient, livable, and safe. Growth should be encouraged in terms of
renewing older areas or extending existing areas. The creation of new urban and rural centers
should be initiated only when it is in the public interest and must be accompanied by
commitments from both government and the private sector for the development of basic
community and public facilities and services. Infrastructure costs less when new residential
areas are located near existing highways, water and sewer lines, and employment centers.
Within the rapidly growing districts of South Kohala and North and South Kona, the Land Use
Pattern Allocation Guide maps focus future urban development around Waimea and Waikoloa
Village, Kawaihae, and between Keahole and Keauhou.
The location of urban and rural uses should be evaluated from the standpoint of how each
use services existing and future land uses of the surrounding area. The direction and fom~ of
growth in accord with future demand will be influenced by many factors.
The General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide Map shall also designate areas for
urban expansion. An area is designated as urban expansion when the specific settlement pattern
and types of uses have yet to be determined.
Through the careful analysis and examination of past and present situations, the
following goals, policies, and standards are set forth to physically plan the lands in the County in
the best interest of the island's residents.
GOALS
• Designate and allocate land uses in appropriate proportions and mix and in
keeping with the social, cultural, and physical environments of the County.
• Protect and encourage the intensive and extensive utilization of the County's
important agricultural lands.
• Protect and preserve forest, water, natural and scientific reserves and open areas.
POLICIES
• Zone urban types of uses in areas with ease of access to community services and
employment centers and with adequate public utilities and facilities.
• Promote and encourage the rehabilitation and use of urban areas that are serviced
by basic community facilities and utilities.
• Allocate appropriate requested zoning in accordance with the existing or projected
needs of neighborhood, community, region and County.
• Conduct a review and re-evaluation of the real property tax structure to assure
compatibility with land use goals and policies.
• Incorporate innovations such as the "zone of mix" and "mixed use zones" into the
Zoning Code.
• Encourage the development and maintenance of communities meeting the needs
of its residents in balance with the physical and social environment.
• Establish a program of continuing review_of the Zoning Code in light of emerging
new industries and technologies and incorporate revisions to land use regulations
as necessary.
• Develop community development or regional plans for all of the districts or
combinations of districts in cooperation with community residents and
periodically review and amend these documents as necessary or as mandated.
• Ensure that condominium property regimes (CPR) comply with the requirements
of the Zoning Code, Subdivision Control Code and other applicable rules and
regulations.
• Encourage urban development within existing zoned areas already served by basic
infrastructure, or close to such areas, instead of scattered development.
AGRICULTURE
INTRODUCTION
In the County, 1,184,599 acres or 46 per cent of the total land area [(l, 185,816 acres)] is
situated within the State Land Use Agricultural district. Included in the district are lands with a
high capacity or potential for agricultural use as well as those with very low potential for
productive agricultural activity.
Commercial agriculture in Hawaii was once dominated by sugar and ranching. With the
demise of sugar in the mid-1990s and reduced production volumes within the ranching industry
since the mid-1980s, independent farmers producing a wide variety of commodities have played
an increasing role in the continued growth of the agriculture industry. At the same time, trends
also indicate increasing efficiencies of operations resulting in overall reductions in land
requirements.
Large corporations and mid-size and small entrepreneurs have led the way in examining
alternative uses for former sugar land. Papaya, macadamia nuts, guava, exotic tropical fruits,
forestry and ginger are some of the commodities [which] that have been given a boost by the
research and marketing efforts undertaken
While additional opportunities to develop new commodities may arise, the realization of
these opportunities requires the cooperative effort of the large corporations, entrepreneurs, the
small independent farmers and government. Large corporations can assist in the supply of land,
water, marketing, and capital; the entrepreneurs and small independent farmer can supply the
human resources of imagination, determination and hard work; and government can provide an
environment that supports their efforts.
In addition to the agricultural land uses relating to the growing of the products,
agricultural land uses also include those relating to the packing, processing and manufacturing of
the products, that may be more industrial in character, but are nevertheless agricultural. The
agricultural industry may also need a variety of such industrial type uses that are dependent upon
the specific processing requirements of the product.
]n light of the changes faced by commercial agriculture, the land use regulatory system
must be examined to determine the adjustments required to allow the agricultural industry to
make the change. [n agriculturally designated areas, both the State and County have established
goals, objectives and policies that reflect a desire to promote agricultural activities as well as
preserve and protect agricultural land.
The County and State governments continue to explore possible changes to their
respective land use regulatory system in response to the continuous changes occurring within the
State's socio-economic climate. As agriculture's contribution to the State's economy since the
days of sugar has declined, there has been a concurrent rise by tourism as the State's major
source of income. The demise of the sugar industry on this island has resulted in thousands of
acres of land being removed from productive agricultural use. At the same time, growth in the
island's population has contributed towards increasing land costs.
Agricultural land values have risen beyond their value for agricultural purposes. The
high cost of agricultural land reflects non-agricultural uses and values rather than the value that
maybe attributed to land if it were used as a resource for food and fiber production. Although
there are many legitimate reasons for allowing zoning and use conversions of agricultural land,
the increasing land values is one of the major problems that needs to be addressed to facilitate
the expansion of agriculture.
One of the key factors in adjusting to the changing socio-economic conditions is the
restructuring of our land use regulatory system to distinguish between important agricultural land
and other agricultural land. These distinctions should be made in the evaluative criteria for
considering zone changes, permitted uses, minimum lot size requirements, and subdivision
development standards.
Rural-style residential-agricultural developments may include either new small-scale
rural communities or extensions of existing rural communities. Such development provides
opportunities for a mix of residential and small-scale agricultural activities. However, the
primary intent of these developments would be to provide an added range to housing
opportunities. Along with this housing, the large lots of these rural areas will provide
opportunities for part-time agriculture, gardening activities and the raising of livestock on a small
scale. By providing opportunities to satisfy the demand for a rural lifestyle on marginal
agricultural land, the pressures to develop important agricultural land for these purposes would
be decreased.
It should be emphasized that commercial agricultural operations will not be discouraged
from or penalized for utilizing lands considered "marginal." Many commodities including
macadamia nuts, papaya, anthuriums and orchids are now produced on such lands. To protect
these existing agricultural operations from urban encroachment, a buffer area, or uses that are
compatible with agricultural operations should be considered before allowing any type of rural or
urban development into the area.
Macadamia nuts, cattle, flowers and nursery products, papayas, vegetables and melons
and coffee all have the potential for continued growth. Although the prospects for agriculture are
encouraging, there are problems that need to be overcome before the potential can be realized.
These problems include, but are not necessarily limited to: land cost, cost/availability ofwater,
cost/availability of transportation, cost of labor, marketing, developing and maintaining quality
standards, and disease and pest control.
Lands for agricultural parks are areas set aside by the State specifically for agricultural
activities to encourage continuation or initiation of such agricultural operations. The State's
Agricultural Parks Program makes land available to small farmers at reasonable cost with long-
term tenure. The State Department of Agriculture currently operates four agricultural parks on
the island, one each in the districts of Puna, South Hilo, Hamakua and North Kona.
The following goals and policies are intended to address some of the land related
problems of agriculture and are to be consistent with and supportive of the overall land use
element.
GOALS
• Identify, protect and maintain important agriculture lands on the island of Hawaii.
• Preserve the agricultural character of the island.
• Preserve and enhance opportunities for the expansion of Hawaii's Agricultural
Industry.
POLICIES
• Implement new approaches to preserve important agricultural land
• Assist in the development of basic resources such as water, roads, transportation
and distribution facilities for the agricultural industry.
• Assist other State agencies, such as the University of Hawaii, College of Tropical
Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Hilo, College of
Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Management ,Department of
Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Office of Planning, Deparhnent
of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture, on programs that
aid agriculture.
• Agricultural land inay be used as one form of open space or as green belt.
• Coordinate and encourage efforts to solve the problems of the agricultural
industry in the County of Hawaii.
• In order to minimize the potential conflicts between agricultural and non-
agricultural uses, standards and guidelines for the establishment of well defined
buffer areas as part of new, non-agricultural developments that are located
adjacent to important agricultural lands shall be developed.
• Land zoned for use in the Rural District shall be expanded, where appropriate.
• Develop subdivision standards that make a distinction between agricultural and
urban land uses.
• Designate, protect and maintain important agricultural lands fiom urban
encroachment.
• Ensure that development of important agricultural land be primarily for
agricultural use.
• Support the development of private and State agricultural parks to make
agricultural land available for agricultural activities.
• Assist in the development of agriculture.
• Assist in the development of water for agricultural purposes.
• Investigate possibilities to prevent non-agricultural uses that could interfere with
potential or existing agricultural activities on important agricultural lands.
• Support efforts to provide tax relief and other incentives to enhance competitive
capabilities of commercial fauns and ranches, thereby insuring long-term
preservation, enhancement, and expansion of viable agricultural lands.
• Ensure that condominium property regimes (CPR) on agricultural-designated
lands comply with the requirements ofthe Zoning Code and other applicable
laws, rules and regulations.
• Farrrt labor housing projects shall be developed in a manner that minimizes the
use of important agricultural lands and is consistent with the character of
sureounding land uses.
• Encourage, where appropriate, the establishment ofvisitor-related uses and
facilities that directly promote the agriculture industry.
• Important agricultural lands shall not be rezoned to parcels too small to support
economically viable fanning units.
• Discourage speculative residential development on agricultural lands.
• Encourage other compatible economic uses that complement existing agricultural
and pastoral activities.
Agriculture - North Hilo/Hamakua -Profile
Profile
Sugar cultivation once dominated the agricultural scene in both districts until the closing
of the Hamakua Sugar Company in 1994. The Hamakua Sugar Company once cultivated
approximately 35,000 acres in sugar in the North Hilo and Hamakua districts. These vacant
sugar lands are slowly being cultivated in various crops. A mainland company has recently
initiated plantings of eucalyptus on Kamehameha Schools land along the Hamakua coast in its
effort to establish a 15,000-acre eucalyptus plantation. A 1981 study to identify the best
potential forest lands within the County identified 80,000 acres, mainly located along the
Hamakua coast between the 1,000- and 3,000-foot elevations.
Within both districts there are small truck farms that raise vegetables, fruits, flowers, and
macadamia nuts. Taro is also raised within Waipio Valley.
Ranching has now expanded from the upper elevations to the ocean.
There are approximately 227,177 acres zoned for agricultural use in the North Hilo and
Hamakua districts.
Agriculture - North Hilo/Hamakua -Courses of Action
Course of Action
• Encourage large landowners to make agricultural lands available for agriculture.
LAND USE -SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
INTRODUCTION
As part of the overall land use structure of the County, the single-family residential
district provides areas for low-density residential uses. The location ofsingle-family residential
lands is important in that they should be in close proximity to centers of employment, shopping
and other conveniences, and [should] have the basic improvements and amenities necessary for
development.
Through careful examination and analysis of the present situation, the following goals,
policies, and standards are set forth to guide the orderly development ofsingle-family residential
areas in the interest of the residents of the County.
GOALS
• To maximize choices ofsingle-family residential lots and/or housing for residents
of the County.
• To ensure compatible uses within and adjacent to single-family residential zoned
areas.
• To rehabilitate and/or rebuild deteriorating single-family residential areas.
• To provide single-family residential areas conveniently located to public and
private services, shopping, other community activities and convenient access to
employment centers that takes natural beauty into consideration.
• To enhance the overall quality of life in our residential communities.
POLICIES
• To assure the orderly use ofsingle-family residential zoned areas and to curb
speculation and resale of undeveloped lots, the County may impose incremental
and conditional zoning, which would be based on performance requirements.
This is to assure that a certain percentage of buildings will be constructed.
• Encourage innovative uses of land with respect to geologic and topographic
conditions through the use of residential cluster and planned unit developments.
[The clustering of residential units in sloping areas is a means of minimizing
grading and drainage problems, preserving the natural appearance of the
topography, preventing strip development, and making optimum uses of the
terrain for buildings and open spaces.]
• Encourage and coordinate with the State in providing fee simple and leasehold
single-family residential lots to the residents through State and/or County Housing
Programs.
• Incorporate reasonable flexibility in codes and ordinances to achieve a diversity
of socio-economic housing mix and to permit aesthetic balance between single-
family residential structures and open spaces.
• Re-evaluate existing undeveloped single-family residential zoned areas and
reallocate zoned lands in appropriate locations.
• Designate and allocate single-family residential zoned lands at varying densities
for future use in accordance with the needs of the communities and the stated
goals, policies, and standards.
• Rural-style residential-agricultural developments, such as new small scale rural
communities or extensions of existing rural communities, shall be encouraged in
appropriate locations.
• Review and amend land use ordinances and codes to include considerations for
rural-style residential subdivisions in appropriate locations. Standards and criteria
for the establishment of these areas shall be developed.
• Require developers to provide basic infrastructure necessary for development.
STANDARDS
• There shall be a transitional area between single-family residential areas and
incompatible uses.
• Major traffic routes shall not be located through single-family residential areas.
• Areas shall have basic improvements and amenities necessary for immediate use.
Single-Family Residential Hamakua Profile
The former plantations that were in operation in the area have heavily influenced the
settlement pattern of the Hamakua district. The sugar plantations in the area were the primary
employers in the Hamakua district. However, as Hawaii neared the end of the millennium, the
plantations also approached the end of their era. Slowly, plantations began to close until the
Hamakua Sugar Company finally ceased operations in 1994. After the closing of the plantation
and the cessation of its housing programs for its employees, The Office of Housing and
Community Development coordinated the use of federal funds to subdivide the Hamakua Sugar
Plantation camps into individual house lots. Assistance towards obtaining title to the newly
created house lots was provided to those employees who participated in the final harvest.
Furthermore, Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) established a program
that provided grants to those qualified owners of plantation homes to conduct emergency repairs
to their homes. Other programs included the design of the Ookala and Paauilo water distribution
system, training for six newly formed community associations, and the closing of existing gang
cesspools and sewage lagoons.
The Hamakua district has 631 acres allocated for single-family residential use. Some
residential zoned lands are located adjacent to the former sugar processing plant and certain areas
have drainage problems.
With the anticipated level of growth in population and economic activity, the current
number of single family residential zoned land should be sufficient. However, the County shall
allocate more land in this zone should the need arise.
Single-Family Residential Hamakua Course of Action
Course of Action
• Designate lands for single family use as the need arises.
LAND USE -MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL
INTRODUCTION
The multiple residential district is part of the County's overall land use structure and provides for
residential structures containing two or more dwelling units.
The following goals, policies, and standards [which follow] are the result of the
examination and analysis of past and present situations.
GOALS
• To provide for multiple residential developments that maximize convenience for
its occupants.
• To provide for suitable living environments that accommodate the physical, social
and economic needs of the island residents.
• To enhance the overall quality of life in our residential communities.
POLICIES
• Appropriately zoned lands shall be allocated as the demand for multiple
residential dwellings increases. These areas shall be allocated with respect to
places of employment, shopping facilities, educational, recreational and cultural
facilities, and public facilities and utilities.
• Incorporate reasonable flexibility in applicable codes and ordinances to achieve a
diversity of socio-economic housing mix.
• Encourage flexibility in the design of residential sites, buildings and related
facilities to achieve adiversity ofsocio-economic housing mix and innovative
means of meeting the market requirements.
• The rehabilitation and/or utilization of multiple residential areas shall be
encouraged.
• To assure the use of multiple residential zoned areas and to curb speculation and
resale of undeveloped lots only, the County may impose incremental and
conditional zoning, which shall be based on performance requirements.
• Applicable codes and ordinances shall be reviewed and amended as necessary to
include consideration for urban design, and aesthetic quality through landscaping,
open space, and buffer areas.
• Support the rezoning of those multiple residentially zoned lands that are used for
other purposes to a more appropriate zoning designation.
• Require developers to provide basic infrastructure necessary for development.
Multiple Residential Hamakua Profile
Profile
The Hamakua District has approximately four acres zoned for multiple residential
development.
Multiple Residential Hamakua Course of Action
Course of Action
• Appropriately zoned lands shall be allocated as the need for multiple residential
development increases.
LAND USE -COMMERCIAL
INTRODUCTION
Commercial development is basically comprised of businesses in the retail trade and
service categories. Commercial areas are generally located in concentrated areas where goods
and services maybe conveniently sold. Examples are shopping centers, central business
districts, and community and neighborhood business areas.
There are two distinct markets for commercial development on the island the resident and
the visitor markets. Adequate planning for commercial establishments in both markets is equally
important.
GOALS
• Provide for commercial developments that maximize convenience to users.
• Provide commercial developments that complement the overall pattern of
transportation and land usage within the island's regions, communities, and
neighborhoods.
POLICIES
• Urban renewal, rehabilitation, and/or redevelopment programs shall be
undertaken in cooperation with communities, businesses and governmental
agencies. [The key to the success of these kinds of programs is active and
sustained participation from communities and businesses.)
• Commercial facilities shall be developed in areas adequately served by necessary
services, such as water, utilities, sewers, and transportation systems. Should such
services not be available, the development of more intensive uses should be in
concert with a localized program of public and private capital improvements to
meet the expected increased needs.
• Distribution of commercial areas shall meet the demands of neighborhood,
community and regional needs.
• Existing strip development shall be converted to more appropriate uses when and
where it is Feasible.
• Encourage the concentration of commercial uses within and sun•ounding a central
core area.
• The development of commercial facilities should be designed to fit into the locale
with minimal intrusion while providing the desired services. Appropriate
infrastructure and design concerns shall be incorporated into the review of such
developments.
• Applicable ordinances shall be reviewed and amended as necessary to include
considerations for urban design, aesthetic quality and the protection of amenities
in adjacent areas through landscaping, open space and buffer areas.
• Require developers to provide basic infrastructure necessary for development.
• Encourage commercial areas to develop on an axis perpendicular to the highway.
Commercial Development - Hamakua Profile
The town of Honokaa provides commercial and government services for the Hamakua
district. Honokaa was once the second largest community on the island for several decades and
has a high school, government offices, and numerous stores and services.
The smaller communities of Kukuihaele and Paauilo have limited commercial facilities.
Although some renovations and new commercial buildings have occurred in Honokaa,
many of the structures housing commercial activities are generally still in poor or dilapidated
condition and lack adequate parking facilities.
Commercial Development -Hamakua Courses of Action
• Centralization of commercial activities in the Honokaa area shall be encouraged.
Urban renewal of the area should be undertaken.
• Suitable commercially zoned lands shall be provided as the need arises.
• Encourage commercial activities within Honokaa town to promote and enhance
the history and culture of the paniolo and former sugar plantation.
LAND USE -INDUSTRIAL
INTRODUCTION
Industrial development includes manufacturing and processing, wholesaling, large
storage and transportation facilities, power plants, and government baseyards.
There are two distinct types of industrial development. One sector is service-oriented and is
affected by population and the level of activity of other business activities. The other sector,
basic industries, is mostly influenced by outside markets. The location of industrial
developments is important for many reasons. In the case of service types of industrial
development (non-basic), areas designated for industrial uses must be close enough to population
and/or commercial areas for efficiencies but still distant enough to avoid traffic problems.
A portion of the County's industrial activity is related to agriculture. These agricultural
industrial activities include the processing of coffee, macadamia nuts, meat products, tropical
fruits, vegetables, and timber. The processing of these export products is expected to expand.
[There is also a small lumber industry.]
GOALS
• Designate and allocate industrial areas in appropriate proportions and in keeping
with the social, cultural, and physical environments of the County.
• Promote and encourage the rehabilitation of industrial areas that are serviced by
basic community facilities and utilities.
POLICIES
• Support the creation of industrial parks in appropriate locations as an alternative
to strip development.
• Achieve a broader diversification of local industries by providing opportunities
for new industries and strengthening existing industries.
• Locate industrial areas convenient to transportation facilities, and provide a
variety of industrial zoned districts and lot sizes, depending on the needs of the
industries and the communities.
• Improve the aesthetic quality of industrial sites and protect amenities of adjacent
areas by requiring landscaping, open spaces, buffer zones, and design guidelines.
• [ndustrial development shall be located in areas adequately served by
transportation, utilities, and other essential infrastructure.
• Provide flexibility within the Zoning Code to accommodate emerging new
industries.
• Industrial-commercial mixed use districts shall be provided in appropriate
locations.
• Require developers to provide basic infrastructure necessary for development.
LAND USE -RESORT
INTRODUCTION
Resort developments are intended to satisfy the needs and desires of both visitors and
residents. Such areas have basic amenities and attributes that support visitor accommodations
and related facilities
How and where future resort development occurs will depend to a large extent on the
County. Although the County is faced with differences of opinion from its residents concerning
resort development, the benefits that can be derived from resort development may be optimized
and the adverse affects minimized. Developers and residents must be made aware of the
circumstances resulting from resort development. Citizen participation, awareness, and most of
all, understanding are vital in resort development, as in al] phases of the planning process.
GOALS
• Maintain an orderly development of the visitor industry
• Provide for resort development that maximizes conveniences to its users and
optimizes the benefits derived by the residents of the County.
• Ensure that resort developments maintain the cultural and historic, social,
economic, and physical environments of Hawaii and its people.
POLICIES
• The County may impose incremental and conditional zoning that would be based
on performance requirements.
• Promote and encourage the rehabilitation and the optimum utilization of resort
areas that are presently serviced by basic facilities and utilities.
• Lands currently designated Resort should be utilized before new resorts are
allowed in undeveloped coastal areas.
• Zoning of resort areas shall be granted when the proposed development is
consistent with and incorporates the stated goals, policies and standards of the
General Plan.
• Continue to seek funds from the State Capital Improvement Program to help
develop visitor destination areas in accordance with the County's General Plan.
• Designate and allocate future resort areas in appropriate proportions and in
keeping with the social, economic, and physical environments of the County.
• Evaluate resort areas and the areas surrounding existing resorts to insure that
viable quality resorts are developed and that the surrounding area contributes to
the quality, ambience and character of the existing resorts.
• Encourage the visitor industry to provide resort facilities that offer an educational
experience of Hawaii as well as recreational activities.
• Coastal resort developments shall provide public access to and parking for beach
and shoreline areas.
• Re-evaluate existing undeveloped resort designated and/or zoned areas and
reallocate these lands in appropriate locations.
• Require developers to provide the basic infrastructure necessary for development.
Resorts -Hamakua -Profile
The visitor industry in South Kohala has provided employment opportunities for
residents of the Hamakua area. Within the district, there is a small hotel located in Honoka'a that
is primarily used by local businessmen, construction workers, and travelers. Bed and breakfast
operations were also established in parts of the Hamakua district. As of December 2000, there
were 42 acres of resort zoned lands in Hamakua. In early 2001, a 15-acre area at Kukuihaele
was rezoned to a resort district for the development of a 40-unit retreat resort facility referred to
as "The Trees at Kukuihaele." There are also no shoreline areas where resort complexes can be
feasibly developed to any substantial degree. Nevertheless, the district does have some visitor
attractions. Waipio Valley is a major visitor attraction. Its beauty lies in its naturalness and the
general absence of man-made elements. Because access into the valley is poor along a steep and
dangerous road, the valley itself is not a suitable location for visitor-oriented commercial
facilities and accommodations. Honoka'a town offers a different visitor attraction with its main
street setting of 1930's commercial buildings.
Resorts -Hamakua -Courses of Action
• Encourage the development of small family-operated hotels.
• Consider small-scale retreat resort development.
• Encourage resort development that enhances the natural beauty of the area.
LAND USE -OPEN SPACE
INTRODUCTION
A vital part of the environment, open space is land that is basically not used for buildings
or structures and is characterized by scenic beauty, existing openness, and natural conditions. It
is the counterpart of development. Retained in its state of use, open space would maintain and/or
enhance the conservation of needed or desired natural, scenic, or historical resources that might
otherwise be permanently lost. It would also enhance the present or potential value of abutting
or surrounding urban development.
Open space is used to maintain and/or provide forestry pursuits, water supply, fish and marine
protection, wildlife and endemic plant preservation, recreational pursuits and visual and scenic
amenities. Open space also demarcates potential natural hazard areas. Just as the use of open
space is affected by development, so is the character and quality of development influenced by
what is done with open space.
The following goals, policies, and standards are set forth to insure the protection and wise
use of open space in the County of Hawaii.
GOALS
• Provide and protect open space for the social, environmental, and economic well-
being of the County of Hawaii and its residents.
• Protect designated natural areas.
POLICIES
• Open space shall reflect and be in keeping with the goals, policies, and standards
set forth in the other elements of the General Plan.
• Open space in urban areas shall be established and provided through zoning and
subdivision regulations.
• Encourage the identification, evaluation, and designation of natural areas.
• Zoning, subdivision and other applicable ordinances shall provide for and protect
open space areas.
• Amend the Zoning Code to create a category for lands that should be kept in a
largely natural state, but that may not be in the Conservation District, such as
certain important viewplanes, buffer areas, and very steep slopes.
STANDARDS
• Open Space designations shall include:
Forest Reserves
Water Areas
Potential Natural Hazard Areas
Natural Areas and Reserves
Open Space Recreation Areas
Scenic Vistas and Viewplanes
General Use Conservation Sub-zones with Compatible Uses
Scientific Areas, including Habitats of Endemic Species
ECONOMICS
Agriculture
Agriculture currently constitutes a major economic sector of the island of Hawaii.
Including processing, the agricultural industry accounts for about 9.5 per cent of the island's
employment. Local agricultural pursuits include the raising of cattle and other livestock, the
growing of coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, flowers and nursery products, vegetables,
aquaculture, forestry and several processing plants that utilize locally grown products.
Some large corporate agricultural ventures such as macadamia nut plantations, operate on
the island. However, diversification ofthe industry has led to smaller operations producing an
ever increasing array of fresh vegetables, fruits, forestry, and aquaculture products.
Hawaii County accounts for approximately one-third of the fresh vegetables produced in
the State of Hawaii, over half of the beef consumed, one-third of the coffee grown, most of the
macadamia nuts, and varying percentages of the other crops and livestock. The total value of
agricultural marketing declined approximately 20 per cent between 1985 and 1997. The number
of farms and livestock operations during this same period increased from 2,650 to 3,319
operations. Acreage in farms, however, declined 57 per cent between 1985 and 1997.
Agriculture has shown substantial growth on the island. The island accounted for 55 per cent of
the crops in the State in 1997 while livestock on the island accounted for 18 per cent of the State
total. While the County's share of statewide agriculture production has remained relatively
constant, its livestock production has been steadily declining since peaking in the late 1980s.
Much of this decline can be attributed to the closing of all feedlots within the State by 1993 due
to the high cost of importing feed. Approximately 90 per cent of all beef cattle are now exported
to mainland feedlots to be "grain-finished" before slaughter. New ventures in forestry and
aquaculture have expanded opportunities and show promise for the future.
One of the most pressing problems faced by today's agricultural industries is their ability
to attract labor. Agriculture is facing increasing competition for labor from other sectors of the
economy, such as the visitor, retail and construction industries. There is also a demand f'or a
greater number of personnel with technical and professional agricultural training. A related
problem is the housing shortage for both minimum wage and seasonal labor.
Competition from urban uses for agricultural lands has intensified. The protection of
important agricultural lands, however, has long been a policy of the County.
The relatively small population of the State and its isolation from overseas markets are
limiting factors for the production of agricultural products for local consumption and export.
The State Department of Agriculture, the Department of Business, Economic Development and
Tourism, the University of Hawaii -College of Tropical Agriculture, and the County have
programs to assist the industry.
The opportunities for the expansion of agriculture on the Big Island seem to be immense.
The demand for fresh, locally grown products continues to grow as restaurants, grocery stores
and hotels seek the highest quality products for their guests. Export products grown mostly on
the Big Island, such as coffee, papaya, macadamia nuts, and flowers, also continue to expand.
These commodities and others, such as ginger, guava and other tropical fruits, have potential for
growth. There are also new high value crops which have the potential to be successfully
cultivated. One such high value crop is Kava (Awa), a medicinal plant which has the potential to
be a viable cash crop. Locally, small growers as well as a few large growers are producing
Kava. Vanilla bean, cacao, nutraceuticals, hard wood forestry products, and medicinal plants are
other types of high value crops that hold much promise for growth.
The expansion of the agriculture industry can also be measured by the success of
overcoming some of the restrictive governmental regulations that prevent many locally grown
products from being exported to domestic or foreign markets. Concerns regarding the
transmission of plant pests and diseases during export have or could be adequately addressed by
current treatment or processing technologies. The development of new protocol and processing
facilities for quarantine treatment will assure the further expansion of the agricultural industry.
In order for Hawaii's cattle industry to strengthen, new techniques need to be developed
for raising forage-tnished cattle to compete in the marketplace with grain-finished cattle.
Hawaii cattle will then be able to finish grazing on island pastures and remain for consumption
within local markets. Local producers also need to find new venues such as processed meats and
pre-fabricated meals to market locally raised cattle. By creating a market niche for forage-
finished beef, ranchers will be able to keep cattle in Hawaii, increasing production weights and
revenues for the State economy.
Forestry
As one of the most heavily traded commodities on the global market and the tenth largest
industry sector in the world, forest products grown in Hawaii may be able to capitalize on its
central Pacific location, excellent growing climate, and the availability of vast expanses of
former sugar lands. Hawaii's growth rates for forest products are among the fastest in the world.
As a result, at least 24,000 acres are now being cultivated for eucalyptus production, with
thousands of additional acres being planned. Dozens of landowners within the County are
currently involved with the commercial production of forest products, both eucalyptus and
higher value hardwoods such as toon, maple, and koa. A 1981 State Division of Forestry and
Wildlife study identified approximately 80,000 acres of former sugarcane land as ideal for the
establishment of a forest plantation. An additional 100,000 acres of pasture and brush lands
were identified for longer-rotation forest plantations. The study concluded that there are ample
lands available on the island to establish a forest plantation industry.
GOALS
• Provide residents with opportunities to improve their quality of life through
economic development that enhances the County's natural and social
environments.
• Economic development and improvement shall be in balance with the physical,
social, and cultural environments of the island of Hawaii.
• Strive for diversity and stability in the economic system.
• Provide an economic environment that allows new, expanded, or improved
economic opportunities that are compatible with the County's cultural, natural and
social environment.
• Strive for an economic climate that provides its residents an opportunity for
choice of occupation.
• Strive for diversification of the economy by strengthening existing industries and
attracting new endeavors.
• Strive for full employment.
• Promote and develop the island of Hawaii into a unique scientific and cultural
model, where economic gains are in balance with social and physical amenities.
Development should be reviewed on the basis of total impact on the residents of
the County, not only in terms of immediate short run economic benefits.
POLICIES
• Assist in the expansion of the agricultural industry through the protection of
important agricultural lands, development of marketing plans and programs,
capital improvements and continued cooperation with appropriate State and
Federal agencies.
• Encourage the expansion of the research and development industry by working
with and supporting the University of Hawaii at Hilo and West Hawaii, the
Natural Energy Laboratory at Hawaii Authority and other agencies' programs that
support sustainable economic development in the County of Hawaii.
• Encourage the development of a visitor industry that is in harmony with the
social, physical, and economic goals of the residents of the County.
• Require a study of the significant cultural, social and physical impacts of large
developments prior to approval.
• Encourage the sustainable development of the fishing industry, various forms of
aquaculture, and other fresh and sea water-based activities.
• Support all levels of educational, employment and training opportunities and
institutions.
• Capital improvements programs shall improve the quality of existing commercial
and industrial areas.
• The land, water, air, sea, and people shall be considered as essential resources for
present and future generations and should be protected and enhanced through the
use of economic incentives.
• Continue to encourage the research, development and implementation of
advanced technologies and processes.
• Support the development of high technology industries.
• Continue to encourage development and utilization of by-products from alternate
energy conversion projects.
• Identify and encourage primary industries that are consistent with the social,
physical, and economic goals of the residents of the County.
• Encourage active liaison with the private sector with respect to the County's
requirements for establishing businesses on the island.
• Encourage the development of the retirement industry.
• Promote a distinctive identity for the island of Hawaii to enable government,
business and travel industries to promote the County of Hawaii as an entity
unique within the State of Hawaii.
• Identify the needs of the business community and take actions that are necessary
to improve the business climate.
• Support research and development that would lead to the removal of marketing
restrictions on Hawaiian fruits and other perishables.
• Assist in the development of a film and video industry program to market Big
]stand sites and coordinate film and video activities on the Big Island.
• Assist the further development of agriculture through the protection of important
agricultural lands.
• Assist in the promotion of the agriculture industry whose products are recognized
as being produced on the island of Hawaii
• Encourage the establishment of open fanners markets to allow local agricultural
producers to market their products.
• Assist in cooperative marketing and distribution endeavors to expand
opportunities for local agricultural products for export as well as to the local
market.
• Encourage the further development of the overseas capacity of Hilo International
Airport for the exportation of agricultural crops.
• Encourage the health/wellness industry.
• Encourage new industries that provide favorable benefit-cost relationships to the
people of the County. Benefit-cost relationships include more than fiscal
considerations.
Economic- Courses of Action for Hamakua
Assist the further development of agriculture and continue to cooperate with the
agricultural sector and other appropriate agencies to provide the necessary
services to assist agriculture.
• Allow the development of limited visitor facilities that will not detract from the
natural beauty of the area.
• Develop a tourism industry that will promote small business development by
maintaining the plantation heritage of the area.
• Diversify the economic base and enhance historical aspects of the area including
existing ranching operations and the former sugar industry.
• Support the growth of a forestry industry within the district.
• Support the growth of astronomical research and development.
ENVIRONMENT
GOALS
• Define the most desirable use of land within the County that achieves an
ecological balance providing residents and visitors the quality of life and an
environment in which the natural resources of the island are viable and
sustainable.
• Maintain and, if feasible, improve the existing environmental quality of the island.
• Control pollution.
POLICIES
• Take positive action to further maintain the quality of the environment.
• Reinforce and strengthen established standards where it is necessary, principally
by initiating, recommending, and adopting ordinances pertaining to the control of
that affect the environment.
• Advise the public of environmental conditions and research undertaken on the
island's environment.
• Encourage the concept of recycling agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste
material.
• Encourage the State to establish air and water quality monitoring stations in areas
of existing and potential urban growth.
• Encourage the State to continue aircraft noise abatement strategies at Hilo
International Airport and the Kona Intemational Airport at Keahole.
• Participate in watershed management projects to improve stream and coastal
water quality and encourage local communities to develop such projects.
• Work with the appropriate agencies to adopt appropriate measures and provide
incentives to control point and nonpoint sources of pollution.
• Support programs to prevent harmful alien species from becoming established.
• Require golf courses to implement best management practices to limit leaching of
nutrients to groundwater in areas where they may affect streams or coastal
ecosystems.
• Require implementation of the management measures contained in Hawaii's
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program as a condition of land use
permitting.
• Review the County grading and grubbing ordinances to ensure that they
adequately address potential erosion and runoff problems.
STANDARDS
• Pollution shall be prevented, abated, and controlled at levels that will protect and
preserve the public health and well being, through the enforcement of appropriate
Federal, State and County standards.
• Incorporate environmental quality controls either as standards in appropriate
ordinances or as conditions of approval.
• Federal and State environmental regulations shall be adhered to.
There are no courses of action defined at the community level.
HISTORIC SITES
GOALS
• Protect, restore, and enhance the sites, buildings, and objects of significant
historical and cultural importance to Hawaii.
• Appropriate access to significant historic sites, buildings, and objects of public
interest should be made available.
• Enhance the understanding of man's place on the landscape by understanding the
system of ahupuaa.
POLICIES
• Agencies and organizations, either public or private, pursuing knowledge about
historic sites should keep the public apprised of projects.
• Amend appropriate ordinances to incorporate the stewardship and protection of
historic sites, buildings and objects.
• Require both public and private developers of land to provide historical and
archaeological surveys and cultural assessments, where appropriate, prior to the
clearing or development of land when there are indications that the land under
consideration has historical significance.
• Public access to significant historic sites and objects shall be acquired, where
appropriate.
• Embark on a program of restoring significant historic sites on County lands.
Assure the protection and restoration of sites on other public lands through a joint
effort with the State.
• Encourage the restoration of significant sites on private lands.
• Collect and distribute historic sites information of public interest and keep an
inventory of sites.
• Aid in the development of a program of public education concerning historic
sites.
• Signs explaining historic sites, buildings and objects shall be in keeping with the
character of the area or the cultural aspects of the feature.
• Develop a continuing program to evaluate the significance of historic sites.
• Develop policies to protect Hawaiian rights as identified under judicial decisions.
• Support the establishment of Hawaiian Heritage Corridors.
• All new historic sites placed on the State or Federal Register after the adoption of
the general plan shall be included in the General Plan.
• Consider requiring Cultural Assessments for certain developments as part of the
rezoning process.
• Recognize the importance of certain natural features in Hawaiian culture by
incorporating the concept of "cultural landscapes" in land use planning.
STANDARDS
The evaluation of the importance of specific historic sites is necessary for future action.
The following standards establish a framework for evaluating sites.
• Importance in the life or activities of a major historic person.
• Associated with a major group or organization in the history of the island or
community.
• Associated with a major historic event (cultural, economic, military, social, or
political).
• Associated with a major recurring event in the history of the community (such as
annual celebrations).
• Associated with a past or continuing institution that has contributed substantially
to the life of the community.
• Unique example of a particular style or period.
• One of the few of its age remaining.
• Original materials and/or workmanship that can be valued in themselves.
• Sites with a preponderance of original materials in context and complexes rather
than single isolated sites unless they are of great significance.
• Sites of traditional and cultural significance.
Historic Sites Course of Action for Hamakua
• Coordinate with the community to identify historical sites and buildings for
inclusion in a heritage corridor program.
Natural Beauty
The importance of natural and scenic beauty and its true evaluation as an asset of public
trust to be protected for future generations remain with the people of this island. While public
planning and regulation are instrumental in achieving the goals set forth for this element, it is
public awareness and interest that will maintain the natural beauty of the island of Hawaii.
GOALS
• Protect, preserve and enhance the quality of areas endowed with natural beauty,
including the quality of coastal scenic resources.
• Protect scenic vistas and view planes from becoming obstructed.
• Maximize opportunities for present and future generations to appreciate and enjoy
natural and scenic beauty.
POLICIES
• Increase public pedestrian access opportunities to scenic places and vistas.
• Develop and establish view plane regulations to preserve and enhance views of
scenic or prominent landscapes from specific locations, and coastal aesthetic
values.
• Maintain a continuing program to identify, acquire and develop viewing sites on
the island.
• Access easement to public or private lands that have natural or scenic value shall
be provided or acquired for the public.
• Develop standard criteria for natural and scenic beauty as part of design plans.
• Consider structural setback from major thoroughfares and highways and establish
development and design guidelines to protect important viewplanes.
• Maintain a continuing program to identify exceptional trees or tree masses.
• Protect the views of areas endowed with natural beauty by carefully considering
the effects of proposed construction during all land use reviews.
• Do not allow incompatible construction in areas of natural beauty.
STANDARDS
The following standards provide guidelines for designating sites and vistas of
extraordinary natural beauty that shall be protected.
• Distinctive and identifiable landfonns distinguished as landmarks, e.g. Mauna
Kea, Waipio Valley.
• Coastline areas of striking contrast , e.g. Laupahoehoe Point.
• Vistas of distinctive features.
• Natural or native vegetation attractive to a particular area.
• Areas that are harmoniously developed and enhanced by man to appear natural.
Natural Beauty for Hamakua
The Hamakua district is tropically lush along the lower elevations. The coast is marked
by densely vegetated gulches and valleys highlighted by silvery green Kukui trees. The most
famous of these is Waipio Valley. This valley is the most accessible in the series of windward
valleys. The natural and scenic beauty of Waipio with its waterfalls and tropical rainforests has
attracted people for many years.
Mauna Kea is also included in the Hamakua district and with Mauna Loa dominates the
landscape along the Hamakua part of the Saddle Road.
The following list of sites are examples of natural beauty in the Hamakua district.
[Kalopa State Park 4-4-14:1 Kalopa
Mauna Kea State Park area 4-4-16:3
Ahualoa Road 4-5-10 Kaao-Nienie
Nienie (Native forest) 4-6-12:25 Nienie
Viewpoint--Lookout Waipio 4-8-04:17 Lalakea
Valley, Kukuihaele
Hiilawe Falls 4-9-09 Waipio
Windward Valley System 4-9-O1 to 15 Waipio,
Muliwai to Awini Muliwai-Awini,
Waimanu Valley Area Waimanu
Waipio Valley Area]
Site Tax Map Key Ahupuaa or Re¢ion
_
Kaloaa State Park 4-4-14:1 Kalopa
Mauna Kea State Park area 4-4-16:3 Kaohe
- _
Site Tax Map Kev Ahupuaa or Reaion
Ahualoa Road 4-5-10 Kaao-Nienie
Nienie (Native forest) 4-6-12:25 Nienie
Viewpoint-Lookout Waipio Vallev. Kukuihaele 4-8-04:17 Lalakea
Windward Vallev Svstem Wa.p .
Muliwai to Awini 4-9-O1 to 15 Muliwai-Awini
Waimanu Vallev Area Waimanu
Waipio Vallev Area
Hiilawe Falls 4-9-09 Waipio
The following designated exceptional trees are adopted by ordinance.
Tree Tax Map Kev
Ohia Lehua (Kalopa State Park) (1) 4-4-14:1
Hame (Kalopa State Park) 4-4-14:1
Kopiko (Kalopa State Park) (1) 4-4-14:1
Ohia Lehua (Kalopa State Park) (2) 4-4-14:1
Ohia Lehua (Kalopa State Park) (3) 4-4-14:1
Kopiko (Kalopa State Park) (2) 4-4-14:1
Ohia Lehua (Kalopa State Park (4) 4-4-14:1
Koa (Kalopa State Park) 4-4-14:1
Ohia Lehua (Kalopa State Park) (5) 4-4-14:1
NATURAL RESOURCES
GOALS
• Protect and conserve the natural resources from undue exploitation, encroachment
and damage.
• Provide opportunities for recreational, economic, and educational needs without
despoiling or endangering natural resources.
• Protect and promote the prudent use of Hawaii's unique, fragile, and significant
environmental and natural resources.
• Protect rare or endangered species and habitats native to Hawaii.
• Protect and effectively manage Hawaii's open space, watersheds, shoreline, and
natural areas.
• Ensure that alterations to existing land forms, vegetation and construction of
structures cause minimum adverse effect to water resources, and scenic and
recreational amenities and minimum danger of floods, landslides, erosion,
siltation, or failure in the event of an earthquake.
POLICIES
• Require users of natural resources to conduct their activities in a manner that
avoids or minimizes adverse effects on the environment.
• Encourage a program of collection and dissemination of basic data concerning
natural resources.
• Maintain the shoreline for recreational, cultural, educational, and/or scientific uses
in a manner that is protective of resources and is of the maximum benefit to the
general public.
• Protect the shoreline from the encroachment of man-made improvements and
structures.
• Coordinate programs to protect natural resources with other government agencies.
• Investigate methods of beach replenishment and sand erosion control.
• Promote sound management and development of Hawaii's land and marine
resources for potential economic benefit.
• Encourage public and private agencies to manage the natural resources in a
manner that avoids or minimizes adverse effects on the environment and
depletion of energy and natural resources to the fullest extent.
• Encourage an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaii's resources by
protecting, preserving, and conserving the critical and significant natural
resources of the County of Hawaii.
• Encourage the protection of watersheds, forest, brush, and grassland from
destructive agents and uses.
• An identification and inventory of forest lands suitable for watershed purposes
should be conducted jointly by County, appropriate State and Federal agencies,
and private landowners.
• Work with the appropriate State, Federal agencies, and private landowners to
establish a program to manage and protect identified watersheds.
• Encourage appropriate State agencies to review and designate forest and
watershed areas into the conservation district during State land use boundary
comprehensive reviews.
• The installation of utility facilities, highways and related public improvements in
natural and wildland areas should avoid the contamination or despoilment of
natural resources where feasible by design review, conservation principles, and by
mutual agreement between the County and affected agencies.
• Encourage the continued identification and inclusion of unique wildlife habitat
areas of native Hawaiian flora and fauna within the Natural Area Reserve System.
• Encourage the use of native plants for screening and landscaping.
• Develop policies by which native Hawaiian gathering rights will be protected as
identified under judicial decisions.
• Ensure public access is provided to the shoreline, public trails and hunting areas,
including free public parking where appropriate.
• Establish a system of pedestrian access trails to places of scenic, historic, cultural,
natural, or recreational values.
• Preserve and protect significant lava tube caves.
• Ensure that activities authorized or funded by the County do not damage
important natural resources.
• Within the Kona high rainfall/fog-drip belt, ground disturbing activities such as
excessive soil compaction and excessive removal of vegetative cover should be
minimized and mitigated consistent with management strategies that encourage
the retention of existing forested and pasture azeas, reforestation, minimal
coverage by impervious surfaces and other strategies that encourage effective
infiltration to groundwater.
• Implement Council Resolution Nos. 330-96 and 58-97 in land use approvals.
• Create incentives for landowners to retain and re-establish forest cover in upland
watershed areas with emphasis on native forest species.
STANDARDS
The following shall be considered for the protection and conservation of natural
resources.
• Areas necessary for the protection and propagation of specified endangered native
wildlife, and conservation for natural ecosystems of endemic plants, fish and
wildlife.
• Lands necessary for the preservation of forests, park lands, wilderness and beach
areas.
• Lands with a general slope of 20 per cent or more that provide open space
amenities or possess unusual scenic qualities.
• Lands necessary for the protection of watersheds, water sources and water
supplies.
• Lands with topographic, locational, soils, climate or other environmental factors
that may not be normally adaptable or required for urban, rural, agricultural or
public use.
• The Coastal Zone and Special Management Area as defined by statute and in
accordance with the adopted objectives and guidelines.
There are no courses of action defined at the community level
HOUSING
GOALS
• Attain safe, sanitary, and livable housing for the residents of the County of
Hawaii.
• Attain a diversity of socio-economic housing mix throughout the different parts of
the County.
• Maintain a housing supply that allows a variety of choices.
• Create viable communities with affordable housing and suitable living
environments.
• Improve and maintain the quality and affordability of the existing housing
inventory.
• Seek sufficient production of new affordable rental and fee-simple housing in the
County in a variety of sizes to satisfactorily accommodate the needs and desires
of families and individuals.
• Ensure that housing is available to all persons regardless of age, sex, marital
status, ethnic background, and income.
• Make affordable housing available in reasonable proximity to employment
centers.
• Encourage and expand home ownership opportunities for [our] residents.
POLICIES
• Encourage a volume of construction and rehabilitation of housing sufficient to
meet growth needs and correct existing deficiencies.
• Encourage the construction of specially designed facilities or communities For
elderly persons needing institutional care and small home care units for active
elderly persons.
• Encourage corporations and nonprofit organizations to participate in Federal,
State and private programs to provide new and rehabilitated housing for low and
moderate income families.
• Support the construction of housing for minimum wage and agricultural workers.
• Continue to review codes and ordinances for overly stringent restrictions that may
impose unnecessary hardship and adopt amendments if warranted.
• Continue to study and implement appropriate measures to curb property
speculative practices that result in increased housing costs.
• Large industries or developments that create a demand for housing shall provide
employee housing based upon a ratio to be determined by an analysis of the
locality's needs.
• Formulate a program for housing that identifies specific mechanisms to
implement the housing goals.
• Utilize housing powers and programs to accomplish housing goals and seek out
new programs and resources to address the housing needs of the residents.
• Initiate and participate in activities with the private sector including the provision
of leadership and expertise to neighborhoods and nonprofit organizations in the
development of housing and community development projects.
• Increase rental opportunities and choices in terms of quality, cost, amenity, style
and size of housing, especially for low and moderate income households.
• Support programs that improve, maintain, and rehabilitate the existing housing
inventory to maintain the viability of existing communities.
• Accommodate the housing requirements of special need groups including the
elderly, handicapped, homeless and those residents in rural areas.
• Investigate, develop, and promote the creation of new innovative and timely
financing techniques and programs to reduce the cost of housing.
• Encourage the use of suitable public lands for housing purposes in fee or lease.
• Encourage the construction of homes for lease or lease with option to purchase.
• Promote research and development of methods, programs, and activities including
the review of regulatory requirements and procedures as they affect housing, to
reduce the costs consistent with the public health, safety and welfare.
• Adopt appropriate ordinances and rules as necessary to implement its housing
programs and activities.
• Utilize financing techniques that reduce the cost of housing, including the
issuance oftax-exempt bonds and the implementation of interim financing
programs.
• Ensure that adequate infrastructure is available in appropriate locations to support
the timely development of affordable housing.
• Investigate the use of the County's taxing powers as a possible means to increase
the supply of affordable housing.
• Work with, encourage and support private sector efforts in the provision of
affordable housing.
• Encourage the development of affordable retirement communities.
• Vacant lands in urban areas and urban expansion areas should be made available
for residential uses before additional agricultural lands are converted into
residential uses.
• Aid and encourage the development of a wide variety of housing to achieve a
diversity of socio-economic housing mix.
STANDARDS
Housing standards shall consist of and comply with:
• Building Code
• Electrical Code
• Plumbing Code
• Zoning Code
• Subdivision Code
• Standards of the single-family and multiple residential land use elements.
Housing -Course of Action for Hamakua
• Aid and encourage programs to rehabilitate and replace the existing housing
inventory, including consideration for self-help programs.
RECREATION
GOALS
• Provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities for the residents and visitors
of the County.
• Maintain the natural beauty of recreation areas.
• Provide a diversity of environments for active and passive pursuits.
POLICIES
• Strive to equitably allocate facility-based parks among the districts relative to
population, with public input to determine the locations and types of facilities.
• Improve existing public facilities for optimum usage.
• Recreational facilities shall reflect the natural, historic, and cultural character of
the area.
• The use of land adjoining recreation areas shall be compatible with community
values, physical resources, and recreation potential.
• Develop short and long range capital improvement programs and plans for
recreational facilities that are consistent with the General Plan.
• The "County of Hawaii Recreation Plan" shall be updated to reflect newly
identified recreational priorities.
• Facilities for compatible multiple uses shall be provided.
• Provide facilities and a broad recreational program for all age groups, with special
considerations for the handicapped, the elderly, and young children.
• Coordinate recreational programs and facilities with governmental and private
agencies and organizations. Innovative ideas for improving recreational facilities
and opportunities shall be considered.
• Develop local citizen leadership and participation in recreation planning,
maintenance, and programming.
• Adopt an on-going program of identification, designation, and acquisition of areas
with existing or potential recreational resources, such as land with sandy beaches
and other prime areas for shoreline recreation in cooperation with appropriate
governmental agencies.
• Public access to the shoreline shall be provided in accordance with an adopted
program of the County of Hawaii.
• Develop a network of pedestrian access trails to places of scenic, historic, natural
or recreational values. This system of trails shall provide, at a minimum, an
islandwide route connecting major parks and destinations.
• Establish a program to inventory ancient trails, cart roads and old government
roads on the island in coordination with appropriate State agencies.
• Develop facilities and safe pathway systems for walking, jogging, and biking
activities.
• Develop a recreation information dissemination system for the public's use.
• Revise the ordinance requiring subdivisions to provide land area for park and
recreational use or pay a fee in lieu thereof.
• Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance.
• Consider alternative sources of funding for recreational facilities.
• Develop best management practices for the development of golf courses in
coordination with developers, State Department of Health, and other government
agencies.
• Provide access to public hunting areas.
Recreation -Courses of Action for Hamakua
• Construct multipurpose rooms adjacent to the gymnasium in Honokaa Park to
accommodate community meetings and functions.
• Encourage the recreational development of Waipio and Waimanu Valleys as
natural and wilderness areas. Encourage the State to provide small recreation
sites on the edge of Waipio Valley.
• Encourage the development of a general use park in the Kaao-Ahualoa section of
the Hamakua Forest Reserve.
• Encourage the State to develop a scenic park on the Kohala side of Hiilawe Falls
in conjunction with the development of the scenic highway.
TRANSPORTATION
GOALS
• Provide a transportation system whereby people and goods can move efficiently,
safely, comfortably and economically.
• Make available a variety of modes of transportation that best meets the needs of
the County.
POLICIES
• A framework of transportation facilities that will promote and influence desired
land use shall be established by concerned agencies.
• The agencies concerned with transportation systems shall provide for present
traffic and future demands, including the programmed development of mass
transit programs for high growth areas by both the private and public sectors.
• The improvement of transportation service shall be encouraged.
• Consider the provision of adequate transportation systems to enhance the
economic viability of a given area.
• Develop a comprehensive, islandwide multi-modal transportation plan that
identifies the location and operation of automobile, mass transit, bicycle and
pedestrian systems, in coordination with appropriate Federal and State agencies.
• Work with various non-profit agencies to coordinate transportation opportunities.
Transportation: Roadways
The following sections on Roadways and Transportation Terminals are sub-elements of the
overall transportation element.
GOALS
• Provide a system of roadways for the safe, efficient and comfortable movement of
people and goods.
• Provide an integrated State and County transportation system so that new major
routes will complement and encourage proposed land policies.
POLICIES
• Encourage the programmed improvement of existing roadways by both public and
private sectors.
• Investigate various methods of funding road improvements, including private
sector participation, to meet the growing transportation needs of the island.
• Encourage the State to establish a continuous State highway system connecting
the County's major airports and harbors.
• Support the development of programs to identify and improve hazardous and
substandard sections of roadway and drainage problems.
• Coordinate with appropriate Federal and State agencies for the funding of
transportation projects for areas of anticipated growth.
• Consider the development of alternative means of transportation, such as mass
transit, bicycle and pedestrian systems, as a means to increase arterial capacity.
• There shall be coordinated planning of Federal, State, and County street systems
to meet program goals of the other elements such as historic, recreational,
environmental quality, and land use.
• Provisions for on-street parking shall he incorporated into the design of street
systems.
• Encourage the State Department of Transportation to establish special scenic
routes within and between communities.
• Transportation and drainage systems shall be integrated where feasible.
• Support the development of an efficient transit route between east and west
Hawaii.
• Adopt street design standards that accommodate, where appropriate, flexibility in
the design of streets to preserve the rural character of an area and encourage a
pedestrian-friendly design, including landscaping and planted medians.
• Develop minimum street standards for homestead and other currently substandard
roadways that are offered for dedication to the County to ensure minimal levels of
public safety.
• Encourage the development of walkways, jogging, and bicycle paths within
designated areas of the community.
• Explore means and opportunities to enhance the shared use of the island's
roadways by pedestrians and bicyclists, in coordination with appropriate
government agencies and organizations.
• The Bikeway Plan for the County of Hawaii (1979) shall be updated to include
the development of a safe and usable bikeway system throughout the island.
• Work in conjunction with the State to establish a clear agreement of the
ownership and maintenance of the old homestead roads
• Develop short and long range capital improvement programs and plans for
transportation that are consistent with the General Plan.
Transportation - Hamakua Profile
The Hawaii Belt Highway is the primary traffic artery connecting Hamakua to the Hilo
and Kohala districts.
Realignment and widening of the secondary road through Honokaa and its continuation
to Waipio Valley complete. The pattern of circulation in Honokaa is overly dependent upon
Mamane Street, the only roadway providing access through the town. There is a lack of parallel
loop circulation routes and most of the local traffic is on Ma~nane Street or sub-streets that
branch off the main street. However, because of the sloping topography and the water courses
dividing Honokaa into separate areas, it is difficult to develop loop circulation systems without
constructing a number of bridges.
In addition to the roads mentioned, there are several homestead roads mauka of the
Hawaii Belt Highway serving the Paauilo, Pohakea, Kaapahu, Kalopa, Kaao, and Ahualoa
Homestead lands. These roads, however, are narrow and in poor condition. There is also a
network of private former plantation roads.
Transportation -Courses of Action for Hamakua
• Encourage the State to instal] additional passing lanes along Highway 19 at
appropriate locations.
• Provide for an industrial traffic connection leading from the former sugar mill to
Highway 19, separating this traffic from local traffic movement on Mamane
Street.
• Encourage the State to construct a scenic highway from the Waipio Valley
lookout extending mauka to connect to Mud Lane at the entrance of Waimea.
• Improve County maintained roads and encourage the improvement ofnon-county
owned roads by the State of Hawaii or private landowner.
• Consider alternatives in the management of Pakalana Street, such as its
conveyance to the State Department of Education or its conversion to a one-way
traffic pattern.
• Provide across-town connection to Plumeria Street by extending Kamani Street.
• Provide a mauka-makai connection from the Kamani Street extension to Mamane
Street on the Hilo side of the elderly housing.
• Eliminate the Milo StreeC extension on the Waipio side of Pakalana Street.
Transportation Terminals: Airports & Harbors
GOAL
• Provide transportation terminals and related facilities for the safe, efficient and
comfortable movement of people and goods.
POLICIES
• Encourage the programmed improvement of existing terminals, including
adequate provisions for control of pollution and appropriate and adequate covered
storage facilities for agricultural products.
• The State Department of Transportation should continue to implement its plans
for transportation terminals and related facilities to promote and influence desired
land use policies.
• Transportation terminals should be developed in conjunction with the different
elements of the overall transportation system.
• Encourage maximum use of the island's airport and harbor facilities.
• Encourage the development, maintenance, and enhancement of Hilo and
Kawaihae Harbors as detailed within the State's Hawaii Commercial Harbors
2020 Master Plan.
• Support the State's objectives to acquire rights within the runway clear-zones,
limit heights within approach zones, and restrict noise-sensitive uses within
designated noise contours determined by the State.
Transportation terminals: Airports & Harbors Hamakua Profile
There are no air or harbor terminals in these districts. The only small boat ramp on the
Hamakua Coast is located within the Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park. Although the boat ramp
was improved through a joint effort of the County of Hawaii and the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers, it is inadequately protected from damage due to storm surges. Without further
improvements, the ramp will continue to be hazardous for users of the facility.
Transportation terminals: Airports & Harbors -Hamakua Course of Action
• Continue to improve the small boat ramp at Laupahoehoe, extend the offshore
protective structure, and provide for adequate parking.
PUBLIC UTILITIES
This section is concerned with the planning aspects of the water, electricity,
telecommunication, gas and sewerage systems. Planning for the location of utility facilities such
as reservoirs and pumping stations, sewage treatment plants, and telecommunications, is an
important aspect of the land planning process.
GOALS
• Ensure that properly regulated, adequate, efficient and dependable public and
private utility services are available to users.
• Maximize efficiency and economy in the provision of public utility services.
• Design public utility facilities to fit into their surroundings or concealed from
public view.
POLICIES
• Public utility facilities shall be designed [so as] to complement adjacent land uses
and shall be operated to minimize pollution or disturbance.
• Provide utilities and service facilities that minimize total cost to the public and
effectively service the needs of the community.
• Utility facilities shall be designed to minimize conflict with the natural
environment and natural resources.
• Improvement of existing utility services shall be encouraged to meet the needs of
users.
• Encourage the clustering of developments in order to reduce the cost of providing
utilities.
• Develop short and long range capital improvement programs and plans for public
utilities within its jurisdiction that are consistent with the General Plan.
Water, sewerage, electricity, gas, and telecommunication services are treated individually
in this section to clarify the factors that comprise the public utilities element.
Public Utilities: Water
POLICIES
• Water system improvements shall correlate with the County's desired land use
development pattern.
• All water systems shall be designed and built to Deparhnent of Water Supply
standards.
• Improve and replace inadequate systems.
• Water sources shall be adequately protected to prevent depletion and
contamination from natural and man-made occurrences or events.
• Water system improvements should be first installed in areas that have established
needs and characteristics, such as occupied dwellings, agricultural operations and
other uses, or in areas adjacent to them if there is need for urban expansion.
• A coordinated effort by County, State and private interests shall be developed to
identify sources of additional water supply and be implemented to ensure the
development of sufficient quantities of water for existing and future needs of high
growth areas and agricultural production.
• The fire prevention systems shall be coordinated with water distribution systems
in order to ensure water supplies for fire protection purposes.
• Develop and adopt standards for individual water catchment units.
• Cooperate with the State Department of Health to develop standards and/or
guidelines for the construction and use of rainwater catchment systems to
minimize the intrusion of any chemical and microbiological contaminants.
• Cooperate with appropriate State and Federal agencies and the private sector to
develop, improve and expand agricultural water systems in appropriate areas on
the island.
• Promote the use of ground water sources to meet State Department of Health
water quality standards.
• Continue to participate in the United States Geological Survey's exploratory well
drilling program.
• Seek State and Federal funds to assist in financing projects to bring the County
into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• Develop and adopt a water master plan that will consider water yield, present and
future demand, alternative sources of water, guidelines and policies for the issuing
of water commitments.
• Expand programs to provide for agricultural irrigation water.
Water -Hamakua Profile
Domestic water is available in all of the urban areas of the district. Some of the existing
lines, however, are small and would be inadequate for a denser population.
The service area of the Hamakua Water System extends from Ahualoa to Pohakea.
Except for the town of Honokaa, the major portion of the system serves a scattered and dispersed
population in the Ahualoa, Kalopa, Kaapahu, Pohakea~Paauhau and Paauilo Homesteads. The
Hamakua system obtains its water from the high level streams in the Kohala Mountains and the
Haina deep well. Over fifty-five per cent of the 0.63 mgd used by the Hamakua system is used
in Honokaa.
The Paauilo system, although presently connected to the Hamakua system, has an
additional source. The capacity of the Paauilo deep well is 0.43mgd and the service area extends
from Paauilo Village to Kaao. The present average daily consumption is 0.10 mgd.
Water -Courses of Action for Hamakua
• Continue to coordinate programs with State and Federal agencies to develop a
well at Kukuihaele and Honokaa Hospital to the standards of the Department of
Water Supply.
• Replace old, sub-standard, or deteriorating lines and storage facilities.
• Investigate groundwater sources in the Honokaa and Kukuihaele areas.
UTILITIES -TELECOMMUNICATIONS
POLICIES
• Encourage underground telephone lines where they are economically and
technically feasible.
• Work with the telecommunications industry to increase the availability of
emergency telephones throughout the island.
• Develop standards for the construction of wireless telecommunication facilities.
• Work closely with the telephone company to provide all users with efficient
service.
There are no courses of action defined at the community level
UTILITIES: ELECTRICITY
POLICIES
• Power distribution shall be placed underground when and where practical.
Encourage developers of new urban azeas to place utilities underground.
• Route selection for high voltage transmission lines should include consideration
for setbacks from major thoroughfares and residential areas. Where feasible,
delineate energy corridors for such high voltage transmission lines.
• Continue to advise the electrical utility companies on the future revisions of their
comprehensive Integrated Resource Plans.
• Conform to safety standards as established by appropriate regulatory authorities.
There are no courses of action defined at the community level
UTILITIES: GAS
POLICY
• Gas storage facilities shall be located to minimize danger to commercial and
residential areas.
There are no courses of action defined at the community level
UTILITIES: SEWER
POLICIES
• The "Sewerage Study for All Urban and Urbanizing Areas of the County of
Hawaii, State of Hawaii," December 1970, and the "Water Quality Management
Plan for the County of Hawaii," December 1980, shall be updated and used as
guides for the general planning of sewerage disposal systems.
• Private systems shall be installed by land developers for major resort and other
developments along shorelines and sensitive higher inland areas, except where
connection to nearby treatment facilities is feasible and compatible with the
County's long-range plans, and in conformance with State and County
requirements.
• Immediate steps should be taken to designate treatment plant sites, sewerage
pump station sites, and sewer easements according to the facility plans to
facilitate their acquisition
• Continue to seek State and Federal funds to finance the construction of proposed
sewer systems and improve existing systems.
• Plans for wastewater reclamation and reuse for in-igation and biosolids
composting (remaining solids from the treatment of wastewater is processed into
a reusable organic material) shall be utilized where feasible and needed.
• Require major developments to connect to existing sewer treatment facilities or
build their own.
UTILITIES: SEWER -Profile of Hamakua
Many small communities, largest of which are Honokaa and Paauilo, characterize the
Hamakua district. There are no public sanitary sewer systems in the Hamakua area. Oxidation
ponds (pond that acts as a settling pond where bacteria can break down the sewage as the liquid
seeps and filters down through the earth) serve the towns of Honokaa, Paauilo, Paauhau and
Haina and are presently adequate. Municipal sewage systems for the smaller towns would not be
economically feasible for some time.
UTILITIES: SEWER -Course of Action for Hamakua
• Investigate possible alternatives to eliminate the need for and continued use of the
oxidation ponds.
ENERGY
GOALS
• Strive towards energy self-sufficiency.
• Establish the Big Island as a demonstration community for the development and
use of natural energy resources.
POLICIES
• Encourage the development of altemate energy resources.
• Encourage the development and use of agricultural products and by-products as
sources of alternate fuel.
• Encourage the expansion of energy research industry.
• Strive to educate the public on new energy technologies and foster attitudes and
activities conducive to energy conservation.
• Ensure a proper balance between the development of alternative energy resources
and the preservation of environmental fitness and ecologically significant areas.
• Strive to assure a sufficient supply of energy to support present and future
demands.
• Provide incentives that will encourage the use of new energy sources and promote
energy conservation.
• Seek funding from both government and private sources for research and
development of alternative energy resources.
• Coordinate energy research and development efforts of both the government and
private sectors.
• Encourage the continuation of studies concerning the development of power that
can be distributed at lower costs to consumers.
• Strive to diversify the energy supply and minimize the environmental impacts
associated with energy usage.
• Continue to encourage the development of geothermal resources to meet the
energy needs of the County of Hawaii.
• Encourage the use of solar water heating through the continuation of state tax
credit programs, through the Building Code, and in County construction.
• Encourage energy-saving design in the construction of buildings.
• Support net-metering and other incentives for independent power producers.
There are no courses of action defined at the community level
FLOOD CONTROL AND DRAINAGE
GOALS
• Protect human life.
• Prevent damage to man-made improvements.
• Control pollution.
• Prevent damage from inundation.
• Reduce surface water and sediment runoff.
• Maximize soil and water conservation.
POLICIES
• Enact restrictive land use and building structure regulations in areas vulnerable to
severe damage due to the impact of wave action. Only uses that cannot be located
elsewhere due to public necessity and character, such as maritime activities and
the necessary public facilities and utilities, shall be allowed in these areas.
• Review land use policy as it relates to flood plain, high surf, and tsunami hazard
areas.
• Update and improve the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and other flood maps in
compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as needed.
• Any development within the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated
flood plain must be in compliance with Chapter 27.
• Promote and provide incentives for participation in the Soil and Water
Conservation Districts' conservation programs for developments on agricultural
and conservation lands.
• The "Drainage Master Plan for the County of Hawaii" shall be reviewed and
updated to incorporate new studies and reflect newly identified priorities.
• Development-generated runoff shall be disposed of in a manner acceptable to the
Department of Public Works and in compliance with all State and Federal laws.
• Develop a comprehensive program for the coordinated construction of a drainage
network along a single drainage system.
• Explore new methods of funding for the provision of adequate drainage systems
and regulating potential flood inundation areas.
• The County and the private sector shall be responsible for maintaining and
improving drainage systems and constructing new drainage facilities.
• Develop an integrated shoreline erosion management plan that ensures the
preservation of sandy beaches and public access to and along the shoreline, and
the protection of private and public property from flood hazards and wave
damage.
• Continue to promote public education programs on tsunami, hurricane, sto~n
surge, and flood hazards.
• Encourage grassed shoulder and Swale roadway design where climate and grade
are conducive.
• Develop drainage master plans from a watershed perspective that considers non-
structural alternatives, minimizes channelization, protects wetlands that serve
drainage functions, coordinates the regulation of construction and agricultural
operation, and encourages the establishment of floodplains as public green ways.
• Encourage and provide incentives for agricultural operators to participate in Soil
and Water Conservation District Programs.
• Where applicable, natural drainage channels shall be improved to increase their
capacity with special consideration for the practices of proper soil conservation,
and grassland and forestry management.
• Consider natural hazards in all land use planning and permitting.
• Discourage intensive development in areas of high volcanic hazard.
Flood Control -Courses of Action for Hamakua
• The Hawaii County "Drainage Master Plan" for the Waipio-Kukuihaele,
Honokaa-Paauhau, and Paauilo-Kukaiau areas shall be updated and implemented.
[These systems incorporate the construction of diversion channels above the
communities which would collect and transport surface flows to surrounding
gulches.]
• Support the use of natural channels and proper soil conservation practices to
manage flood control and drainage problems.
• Implementation of proper flood control measures and soil conservation practices
shall be used to minimize sheet flow, flooding, and sediment runoff from
agricultural and forest reserve land above the communities of the district.
• The Waipio Valley area shall be retained For limited recreational and agricultural
activities due to its high susceptibility to flooding and tsunami inundation.
• Encourage the State to develop mitigation measures for the occasional flooding
along the Hawaii Belt Road between Ahualoa and Waimea.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
GOAL
• Encourage the provision of public facilities that effectively service community
and visitor needs and seek ways of improving public service through better and
more functional facilities in keeping with the environmental and aesthetic
concerns of the community.
POLICIES
• Continue to seek ways of improving public service through the coordination of
service and maximizing the use of personnel and facilities.
• Coordinate with appropriate State agencies for the provision of public facilities to
serve the needs of the community.
• Develop short and tong-range capital improvement programs and operating
budgets for public facilities and services.
• Develop and adopt an Impact Fees Ordinance.
• Capital Improvement and Operating budgets shall reflect the goals and policies of
the County General Plan.
• Require a six-year, long-term, capital improvements budget by County
Departments and agencies that shall be reviewed for consistency with the General
Plan.
STANDARDS
Standards have been established in each of the four major groupings of public facilities.
The various public facilities have been categorized into education, protective services,
health and sanitation, and government operations.
PUBLIC FACILITIES -EDUCATION
POLICIES
Educational policies relate to the provision of facilities rather than programs, which are
the province of the State. It is nevertheless recognized that the facilities and programs are
the tools necessary to improve total educational service.
Encourage continuous joint pre-planning of schools with the Department of
Education and the University of Hawaii to ensure coordination with roads, water,
and other support facilities and considerations such as traffic and safety, and
access for vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian. Encourage master planning of present
and proposed public and private institutions.
• Encourage combining schoolyards with county parks and allow school facilities
for after school use by the community for recreational, cultural, and other
compatible uses.
• Encourage joint community-school library facilities, where a separate community
library may not be feasible, in proximity to other community facilities, affording
both pedestrian and vehicular access.
• Encourage implementation of the Department of Education's 'Educational
Specifications and Standards for Facilities.'
• Encourage the Hawaii State Library System to seek alternate sites for public
libraries located on the campuses of public schools.
STANDARDS
• In proposed communities, sufficient acreage shall be reserved for school facilities.
Sites shall be free from flooding and drainage problems, excessive slope and shall
incorporate appropriate street and driveway design and location to minimize
traffic interference, pedestrian hazard, and enable safe and easy access for
vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
• State Department of Education's education specifications and standards for
facilities.
Public Facilities -Education -Course of Action for Hamakua
• Encourage continual improvements to existing educational facilities.
• Encourage traffic re-routing to resolve school traffic problems.
• Implement the Honokaa school campus master plan.
• Encourage expansion of the present library facility and services.
PUBLIC FACILITIES: PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Protective services consist of fire, police, detention and correctional facilities, civil defense, the
Coast Guard, and National Guard armories.
POLICIES
• Development of police and fire facilities should entail joint use structures
whenever feasible.
• The establishment of afire/police facility shall consider site size and locations
that permit quick and efficient vehicular access.
• Development of volunteer fire facilities with proper planning to be replaced or to
co-exist with full time Fire/EMS personnel.
• Police headquarters shall be near the geographic center of the service area and
near concentrations of commercial and industrial use.
• Stations in outlying districts shall be based on the population to be served and
response time rather than on geographic district.
• Correctional facilities should emphasize rehabilitation. Establish additional
rehabilitation and counseling centers, including drug and behavioral treatment
facilities in secure settings, when necessary.
• Encourage the further development and expansion of community policing
programs and neighborhood and farm watch programs in urban, rural and
agricultural communities.
• The County of Hawaii Emergency Operations Center shall be improved to meet
the requirements set forth by federal and State regulations.
• Maintain funding of two emergency medical helicopters.
• Mitigate hazards through the preparation of disaster assessment reports and
appropriate follow-up on the assessment recommendations.
• Educate the public regarding disaster preparedness and response, especially
proper responses for sudden impact hazards.
• Encourage the State to evaluate the disaster shelters' ability to withstand various
natural disasters.
• Consider the proximity to fire stations in approving any rezoning to permit urban
development.
• The Fire Department, in cooperation with other related governmental agencies
and the involved land owners, shall prepare a fire protection and prevention plan
for forest reserves and other natural areas
STANDARDS
• 2.5 police officers per 1,000 resident population.
Fire stations within five miles of concentrated settlement areas.
• First response emergency medical service within eight minutes of concentrated settlement
areas
Public Facilities: Protective Services -Course of Action for Aamakua
• Service facilities shall be improved to meet needs.
Public Facilities: Government Operations
STANDARDS
• Public office center sites shall satisfy modern and reasonable requirements of
accessibility and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood.
• The multipurpose concept of flexibility to satisfy changing requirements should
be part of the design for public buildings.
• Architectural and landscaping shall reflect as much as possible the community's
attributes.
Public Facilities: Government Operations- Course of Action for Hamakua
• Multi-use buildings housing public office center facilities shall be encouraged in
overall improvements and expansion plans.
PUBLIC FACILITIES: HEALTH AND SANITATION
Under this section, hospitals and related facilities, solid waste disposal facilities, and
cemeteries will be discussed. The latter two are County administered.
POLICIES
• Encourage the development of new health care facilities or the improvement of
existing health care facilities to serve the needs of Hamakua, North and South
Kohala, and North and South Kona.
• Develop and implement a cemeteries master plan for the siting of future
cemeteries.
• Appropriately designed and cost-effective solid waste transfer station sites shall
be located in areas of convenience and easy access to the public.
• Encourage the State to continue operation of the rural hospitals.
• Encourage the establishment or expansion of community health centers and rural
health clinics.
• Continue to encourage programs such as recycling to reduce the flow of refuse
deposited in landfills.
• Investigate the possibility of developing new landfill sites on the island.
• Encourage the full development and implementation of a green waste recycling
prol,~ram.
Public Facilities -Health and Sanitation -Hamakua Profile
Health
The old Honokaa Hospital built in 1951 was replaced in 1995 with a long term care
facility, renamed Hale Ho'ola Hamakua and administered by the Hawaii Health Systems
Corporation. Hamakua Health Center, a non profit community health center, provides outpatient
medical care services and North Hawaii Community Hospital located in Waimea provides acute
and emergency care services. A State public health center also serves the area.
Solid Waste
Solid waste transfer stations are located at Honokaa and Paauilo.
Cemeteries
There are four cemeteries at Kaapahu, Kainehe, Kukuihaele and Paalaea. Limited use
and maintenance of the cemeteries are evident.
Public Facilities -Health and Sanitation Course of Action for Hamakua
• Maintenance of the cemeteries shall be improved.