HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 194 Draft 01 2008-2010
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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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BILL NO. 194
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN, AS
ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NO. 08-116.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The Puna Community Development Plan, as adopted by Ordinance No.
08-116, is hereby amended as indicated by the revisions contained in the document attached
hereto and labeled as "Proposed Amendments."
SECTION 2. Amendments to the Puna Development Community Plan, as provided in
the document attached hereto and labeled as "Proposed Amendments," are indicated by
Ramseyer format, whereby material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken through, and
material to be added is underscored.
SECTION 3. Twelve maps in the Puna Community Development Plan are amended,
and one map is added (Exhibit I), as attached hereto as Exhibit A through M as follows:
Exhibit A: Figure 3-2: Proposed Town and Village Center Locations
Exhibit B: Figure 4-1: Proposed Transportation Corridor Improvements
Exhibit C: Figure 5-1: Kea`au Regional Town Center
Exhibit D: Figure 5-2: Pahoa Regional Town Center
Exhibit E: Figure 5-3: Hawaiian Paradise Park Regional Town Center and
Village Centers
Exhibit F: Figure 5-4: Volcano Community Village Center
Exhibit G: Figure 5-5: Mountain View Community Village Center
Exhibit H: Figure 5-6: Kurtistown Community Village Center
Exhibit I: Figure 5-7: Maku`u Community Village Center
Exhibit J: Figure 5-8: `Ainaloa Neighborhood Village Center
Exhibit K: Figure 5-9: Hawaiian Beaches Neighborhood Village Center
Exhibit L: Figure 5-10: Orchidland Neighborhood Village Center
Exhibit M: Figure 5-11: Nanawale Neighborhood Village Center
SECTION 4. In printing the Puna Community Development Plan, as amended, the
brackets, bracketed material, and underscoring need not be included; the maps labeled as
Exhibits A through M shall supplant their corresponding maps or be inserted as a new map
(Exhibit 1); the table of contents, header/footer, and page numbers shall be updated to correspond
with the adopted amendments; the month and year of adoption of this ordinance shall supplant
the existing provisions for such, in all instances; the title page shall indicate the original adopting
ordinance and the ordinance enacting these amendments; and the document shall be printed
using a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman).
SECTION 5. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL EMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
Hawaii
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1 st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE, Cantu: 664
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
PROLOGUE
OLELO HOAKAKA
What we have in common is far greater than what separates us.
We need to become teachers ofgenerosity through our compassionate deeds, actions, and
example.
We need to address globalization, environmental changes, widespread poverty, and rapid
human population growth.
Existing political and economic models need to be re-conceptualized, transformed, and
balanced.
A cosmic sense ofpurpose and belief, coupled with critical and creative thinking will help us
see the possibilities of the.future.
It's a kakou thing - we are all connected.
Hawaiians have been here for [centuries].
The Po `e Kahiko, the People of Old, mastered environmentalism and sustainability.
In these times, if we look back to the wisdom and ways of our ancestors, we could better move
forward.
B kuleana kakou!
It's everyone's responsibility!
Luana Jones, Puna resident
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Page
1.1 THE SETTING ....................................................................................................................................1-1
1.2 THE PLANNING CHALLENGE ......................................................................................................1-4
1.3 ORGANIZATION OF THE PLAN ...................................................................................................1-6
CHAPTER 2 MALAMA I KA `AINA
2.1 HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND SCENIC RESOURCES 2-3
2. 1.1 GOALS 2-4
2.1.2 OBJECTIVES 2-4
2.1.3 ACTIONS 2-4
2.2 NATIVE FORESTS AND GEOLOGICAL FEATURES 2-5
2.2.1 GOALS ............................................................................................................................................2-6
2.2.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................2-6
2.2.3 ACTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................2-6
2.3 AQUIFERS, COASTAL WATERS AND STORMWATER 2-8
2.3.1 GOALS 2-9
2.3.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................2-9
2.3.3 ACTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................2-10
2.4 SHORELINE AREA ............................................................................................................................2-10
2.4.1 GOALS .............................................................................................................................................2-11
2.4.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................2-12
2.4.3 ACTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................2-12
CHAPTER 3 MANAGING GROWTH
3.1 LAND USE PATTERN 3-3
3. 1.1 GOALS 3-3
3.1.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................3-4
3.1.3 ACTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................3-5
3.2 AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 3-7
3.2.1 GOALS 3-8
3.2.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................3-9
3.2.3 ACTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................3-9
3.3 SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING 3-11
3.3.1 GOALS .............................................................................................................................................3-12
3.3.2 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................3-12
3.3.3 ACTIONS ..........................................................................................................................................3-12
3.4 PUBLIC SAFETY AND SANITATION SERVICES 3-14
3.4.1 GOALS .............................................................................................................................................3-14
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.4.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................3-14
3.4.3 ACTIONS 3-15
3.5 PARKS AND RECREATION 3-15
3.5.1 GOALS ............................................................................................................................................3-16
3.5.2 OBJECTIVES 3-16
3.5.3 ACTIONS 3-17
3.6 ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY 3-19
3.6.1 GOALS ............................................................................................................................................3-19
3.6.2 OBJECTIVES 3-20
3.6.3 ACTIONS 3-20
CHAPTER 4 TRANSPORTATION
4.1 TRAFFIC DEMAND MANAGEMENT 4-2
4. 1.1 GOALS 4-2
4.1.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................4-2
4.1.3 ACTIONS .........................................................................................................................................4-2
4.2 MASS TRANSIT 4-3
4.2.1 GOALS 4-3
4.2.2 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................4-3
4.2.3 ACTIONS 4-4
4.3 ROADWAY NETWORK 4-4
4.3.1 GOALS ............................................................................................................................................4-5
4.3.2 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................4-5
4.3.3 ACTIONS .........................................................................................................................................4-6
4.4 HIGHWAYS .......................................................................................................................................4-6
4.4.1 GOALS ............................................................................................................................................4-7
4.4.2 OBJECTIVES .....................................................................................................................................4-7
4.4.3 ACTIONS 4-7
4.5 NON-MOTORIZED TRAVEL AND SCENIC BYWAYS 4-8
4.5.1 GOALS ............................................................................................................................................4-9
4.5.2 OBJECTIVES 4-9
4.5.3 ACTIONS .........................................................................................................................................4-9
CHAPTER 5 IMPLEMENTATION
5.1 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION 5-1
5. 1.1 BIOSPHERE RESERVE BUFFER ZONE (VOLCANO AREA) 5-1
5.1.2 REVISED GRADING AND GRUBBING CONTROLS (DISTRICT-WIDE 5-2
5.2 VILLAGE CENTER FORMATION 5-3
5.2.1 ZONING DESIGNATIONS 5-3
5.2.2 CRITERIA FOR PROPOSED LOCATIONS AND BOUNDARIES 5-4
5.2.3 USE AND DESIGN STANDARDS 5-5
5.3 IMPLEMENTATION TABLE 5-17
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES
FIGURE 1-1: GENERAL LAND COVER MAP 1-2
FIGURE 1-2: GEOLOGIC RISK ZONES RELATIVE TO POPULATED AREAS 1-4
FIGURE 2-1: NATURAL AREAS UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE PROTECTION 2-2
FIGURE 2-2: PROPOSED BIOSPHERE RESERVE BUFFER ZONE 2-7
FIGURE 2-3: SHORELINE SUBSIDENCE IN KAPOHO AREA 2-11
FIGURE 3-1: ALISH AND IAL LANDS IN PUNA 3-2
FIGURE 3-2: PROPOSED TOWN AND VILLAGE CENTER LOCATIONS 3-6
FIGURE 3-3: OVERVIEW OF PARKS AND NATURAL AREA NETWORK IN PUNA 3-21
FIGURE 4-1: PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS IMPROVEMENTS 4-11
FIGURE 5-1: KE`EAU REGIONAL TOWN CENTER 5-8
FIGURE 5-2: PAHOA REGIONAL TOWN CENTER 5-9
FIGURE 5-3: HAWAIIAN PARADISE PARK REGIONAL TOWN AND VILLAGE CENTERS 5-10
FIGURE 5-4: VOLCANO COMMUNITY VILLAGE CENTER 5-11
FIGURE 5-5: MT. VIEW COMMUNITY VILLAGE CENTER 5-12
FIGURE 5-6: KURTISTOWN COMMUNITY VILLAGE CENTER 5-13
FIGURE 5-7: `AINALOA NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGE CENTER 5-14
FIGURE 5-8: HAWAIIAN BEACHES NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGE CENTER 5-15
FIGURE 5-9: ORCHIDLAND NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGE CENTER 5-15
FIGURE 5-10: NANAWALE NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGE CENTER 5-16
TABLE 5-1: GENERAL USE AND DESIGN CRITERIA BY VILLAGE/TOWN CENTER TYPE 5-7
GLOSSARY
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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Chapter
INTRODUCTION
1.1 THE SETTING
Puna's natural environment is dominated by volcanic activity, unique geological events
and formations, and a variety of plant communities that provide habitat for native species.
Eruptions of Kilauea and the nearby volcano Mauna Loa continue to shape the ecology of the
region, and even the land itself. Rainfall is higher on the windward slopes of [Kilaue ] Kilauea,
while the leeward slopes, extending into [lam;] Kau, are relatively arid. The wetter side is
covered by thick forests of [`Ohi' ] `Ohi`a trees and [Hapti't] Hapu`u tree ferns on all but the
youngest of lava flows or cleared land. On the drier side, vegetation is more open, exposing the
underlying geology.
A distinguishing feature of Puna's native forest is its interaction with repeated, relatively
recent lava flows, creating varied ages of forests underlain by different compositions of lava
flows, ash and explosion deposits. This, in turn, enriches biodiversity, especially in older stands
of forest, known as "kipuka", that have been isolated by younger lava flows.
Some of the native animal and plant species present in Puna are endemic to Hawaii,
found nowhere else in the world. In addition, Puna harbors many other native species, such as
the Pueo (Hawaiian Owl), the `Amakihi, the `Apapane, and various insects, some of which are
rare.
Puna's unique lava tube caves are a notable geological feature and popular attraction.
Kazumura Cave is recognized as the world's longest lava cave at nearly 40 miles. The lava
caves are also important as natural habitats for endemic cave-adapted species of insects and
invertebrates. In addition, some of the caves were used by ancient Hawaiians as burial sites for
Ali `i (royalty) and others.
Puna's geology and biological resources inspired reverence for the landscape by the
original human inhabitants of [14awai'i] Hawai`i. By cultural tradition, Kilauea is the home of
the goddess Pele, giving the volcano and its surroundings sacred status. Ancient Hawaiians
recognized Puna as Pele's land, with human habitation subject to Pele's will. Maka`aina, or
commoners, were free to relocate to other ahupua`a (the lands of another chief) when Pele
reasserted her dominion over the land. A map dated 1826 indicates 24 ahupua`a located around
the entire coast of Puna. ' While human settlement from ancient times was concentrated in a I-
to 3-mile band near the shoreline, mauka areas near the volcano and upper reaches of forest were
visited for gathering as well as spiritual purposes.
Community Management Associates for the County of Hawaii, Puna Community Development Plan Technical Report, 1995.
1-1
INTRODUCTION
Many of the ancient trails, which are still protected as public land or with traditional
access rights, connect areas of natural beauty that have cultural significance. Even though the
19`h and 20th centuries brought rapid physical and cultural changes, some of the trails lead to
remote spots that are important for traditional gathering and other cultural practices. The areas
they traverse include some stands of fairly intact native vegetation with little modern
development, offering a glimpse to the past.
Figure 1-1: General Land Cover Map
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Extensive tracts of Puna's landscape were transformed when Western contact brought
large scale resource exploitation and agriculture in successive waves. Sandalwood export began
in 1790, reaching its peak between 1810 and 1825. After Hawai`i's first forestry law in 1839
restricted the removal of sandalwood trees, cattle ranching and coffee cultivation became the
1-2
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
leading commercial activities. By 1850, agriculture diversified with the cultivation of potatoes,
onions, pumpkins, oranges, and molasses.2 Soon, sugarcane was in large-scale production. The
dominant operation in Puna was the Puna Sugar Company, whose plantation fields extended for
ten miles along both sides of Highway 11 between Kea`au and Mountain View, as well as in the
Pahoa and Kapoho areas.3
Macadamia nuts and papaya were introduced in 1881 and 1919 respectively. Since the
closure of the Puna Sugar Company in 1991, papaya and macadamia nut production have
become the leading cash crops of Puna. About 97% of the state's papaya production occurs in
Puna, primarily in the Kapoho area. The closure of sugar production in Puna potentially opened
a large amount of agriculture land to a more diversified industry, although much of the former
plantation land lies unused and covered predominantly by non-native trees, shrubs and grasses.
A variety of growing conditions supports diversified agriculture in Puna. Presently, Puna
produces at least 40 different agricultural products including cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and
livestock. While the district is generally a wet, warm climate, drier conditions at lowland areas
such as Kapoho are ideal for cultivating papaya, whereas wetter, cooler conditions in the
Volcano area are suitable for growing crops that cannot thrive in many other areas of Hawaii.
Even the wettest of areas have produced well under greenhouse cover. Also, due to volcanic
activity, the age of the soils varies considerably throughout Puna, with corresponding variations
in inherent natural fertility and tendency to resist weeds.
The recent pattern of residential development and population growth in Puna is the result
of widespread land subdivision within the past half century. Between 1958 and 1973, more than
52,500 subdivision lots were created. Since that time, nearly 2,500 of these lots have been
covered by lava flows or have been rendered unbuildable by shoreline subsidence, reflecting the
risks of building on a landscape subject to volcanic and seismic hazards. Moreover, most
subdivision lots are accessed by private, unpaved roads. The streets generally lack sidewalks and
lighting, and do not meet current County standards in terms of pavement width, vertical
geometries, drainage and other design parameters. None of the subdivisions have central sewer
systems and only a couple have private water systems. Most lots rely on individual catchment
systems supplemented with private delivery trucks for potable water. Large sections of some
subdivisions are off the power grid.
Despite the natural hazards and rudimentary infrastructure and services in these
subdivisions, build-out of the lots has been occurring, with the northeast quadrant of Puna and in
the vicinity of Volcano experiencing the highest rates of population growth. Puna is
experiencing the fastest rate of growth of all the districts in the County of Hawaii. The Census
population count in 2000 for Puna was 31,335. In March 2007 the estimated population was
43,071, an increase of over 37% in less than 7 years. By 2030, the population is projected to
grow to approximately 75,000. Since only about one-quarter of the available lots have been
developed at present, it is clear that these extensive subdivisions present formidable challenges to
2 Hawaii 's Agricultural Gateway website, littp://www,hawaiia~,y.org/history.htm
3 [#awaii] Hawaii Sugar Planters' Association, Plantation Archives, http://www2.hawaii.edu/--speccoll/p puna.html
1-3
INTRODUCTION
the natural environment and the rational management of development and future population
growth.
1.2 THE PLANNING CHALLENGE
If Puna continues to develop at the present rate within the framework of the extensive
subdivisions, there will be several types of significant, long-term consequences:
• An increasing number of people and property improvements are being put at risk due
to natural hazards. All of Puna lies within the three most hazardous geological risk
zones: LFI, LF2 and LF3. About 6,400 subdivision lots lie in the highest hazard
zone, LFI, and over 500 of these are exposed to additional risks from subsidence,
tsunami and earthquakes. That 2,038 lots in the lower hazard zone LF2 have been
covered or cut off by lava flows in recent decades underscores the hazardous nature
of much of the district.
Figure 1-2: Geological Risk Zones Relative to Populated Areas and Subdivisions
1
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
• Because Puna's subdivisions are so large and have few arterial streets, evacuation of
residents on short notice in the event a lava flow, earthquake, tsunami or hurricane is
a significant problem with serious consequences to public safety. The potential
problem worsens as subdivision lots continue to develop and no infrastructure
improvements are made.
• As more lots are developed, an increasing number of residents expect improved
infrastructure. The cumulative impact of widespread use of cesspools on the quality
of the aquifer and coastal waters is undetermined. Retrofitting infrastructure
improvements is expensive, and not all residents are willing to either bear the cost or
accept the transition from a "rural" setting to one that is more suburban.
• Because subdivision lots were sold in their undeveloped state rather than with
dwellings, development has occurred in an uneven, "leap-frog" pattern, which makes
it even more difficult to develop infrastructure and provide services to the population.
Residents often must make long trips to employment, schools, shopping and other
destinations to meet daily needs.
• While most of these subdivisions are on agricultural-zoned lands, the actual use of
developed lots is predominantly residential. As in-fill residential development
continues, it will be more difficult for existing small-lot agricultural uses to remain
viable due to complaints from neighbors about nuisance effects of agricultural
operations and potential increases in crop theft or vandalism.
• Lot development adversely impacts the native forest in an obvious way when an
entire lot is cleared of vegetative cover to make way for buildings and yards. But
clear-cutting and pin-to-pin grading and grubbing of lots has subtler impacts, as well,
such as:
- Openings in the forest promote the spread of invasive, non-native species. Non-
native plants affect the forests by changing the soil chemistry and increasing
shade, making it hard for native plants to compete and survive.
- Fragmenting the forest creates "edge" habitat that further accelerates the decline
of native organisms.
- Fragmentation also changes the microclimate of adjacent forest (i.e., increased
temperature and sunlight and decreased moisture in the understory), altering
growing regimes for plants and the suitability of nesting sites.
- Grading creates boggy areas devoid of vegetation, providing breeding habitat for
mosquitoes, a vector for avian malaria, which further threatens the native bird
population.
- Re-contouring of lots through grading and filling alters local drainage patterns
[ate], affecting adjacent properties or rights-of-way.
- Lot grading can lead to the collapse of an underlying lava tube, which in turn may
expose a unique cave ecosystem or an ancient burial site or artifact.
1-5
INTRODUCTION
The combination of these challenges calls for bold planning initiatives to re-shape the
pattern of future growth and development in a manner that is more in harmony with the natural
setting and more supportive of a better, sustainable quality of life. These initiatives are
embodied in the three main themes of this plan.
1.3 ORGANIZATION OF THE PLAN
The Puna Community Development Plan is organized into three overarching themes that
correspond to the top three issues that face the region, as identified in the public involvement
process, including:
• Public participation and County policy, as reflected in earlier planning efforts,
including the draft Puna Community Development Plan in the early 1990's, the
County of Hawaii General Plan (2005), the Puna Regional Circulation Study (2005),
and the various community-based master plans produced for several of Puna's
subdivisions and villages.
• The 130 Small Group Meetings held throughout Puna in early 2006 to solicit issues,
concerns and ideas at the "grass roots" level.
• The two public workshops held in July and September, 2006, to provide background
information on conditions and trends and potential tools to address issues, as well as
to solicit additional comments and ideas from Puna stakeholders.
• The analyses and recommendations in written reports prepared and submitted by the
citizen-based Working Groups.
• Comments received on the series of three Working Papers prepared by the project
consultant to address each of the three themes, drawing from the reports of the
Working Groups and the preceding planning efforts.
• Deliberations and decisions by the Puna Community Development Plan Steering
Committee in a series of meetings in September through December 2007 on
preliminary goals, objectives and actions compiled by the project consultant, based on
the results of the above work products.
At its January 18, 2007 meeting the Steering Committee adopted the following vision
statement to embrace the three themes and guide the direction of the plan:
The Vision: Malama Puna A Mau Loa!
Residents of Puna live in harmony with the 'dina while promoting a sustainable vibrant local
economy, healthy communities, and a viable transportation system that is accessible, friendly and
safe for now and future generations.
The three themes of this plan are presented in the following order:
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
• Malama I Ka ['Aina] `Aina establishes how the contextual natural, historic and
cultural features of Puna should be preserved and respected. The goals, objectives
and implementing actions under this theme address cultural and historic sites 'and
districts; forest lands and unique geological features; scenic resources; and drainage,
aquifers and coastal water quality.
• Growth Management addresses how the future pattern of human settlement and land
use should be shaped to respect that context and support the desired quality of life for
Puna's residents. The goals, objectives and implementing actions under this theme
address the land use pattern; agricultural and economic development; public services,
social services and housing; parks and recreation and renewable energy and energy
efficiency.
• Transportation focuses on sustainable approaches to transportation to support the
goals of the two above themes. The goals, objectives and implementing actions under
this theme address mass transit and alternative travel modes, travel demand
management and roadway connectivity and safety.
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INTRODUCTION
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Chapter 2
MALAIVIA I KA `AINA
Despite the destruction of native forest and other resources that has occurred in Puna, and
the potential for much more damage through land development in the extensive subdivisions, as
described in Chapter 1, there remains a good opportunity not only to protect what is left, but
even reverse some of the historical impacts.
Puna contains vast acreage of largely intact natural area that comes under the protection
of Federal and State regulations; for example:
• The western portion of Puna is dominated by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and
the adjoining upper east Hawaii rainforest. The Park was designated by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an
International Biosphere Reserve in 1980, reflecting its value for research and
protection of evolutionary resources, and as a World Heritage Site in 1987, citing its
geological resources.
• The State of Hawaii designated two areas adjoining the Park as Natural Area
Reserves Kahauale`a and Pu`u Maka`ala meeting the same standards of resource
quality and protective management as the Biosphere Reserve.
• The State also manages several other forest reserves in Puna comprising 131,659
acres: Upper ["tea] Waiakea Forest Reserve, [`T.-C[iakeCC] Waiakea Forest Reserve,
[91a` a] `Ola`a Forest Reserve (Mountain View Section), [Nanawal Nanawale
Forest Reserve, Malama Ki Forest Reserve, Keau`ohana Forest Reserve, and the
recently acquired Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve.4
• The State Conservation District, which encompasses almost all of the above areas as
well as some additional lands, is organized' as a regulatory hierarchy under the
jurisdiction of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
There are five subzones of the Conservation District, each intended to provide a
degree of regulatory protection that reflects the intactness or relative significance of
the resources that are present in those subzones. About half of Puna's Conservation
District is in the Protective Subzone, which is the most restrictive of the five subzones
in terms of allowable uses. The remainder is in either the Limited Subzone, which is
designated for areas with potential high risk of natural hazard, or the Resource
Subzone, which is generally applied to less intact forest reserves.
• The Conservation District also includes the submerged lands beneath coastal waters.
DLNR's Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands therefore addresses shoreline and
4 The Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve is owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs but managed by DLNR's Division of
Forestry and Wildlife.
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MALAMA I KA `AINA
near-shore issues and regulations. The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) is
responsible for monitoring and protecting the quality of the waters themselves under
the authority of the Federal Clean Water Act.
Figure 2-1: Natural Areas Under Federal or State Protection
Natural Area Reserve Community Development Plan Boundary
National Park Subdivisions
It Resen<>. Major Highways
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The remainder of Puna - about 56% of the entire land area of the district - lies
predominately within the State Agricultural District and, to a lesser extent, in the State Urban
and Rural Districts. The County has primary jurisdiction overland use and development in these
Districts and can take proactive measures to protect resources in these areas, which encompass
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
former agricultural fields and pastures, early towns and villages, extensive partially developed
subdivisions, and large tracts of native forest.
While much of the natural environment and some of the cultural heritage of these areas
has been altered and compromised, effective and timely intervention can do much to prevent
further degradation and possibly even restore some of what has been lost or undergoing change.
The theme of Malama I Ka `Aina encompasses all aspects of the natural and cultural
environment, seeking to preserve and perpetuate not only the native forests and geological
formations, but also pristine waters, unspoiled, star-lit skies, serene natural habitats, and vestiges
of Puna's historic heritage. The following sections propose specific new regulatory, incentive,
and educational programs to promote sustainable practices to preserve Puna's natural and
cultural resources indefinitely. On a broader level, Chapter 3 will complement these proposals
with measures to reshape Puna's development pattern and reduce the development potential of
existing subdivisions.
2.1 HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND SCENIC RESOURCES
Only nine sites in Puna are listed on the Hawaii and/or National Register of Historic
Places, but there are many other sites throughout the district that have been identified as having
historic significance.
Puna's coastal areas have relatively dense concentrations of historical, cultural, and burial
sites. Burial sites and cultural artifacts are not uncommon on subdivision lots, although many
are hidden in lava tubes, making them susceptible to destruction due to grading. While the State
Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) plays a role in reviewing construction permits and State
law requires that construction activity be halted in the event of discovery of archaeological
remains, the effectiveness of these measures is limited due to a shortage of SHPD staff, lack of
information about the location of sites, and weak inspection and enforcement mechanisms.
Greater County-level involvement in this process could improve results.
Puna's history is also evident in the architecture of its older towns and villages; namely,
Kea`au, the Kurtistown-Mountain View corridor, Pahoa, and Volcano. Each of these places has
a distinctive design character that reflects its history and location. Volcano presently has a small,
legally recognized historic district, but otherwise there are no special design controls to preserve
the design character of these towns. Of the four towns, Volcano and Pahoa have the greatest
potential for designation as Special Design Districts, based on their existing fabric. Design
controls for Kea`au and Kurtistown-Mountain View can be woven into "floating e"]
rezoning approvals for the village center designations for those places, which is discussed further
in Chapters 3 and 5.
Scenic natural settings are numerous in Puna, but they are, for the most part, protected by
existing land use controls or public land agencies. Trails and scenic byways deserve special
mention, since they are continuous visual experiences along a designated corridor and are
particularly vulnerable to loss. Because they also serve a transportation function, they are
addressed in Section 4.5 as well as below.
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MALAMA I KA'AINA
a
2.1.1 Goals
a. Structures and cultural sites that are significant to Puna's history and cultural traditions
are preserved.
b. The design character and natural setting of older communities that are representative of
Puna's historic development are perpetuated.
c. Areas of scenic and cultural interest are accessible to the public in a manner that does not
detract from their aesthetic, natural and cultural value.
d. Awareness and appreciation of the host culture is expanded.
e. The native forests of Puna are revered as part of the native culture and are provided with
permanent protection from degradation and loss.
f. Tourism in Puna is compatible with historic and natural resources and not intrusive into
the area's communities.
2.1.2 Objectives
a. Create a County entity and adopt a process for identifying historic and cultural sites and
advocating for their preservation and/or restoration within the County's permitting and
approval processes.
b. Adopt appropriate location-specific development standards and design guidelines for
buildings, landscape treatment and public infrastructure for communities designated for
Special Design District status.
c. Protect cultural sites from destruction by development activity.
d. Adopt "kanaka" building code standards to allow structures utilizing traditional Hawaiian
building design and construction methods.
2.1.3 Actions
[a. Establish a County hister-ie pr-esen,atien eom king the County eligib!
purposes of the eemmission are te:
Provide histarie pr-es a on r-eview and - adyie@ to the Planning epar-t epA-,
County, DepaAment of Publie Works and other- State, and Fedefal age i
>
Hawai'i Foundation to eneoufagam-owners t6iczentefy, 0 0 0 or- restore histo
and a ltur- l f .,tur-es o their " peft.,•
1'.1 t sites f listing o the L Haar; Register- of inter-io Dlaees;
Assist development of historie and ,lt„ a1 "t° et0io ;to that
are planned for- t r.,tio .e- as the Old Pun Trail hist°r"e eofT-idor- and Red Read
byway;
seenie Advise the Depu ents of Planing U41ie Works ,.n He lth on their- efm t
appr-oval o ;
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Notify development pefmit applieants about guidelines and standards for- identifyi-ag
and tpr-eteeting e-ul-tur-al andhister-ie--af-fifae --and fiaatur-es. Prior- to and during
development projeets, -capplieamsiould seek advic from the Depaftments of
planning an D„b,l;^ Woks about pefmit a °1 ts;
o eiie"ia w,
Assist the Cotinty and loeal organizations in planning and eendueting euktifal events-,
and
. . te for- County empleyees, realtor-s, tetir- guides, and anyone involved with
promoting or developing Puna !an&.]
[b-] a. [Initi-ate] Propose Special Design [Distfiet] Districts with detailed planning, design
standards and review procedures for the following areas:
- Volcano Village historic core and the separate Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone (see
Section 2.3.3 a);
- Pahoa Town;
- Kea`au Town; and
- Kurtistown-to-Mountain View corridor.
Refer to Chapter 5 for implementation guidelines related to this action.
[E] b. [fiend] Propose amendments to the County building code to add standards for
structures utilizing traditional Hawaiian building design and construction methods. There
may be certain limitations placed on the occupancy or use of these structures, such as for
cultural purposes, accessory uses and/or occasional gatherings only.
[El.Amend the Gotinty gnadir of!dinanee to 011sAiLtation with the HistoFfe
prior- to the issuanee of a grading peffnit-.]
2.2 NATIVE FORESTS AND GEOLOGICAL FEATURES
As mentioned in the introduction to this chapter, much of Puna's native forests and
unusual geological features are protected by a network of Federal and State management and
regulatory controls. However, there are several important areas and features that are exposed to
significant impact from activities outside of these protected areas and require County initiatives
to protect these resources:
• Lava tubes and caves, some of which host endemic wildlife, extend throughout the
district. Collapsed tubes and caves can also protect portions of forest from fires,
enabling native vegetation to reach a climax condition. The destruction of such
features could therefore disrupt the ecological system.
• The upper Puna forests and segments of the lower Puna forest are among the finest
and most well preserved of their types in the state. Some of these areas, however, are
zoned for agriculture and urban uses and are therefore presently unprotected by
regulation.
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MALAMA I KA `MNA
• The community of Volcano and surrounding subdivisions contain some of the most
extensive areas of native forest and it is situated directly between the high-quality
protected native forest areas mentioned in the introduction to this Chapter, thereby
providing a critical linkage between these native habitats. Currently, much of this
area is zoned for residential or agriculture use, without any additional regulatory
control to prevent further subdivision or excessive land clearing.
2.2.1 Goals
a. The connection between intact native forests in Volcanoes National Park and nearby
State forest reserves and natural area reserves is preserved while allowing for more
limited orderly development of the residential and agricultural areas in between.
b. Destruction of native forest through development activity is abated.
c. The spread of invasive species through abandonment of previously cleared areas is
reduced.
d. Residents, those employed in the real estate and construction industries, and the general
public are made more aware of the value of the native forest, the threats to that
ecosystem, and actions that can be taken to sustain the forest.
2.2.2 Objectives
a. Adopt a Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone (BRBZ) and designate a BRBZ Advisory
Commission to guide development within the region's native forest through regulatory
measures and economic incentives.
b. Adopt regulatory measures, educational programs and incentives to preserve remnants of
native ecosystems in Puna subdivisions, especially remnants at lower elevations.
c. Modify and enforce Chapter 10, [I4awaii] Hawaii County Code (HCC), to prevent storm
water diversion to other properties.
d. Increase the County's role in helping to sustain the native forest, primarily through tax
incentives, new regulations and zoning changes.
e. Provide tax incentives to encourage more landowners to participate in programs to
preserve native species and to remove invasive species.
2.2.3 Actions
a. Enact a BRBZ, either separately or as an overlay district for the [fir] Volcano area, to
include proposing the following provisions and other supporting measures:
- Standards for maximum land disturbance within the BRBZ;
- A system to monitor the ['Ohi' ] `Ohi`a forest canopy with the BRBZ;
- A set of economic incentives designed to reduce forest clearance and the number of
developable lots within the BRBZ [an transfer- development rights within ^ out 0
the BRBZ];
- Mitigation standards and procedures that provide guidelines for the restoration and re-
planting of disturbed areas;
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
- A study to mitigate localized flooding in ecologically friendly ways, such as using
vacant, forested lots to absorb floodwaters (see also Action c. in Section 2.3.3)[...];
- Use of "small-footprint" septic tanks to reduce lot grading;
- An expert advisory committee to assist in developing standards, project reviews and
public education programs related to the BRBZ;
- Designation of unencumbered State-owned lands near Wright Road for either Natural
Area Reserve or Forest Reserve status;
- Amendment to the General Plan to recognize the purpose and intent of the BRBZ and
designation of State-owned lands in the BRBZ to "Open";
- Prohibition of [91] `Ghana Dwelling Units within the BRBZ; and
- [Re-zoning] Within the Volcano area, propose re-zoning agricultural- and residential-
zoned lots to an appropriate designation to prevent further subdivision.
Refer to Chapter 5 for implementation guidelines related to this action.
Figure 2-2: Proposed Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone
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Pici(tei clliici>~ihtr7c
'ti'i i R-tv-, Two
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MALAMA I KA `AINA
b. [Amend] Propose amendments to the grubbing and grading ordinance and/or the zoning
code to protect native species, geological and historic features outside of the BRBZ by
preventing pin-to-pin lot grading, clearing and grading encroachments onto adjacent lots
and water diversions into adjoining properties. The new regulations should provide
standards for the preservation of native vegetation, review and public notice procedures
for grading permits, and penalties for violations.
Refer to Chapter 5 for implementation guidelines related to this action.
c. [Es h] Propose to establish an Office of County Ecologist within the Planning
Department to administer the new regulatory provisions and foster partnerships to
provide public education and technical support for forest conservation, such as:
- Assisting other County agencies such as Department of Public Works and
Department of Parks and Recreation in their programs and facility planning and
maintenance as they relate to native species habitat preservation;
- Engaging in collaborative relationships with Federal and State agencies, educational
institutions and non-profit organizations that conduct research or administer programs
for the protection of native species habitat and the abatement of invasive species; and
- Launching and sustaining a public education and outreach program to enlist
community support and involvement in forest protection and to raise awareness of
invasive species and practices that threaten the native forest.
d. Provide indirect County support for native vegetation preservation via land conservation
trusts by offering real property tax reductions for conservation easements and
contributing County land, where appropriate, to a trust for native habitat management.
e. Reduce the minimum lot size to qualify for the native forest preservation tax reduction
and allow it in any zoning district. Enrollment of a lot in this program is voluntary, but it
is binding and permanent, and. attached to effective measures to prevent significant
clearing or other adverse alterations of the forest cover.
£ Encourage the County and the State to investigate and implement alternatives to the use
of herbicides for weed control on public properties.
2.3 AQUIFERS, COASTAL WATERS AND STORMWATER
The fresh water basal lens underlying Puna floats or flows on sea water and has been
measured to reach up to 30 feet above sea level and has an estimated lens thickness of up to
1,200 feet. The aquifer, due to the porosity of the substrate and the extensive forested watershed,
is believed to contain huge flows of high quality ground water even at very low elevations.
The most extensive centralized water service area in Puna is the County's [91a' ] `Ola`a-
Mountain View system, composed of eleven service areas extending along the Highway 11 from
the former Puna Sugar Company mill to the [91' ] `Ola`a Reservation Lots, and along Highway
130 to Kaloli Drive. The County also maintains smaller water systems serving the Pdhoa and
Kalapana areas. The Hawaiian Beaches subdivision is served by a private system installed by
the developer. However, nearly all residents, including farmers, in other inhabited areas that are
not presently serviced by water systems depend upon catchment systems to supply their water
needs, including fire-fighting.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Water demand is likely to increase at a faster rate in lower Puna than in mauka areas
because it is experiencing greater population growth and has a drier climate. To reduce delivery
costs during dry periods, the aquifer at lower elevations, particularly in the presently
undeveloped Maku`u area, could be tapped as a future source of potable water development.
Therefore, it is important to maintain the water quality of that aquifer. One of the potential
threats is the cumulative impact of additional individual wastewater disposal systems, especially
cesspools, in the subdivisions that overlie the makai portion of the aquifer. As the aquifer
approaches the coast, it is more likely to be susceptible to pollution from individual wastewater
systems because of the relative proximity of groundwater to the surface. Close proximity of
groundwater to the surface reduces the amount of filtration that can occur before effluent reaches
the groundwater. The widespread distribution of individual wastewater systems and current
Department of Health regulations combine to limit the areas where municipal potable water
wells can be sited, despite the abundance of ground water.
The near-shore environment may also be affected because of reduced filtration. All of
Puna's coastal waters are classified as "AA" waters, meaning that they are regulated as the most
unspoiled in [Flawaii] Hawaii. State law mandates that Class AA waters "remain in their natural
pristine state as nearly as possible with an absolute minimum of pollution or alteration of water
quality from any human-caused source or actions."5 For this reason, wastewater disposal in the
coastal zone requires special precaution.
Polluted stormwater runoff is not a significant concern at present, although there are areas
in Puna - specifically, Volcano-to-Mountain View and Hawaiian Acres-to-Orchidland - where
stormwater has created persistent localized flooding problems in populated and agricultural
areas. This appears be attributable to land use alterations. Due to complex drainage patterns on
a lava landscape that lacks natural surface drainage systems, remedies for this problem would
have to be studied from a localized drainage management perspective.
2.3.1 Goals
a. Aquifers that could be used for future community wells in high growth lower elevation
areas are protected from pollution by untreated wastewater disposal systems.
b. Coastal waters maintain and increase their quality.
c. There is a strategy to address storm water runoff and localized flooding problems.
2.3.2 Objectives
a. Plan for future potable and irrigation water demand and preserve a contamination-free
zone in the portion of the aquifer in lower Puna for future development as a potable water
source.
b. Improve wastewater treatment methods and standards in areas designated for future
aquifer use and in coastal areas.
c. Address the special challenges of managing storm water runoff on Puna's lava terrain on
a watershed basis.
5 [iii] Hawaii Administrative Rules, Section 11-54
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MALAMA I KA `AINA
2.3.3 Actions
a. Encourage State legislation to prohibit the use of cesspools as a means for wastewater
disposal in areas below 1,000 feet Mean Sea Level, with the objective of protecting both
water quality in coastal areas, as well as in the aquifer, particularly the portion underlying
State-owned lands in the Maku`u area, where there is potential to develop the source for
community potable water wells and agricultural irrigation purposes.
b. Seek State Department of Health acceptance of small-footprint septic wastewater
treatment designs; for example, those using drip irrigation or low-pressure pipe and
double-tank no-leach field designs. Also, seek acceptance of small decentralized
treatment systems and clustered septic systems for wastewater treatment in village/town
centers, clustered residential development and other special circumstances.
c. Prepare watershed management plans for the Volcano-to-Mountain View and Hawaiian
Acres-to-Orchidland areas to address localized flooding problems.
d. By agency agreements and control of zoning and building permits, ensure that a corridor
of the Puna watershed at least two miles wide [betwee ] including the Wao Kele O Puna
forest area and [the oeea to the noft east] State lands mauka of Highway 130 between
the `Ainaloa subdivision and Pahoa is protected from uses that might contaminate
groundwater. [No wastewmeter-disehafge 4E)m eespools, -sepptie systems, or- sewagee
tfea4ment plants would be allowed within this eorridor-, nor- would disposal of stif
1ki ahupua'a) would be r-equif:ed to utilize eentralized sewage 4vatment plants anWof s
teontained piimped eptie systems order- to e the ,-;ty of the ' nu ,tvv'uw~
i. ]
e. In areas below 100 feet above Mean Sea Level, propose amendments to the applicable
laws, ordinances and regulations that require all black wastewater disposal systems to be
contained, pumpable units or be connected to a collective treatment facility. Explore the
use of Special Management Area regulations to require this as part of permits for new
development.
f. Based on the findings of the ongoing feasibility study for a wastewater treatment facility
to service the Kapoho Beach Lots/Vacationland Hawaii area, the County shall support
the funding of an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement for
such facility.
g. Promote tax credits to Kapoho residents who convert their existing cesspools into aerobic
treatment systems.
2.4 SHORELINE AREA
Land use development in Puna's shoreline area is vulnerable to significant physical risk
due to a couple of factors:
• The lack of reef protection for most of the Puna shoreline allows significant wave
energy to impact its coast and for noticeable shoreline overwash and retreat during
storms to be realized, even where the coastline consists of elevated bluffs. Current
Shoreline Setback (SLSB) rules and practices do not adequately take into account
these natural processes, nor do they protect development, natural resources or public
shoreline access.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
• The coastal areas of southeast Puna, as particularly evident in Kapoho, are subsiding
at varying rates, up to as much as 0.7 inches per year. Extrapolated over a 50-year
period - which is a reasonable lifespan for a house - the subsidence would be nearly
3 feet. As evidence of this phenomenon, many of the lots in the Kapoho area are
already submerged. Adding to the risk, the continuing subsidence allows periodic
storm waves to rush ever greater distances inland, depending on the slope and
exposure. Already within the Vacationland [Hawaii] Hawai`i subdivision, these
waves have been observed to reach back to at least the third row of houses and
parcels.
Current coastal flood zone maps are often not reflective of the dynamic changes that are
occurring in Puna, and the extent of actual wave wash hazard.
Figure 2-3: Shoreline Subsidence in Kapoho Area
Foreground shows lots that have submerged. Photo credit: G. Shiroma
Important coastal resources - biological, historical and access trails - are also at risk of
degradation or loss due to development and erosion. Traditionally, coastal trail alignments
moved inland as the shoreline retreated, but contemporary legal practice often leads to the loss of
2-11
MALAMA I KA `AINA
trail segments. Similarly, coastal vegetation naturally tracks inland with shoreline erosion,
unless the vegetation line is artificially maintained. Present Special Management Area (SMA)
rules and review practices do not adequately take these change factors into account. New
technologies in remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be applied as
tools to improve the evaluation of historical data.
2.4.1 Goals
a. Exposure of development to the risks of shoreline subsidence and coastal flooding is
reduced.
b. Shoreline biological, historical and cultural resources are adequately protected.
2.4.2 Objectives
a. Improve data collection and analysis related to present and historic changes in shoreline
conditions and resources.
b. Expand the scope of regulations and review procedures for shoreline development to
consider dynamic and interrelated potential hazards to development.
c. Strengthen the capacity of the County to identify important shoreline resources and
evaluate development regulations and proposed developments in the shoreline area.
d. Support actions consistent with the State of Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan.
2.4.3 Actions
a. Draw upon coastal zone and geological expertise and technological resources in State
agencies, the University of Hawaii, and the U.S. Geological Survey, as well as informed
public comment, to expand and improve the database, reference material and interpretive
skills at the County level for the review of shoreline area development proposals.
b. Retrieve and record information on trails and historic resources in the coastal zone,
including the research of old survey and plat maps and various records of the Mahele,
Land Commission and Royal Patents.
c. Conduct historical and biological surveys, either permit-by-permit or on a region-wide
basis, to improve the quality of decision-making on SMA and SLSB applications and
State Shoreline Certifications. [go not gr ] Recommend increased scrutiny of
applications for SMA permits to subdivide property when it is probable under current
trends and projections that it will be submerged at high tide within 100 years.
d. Take into account special subsidence and storm wave conditions found in Puna, as
identified by research and informed public comment, in the determination of State
Shoreline Certifications.
e. Perform a collaborative study among County, State, Federal and University regulators
and researchers to observe and delineate the limits of inland wave wash following each
large storm and extra high tide event, and use these studies, in addition to informed
public comment, to develop and implement refined flood zone maps.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
f. Develop and adopt special zoning and development regulations for the greater Kapoho
area (Kipu Point to Pu`ala`a) to take into account the problems associated with ongoing
and catastrophic subsidence and property loss, pressure to develop lots for residential and
commercial use, and increasing demand for access to the shoreline area for recreational
use. Request the State to make some of their Kapoho area accreted lands available for
integrated solutions, including relocation/land exchange and new recreational
opportunities.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Chapter 3
MANAGING GROWTH
Chapter 1 (Section 1.2) lists numerous reasons why unabated build-out of Puna's
subdivisions would have very negative, if not potentially disastrous, consequences. Puna
contains nearly 45% of the islands' total subdivided lots, a low build-out percentage, and the
highest growth rate, all on a landscape that is exposed to the highest risk of volcanic and seismic
activity. It would be prudent to reduce the risk to future residents and properties by
[tfansfefr-ifi ] discouraging development [rights] on vacant lots in high risk zones and
encouraging growth [to] at other, less hazardous locations elsewhere on the island.
Within Puna, the vision is to reshape the development pattern by moving away from the
sprawl effects of the existing subdivisions and toward the formation of village and town centers.
Over the long term, this will improve the feasibility of developing supporting infrastructure for
populated areas, give residents better access to public and commercial services, stimulate local
employment opportunities, and reduce dependence on the automobile for transportation. It will
also help preserve natural and cultural resources by limiting the spread of the development, as
noted in the previous chapter.
Some village and town centers already exist in the form of older settlements that were
built prior to the creation of the extensive subdivisions a few decades ago. There are
opportunities to create new village centers within existing subdivisions that are experiencing
higher rates of development, primarily on lands that had been set aside by the subdivider for
community or commercial purposes. [Tools ueh as "transfer- of development rights" (T'") an
"land pooling"] Innovative land use tools need to be employed to facilitate the development of
housing in the village centers in order to make them viable communities.
In addition, amendments to zoning maps and the [shot'a be reassessed and reels°a
gr-eatly r-eduee the subdivision potential of larger- undeveloped par-Eels throughout n,,,,,, T]
zoning code should be [revised to prevent iner-eased de site in a ndam fashion through the
`ahan dwelling an additional f fm dwelling " fmi* " ° reviewed to address these goals
and policies of Chapter 3, Managing Growth.
Land pooling may offer expanded opportunities for commercial agriculture in
subdivisions with small lots by creating larger parcels for agricultural production. While small
lots can be used by residents to produce food for their own consumption, larger lots tend to
support a wider range of commercially viable agriculture production because of economies of
scale, reduced potential for real or perceived nuisance effects on immediate residential
neighbors, and lower real estate values per square foot, when compared to small parcels.
While more than half of its land area is zoned for agriculture, and Puna is a center for
agricultural activity, current mapping systems present an unclear picture of the productivity
3-1
MANAGING GROWTH
potential of agricultural land in the district. There are three inconsistent mapping systems in
effect. The only system that has regulatory effect is Land Study Bureau (LSB) soil
classifications, which are referenced in the State Land Use Law, Chapter 205, [Ii] Hawaii
Revised Statutes. This system is more than four decades old and reflects a pattern of plantation
agricultural use that has dwindled to insignificance in Hawaii. There are no "A" or "B" lands in
the entire district of Puna, which implies incorrectly that.Puna's lands have lesser agricultural
value.
The State has not formally adopted a system to replace the LSB classifications, but the
State Department of Agriculture has prepared maps depicting Agricultural Lands of Importance
to the State of Hawaii (ALISH) that reflect more accurately than the LSB maps the value of
lands to support diversified agriculture. ALISH maps are therefore used more often than the LSB
maps when evaluating agricultural lands. The County's LUPAG adopted a similar, but not
identical, mapping system for areas deemed to be Important Agricultural Lands (IAL[..])_ While
there is some correspondence between the ALISH and IAL maps, there is by no means an exact
match (see Figure 3-1).
Figure 3-1: ALISH and IAL Lands in Puna
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
ALISH lands cover a total of approximately 75,596 acres in Puna, whereas IAL lands
cover only about 51,653 acres. Moreover, the omission of ALISH lands from the IAL
designation to create large "urban expansion" areas surrounding Kea`au and Pahoa when there is
still much unused development capacity in Puna's subdivisions is hard to justify. It would be
helpful to have a mapping system for agricultural lands that is relevant to Puna's agricultural
activities so that they can be adequately preserved and planned for future use.
The Puna Community Development Plan seeks to manage growth by: encouraging a
more efficient, environmentally sustainable land use pattern; reducing the number of and
rearranging previously-approved subdivision lots; requesting the County to change the zoning of
lots now inappropriately zoned for present and future use and growth; promoting agricultural use
and other "green" employment in the district; promoting the use of renewable energy; improving
the delivery of social services and housing assistance; and providing the necessary public
services, parks and recreation opportunities in a manner that supports community-building and
an improved quality of life.
3.1 LAND USE PATTERN
"Village centers" (or "town centers" for the larger settlements) are the model on which
Puna's future land use pattern will be based, redirecting Puna's extensive subdivisions from their
present course of sprawl development. Three types of village centers are proposed to provide
varying levels of services based on location, size, and functional attributes. Regional [village]
town centers are located at Puna's largest existing urban settlements - [Kea'a-u] Kea`au,
Hawaiian Paradise Park, and Pahoa - and are meant to provide a wide range of services and
amenities. [I] Kea`au and Pahoa already have a nucleus of region-serving facilities, so they
take on more of the characteristics of a town rather than a village. Community village centers
provide a more limited range of services in smaller existing urban settlements and subdivisions
that are experiencing the greatest rates of population growth. Community village centers are
projected for Volcano, Mountain View, Kurtistown, Hawaiian Paradise Park, and `Ainaloa.
Neighborhood village centers serve smaller or more remote communities with relatively small lot
sizes. Neighborhood village centers are projected for Glenwood, Orchidland Estates, Hawaiian
Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches, ] Nanawale Estates, Leilam Estates, and Kapoho.
The principal tools to reshape future land use in Puna include: (1) [T-DR to fe distribute
development r-ights of subdivision lots that af!e loeated in high hazafd zenes E)r- high value na
fists; M] land pooling to form village centers and grow town centers while preventing sprawl
development; [(3)] (2) adjustments to County and State tax codes to discourage land speculation
and provide tax relief for long-time homeowners and renters and to provide an incentive for
removing development rights from property; [(4)] (3) district-wide rezoning and tighter
restrictions on variances from subdivision standards to discourage further subdivision of
properties that are not within designated village/town centers; and [M] (41 amendments to the
County zoning code to discourage excessive lot clearance and speculative building practices.
3.1.1 Goals
a. Puna retains a rural character while it protects its native natural and cultural resources.
b. The quality of life improves and economic opportunity expands for Puna's residents.
3-3
MANAGING GROWTH
c. Services and community facilities are more accessible in village/town centers that are
distributed throughout the region, including the underserved subdivisions that have been
experiencing higher levels of development growth.
d. Exposure to high risk from natural hazards situations is reduced.
e. Inappropriate and disproportionate County zoning can be adjusted in order to maintain
and increase the quality of life and to preserve valued natural and cultural resources in the
district.
f. Native vegetation, coastal and historic resources are provided new forms of protection.
g. Reduced overall number of buildable lots in Puna.
h. Incentives, disincentives, regulations and other methods are used to diminish land
speculation in Puna.
3.1.2 Objectives
a. Implement tools for re-shaping the pattern of future development to prevent further
sprawl, such as land pooling [and tfaasfer- of development
b. Develop a typology for existing and proposed village/town centers, including criteria for
their location, scale, uses and design.
c. Enhance the role of existing and new village/town centers by allowing expanded
commercial uses, facilitating the development of farmers markets and community
gathering places, opportunities for special needs housing, and infrastructure to support
more compact development form and multi-modal travel.
d. Create new village/town centers as necessary, in or near presently underserved
subdivisions, beginning with those experiencing higher rates of population growth so
residents of those areas will have community activities and more convenient access to
services.
e. Target investments in public services and infrastructure to promote the development of
village/town centers and, secondarily, to serve the peripheral subdivision areas.
f. Limit the size of dwellings and accessory uses that are allowed in non-conforming,
agriculturally-zoned subdivisions to discourage excessive lot clearance and speculative
building practices.
g. Identify a supporting role for the County in land assembly for the formation of
village/town centers.
h. Explore additional methods to protect native species habitat and historic features from
development by use of economic incentives, development restrictions, and district-wide
rezoning.
i. Provide tax relief for properties whose development rights have been reduced through
conservation easements[, rights] and similar measures.
J. Explore innovative methods to reduce property speculation, such as elevated tax rates
associated with rapid resale, and/or district-wide rezoning.
k. Where possible, reduce density and build-out within the district by various means
including selective rezoning.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
3.1.3 Actions
b ] a. Provide County support for land use entitlements and land assembly for village center
formation and voluntary land pooling projects by:
[ '44eating zone" in the County zoning eede 4iat allows par-eels in a !and
pursuant pooling pfojeet to be treated as a joint use development eontaining a mix of u
to single to development plan;]
- Initiating a special use permit request or petition for a land use district boundary
amendment for uses that would require such designations under State law;
- Seeking an amendment to the State Land Use Law (Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised
Statutes) that would enable the adoption of special "rural town/village" standards for
locations meeting certain criteria in the State Agriculture District or State Rural
District, subject to a review and approval process that is simpler than the present
method of boundary amendment;
- Seeking State enabling legislation to allow County retention of lots that are in
foreclosure for delinquent real property tax payments rather than having them
auctioned for sale to the highest bidder, so that they can be used for relocation
purposes when other properties are acquired for future rights-of-way, public facilities,
land assembly related to village/town center development, or other objectives of the
community development plan; and
- Extending technical assistance and advice to a community-based land pooling
association concerning legal and financial aspects of land pooling as they relate to
County or State legal requirements and tax policies.
[E] b. Establish the following general classifications and locations for village and town centers
in Puna:
- Kea`au, Pahoa, and Hawaiian Paradise Park shall serve as Regional Town Centers to
provide a wide range of services for the Puna district;
- Community Village Centers shall provide a more limited range of services in smaller
existing urban settlements and in large subdivisions that are experiencing the greatest
rates of build-out; namely, at `Ainaloa, Kurtistown, Maku`u Homesteads, Mountain
View, two or more locations in Hawaiian Paradise Park, and at Volcano; and
- Neighborhood Village Centers shall be the smallest in scale and located in
underserved remote communities and in subdivisions with relatively small lot sizes
and significant rates of population growth.
Refer to Chapter 5 for more detailed implementation guidelines on this proposed action.
[d-.] c. Facilitate land use entitlements and other tools for the development of existing and future
village/town centers and special design districts by:
- [Appfovin ] Recommending approval of applications for commercial zoning or use
permits for existing commercial uses in designated village/town centers that do not
presently have appropriate entitlements, and for proposed uses at appropriate nearby
3-5
MANAGING GROWTH
locations, provided that the size and use of the expansion area conforms to the criteria
applicable to the type of village/town center at that location; and
[fig] Recommending denial of applications for zone changes for commercial or
light industrial use on sites that are not within designated village/town centers.
Refer to Chapter S,for more detailed implementation guidelines on this proposed action.
Figure 3-2: Proposed Town and Village Center Locations
i
vvF .-i
Y
Village Cenlctr,
~Ot11111L(i=il_ ~ ~E•l~hlJ C' =lur)C~
l-lllt3(e~0 li ~C[
- 101(-Nlllll n.l'~~;• .
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
[e-.1 d. Facilitate land use entitlements and financing for the development of new village/town
centers by:
- Creating a [eating zone" or- new imago/town eenteYs with e detef ined
development standards based on villageltown eenter t~pe that ean be applied to t
village/town center onee its location has been detefm ne regional town center plan
for each village/town area as prescribed in Section 5.2.1; and
- Providing loan guarantees or making grants to community associations or
partnerships for the development of necessary infrastructure for the village/town
center.
Refer to Chapter 5 for more detailed implementation guidelines on this proposed action.
[fl.] e. [Amend] Propose amendments to the zoning code and/or apply district-wide rezoning to
limit allowable building footprint on residential and agricultural-zoned lands, except for
sites designated as village/town centers or for land pooling projects.
[g.] f. Require County agencies to establish Level of Service standards for County infrastructure
and services and report periodically on the degree to which these standards are being met
in Puna and proposed steps towards meeting those standards, if they are not being
achieved.
[lam] g_ Urge the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to conform to the goals and
objectives of the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) with respect to the use and
development of its lands.
[i.] h. [l e€] Propose reduction of property tax assessments and payments to token amounts
for properties whose development rights have been removed or significantly and
permanently reduced by means of a conservation easement, [tfansfer- of development
rights,] land pooling or similar measure.
[j-] i. Conduct a study on the impacts from subdivision build-out based on predictions related
to: native ecosystems; potential potable water well sites; and flooding due to loss of
forest.
[lam] l [fie] Propose amendments to the current legal requirement that notice of pending
applications for special permits, variances and zoning changes be given to property
owners within a greater distance from the affected site than is now required by law.
3.2 AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Puna is primarily an agriculture district with high diversification of production. Even
with the demise of sugar cane production in Puna, agriculture remains a viable economic land
use, both for commercial export of products and for local consumption.
With the transition in recent decades from plantation-based agriculture to smaller-scale,
diversified agricultural operations, Puna faces several challenges. Below are those that the Puna
Community Development Plan attempts to address in some way:
• Rising land costs, especially within subdivisions where residential dwellings are the
principal use, make it difficult for new farmers to acquire land for a viable
agricultural operation.
3-7
MANAGING GROWTH
a
• Despite an abundance of vacant subdivision lots for residential use, agricultural-
zoned lands continue to be further subdivided, primarily through a variance process
from the provision in the subdivision code that requires a water system (sec. 23-84)
and with variances from County-standard roads. Allowing a proliferation of such
subdivisions creates more lots with poor infrastructure and adds residential growth in
areas that already have more lots than can be served. Such subdivisions should be
limited in scale.
• Many areas formerly in sugar cane production and highly suitable for diversified
crops are not available for small farming operations.
• While Puna's high rainfall generally supplies agricultural needs through economical
catchment, during dry spells growers need other water sources. Even if the lot is
within a County water service area, there is inadequate capacity to provide for
agricultural uses because the County lines are designed for domestic use only.
• Small-scale, independent operations face several additional challenges: (1) finding
efficient, cost-effective ways to get products to market, whether for export or local
consumption; (2) acquiring and maintaining specialized equipment, facilities, and
other infrastructure; (3) providing security to prevent pilferage of products; (4)
securing labor assistance at the times when needed.
There are opportunities, as well as challenges, for the growth of economic activity in
Puna:
• Agricultural tourism is emerging as part of a mix of attractions that draw visitors to
Puna. With the rebirth of native Hawaiian culture and new appreciation for nature,
Puna has established itself as a premier natural and cultural attraction, with [Hari]
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as a main draw. Eco-tourism generates income by
providing community-based services to visitors of natural and cultural sites in a way
that protects and nurtures the natural and cultural systems, in a manner that is
economically sustainable.
• Given Puna's combination of resources and geographic location, new employment
can be generated in other "green" industries, such as alternative energy research and
development and natural resources management.
• The development of village/town centers, as described in Section 3. 1, will create new
local employment opportunities and provide farmers with new local market venues
for their products.
These challenges and opportunities are addressed in the following goals, objectives and
actions.
3.2.1 Goals
a. Lands for agricultural use are preserved.
b. Quality agricultural land is dedicated to agricultural use in perpetuity.
c. Opportunities for diversified agriculture increase.
d. Puna's agricultural production emphasizes environmentally-friendly methods.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
e. Puna agricultural products represent an increasing local market share.
f. There are more agriculture-related employment training and local job opportunities for
youth.
g. Local job growth is primarily in "green" industries such as agriculture, alternative energy,
communications technology, eco-tourism and natural resources management.
3.2.2 Objectives
a. Discourage urban growth and further subdivision on lands that have been identified as
having potential value for agricultural use through appropriate zoning re-designations and
new code provisions.
b. Create larger lots for agricultural use in existing small-lot subdivisions through land
pooling and other methods.
n, ° unused agFieultur-al lands t ate oppoi4tinities for- ,f operations.
-d-.] c. Discourage real estate speculation on agriculturally-zoned lands.
[e-.] d. Provide County tax incentives to promote and preserve agricultural use of lands that are
currently or historically in agricultural use.
[f-.] e. Provide sites and infrastructure for farmers markets at County parks and proposed
village/town centers.
[g-.] f. Form partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions to advance education
and training in two sectors:
- `Green' sector, to include agriculture, alternative energy, resource recycling and
recovery, and other related areas; and
- The information technology sector.
[1r.] g Support agricultural tourism with emphasis on events such as orchid celebrations, papaya
festivals, locally-produced food festivals (i.e., "Taste of Puna"[.]).
[_17] h. Promote farm business such as local food stores and "farm stay" bed and breakfasts.
These can be coupled with youth training programs for low income youth.
i. Provide infrastructure support for youth education and job training in the technology and
agricultural sectors.
[lam] L. Protect quality agricultural lands, especially fallow agricultural lands, through [per
] community land [tfus+, and p ;d° long leases
community ] trusts or with tax incentives for farmers.
[h] k. Create new "green" employment opportunities in the agricultural, alternative energy, and
natural resources management in Puna.
3.2.3 Actions
a. [wit] Recommend limiting variances that allow subdivisions that rely on water
catchment or roads that do not meet subdivision road standards to a maximum of six lots,
unless the subdivision results in lots averaging at least twenty acres in size[] or
averaging at least four times the minimum lot size allowed by zoning, up to an absolute
limit of twenty lots. [There shat be no f,rther- , es to pefmi+ subdivision of lots
reated by suet ^fflae ] Where lots were created by previous [ ]
3-9
MANAGING GROWTH
water catchment and/or road variances, and the variance provided that further variances
should not be allowed, enforce those provisions by denying further variances on such
lots.
b. [Dewnzon ] Recommend reviewing the rezoning of all Agricultural (A) zoned parcels in
the State Agricultural District in Puna to a zoning that would be consistent with the goals
and policies of the Puna Community Development Plan. [asp
r ots of 100 aeres more to n 20, .
r ots of 50 0 more but loss than inn aer-es to n 15a
r ots of 5 aeres or e but loss than 50 aer-es to designation tha4 would allow no
fner-e than a two lot subdivision; and
-Let o€less htan 5 cats to A 5a.]
c. [Res] Recommend reviewing the Urban Expansion Area designations in the County
of Hawaii General Plan LUPAG, except where they correspond to the recommended
[Villag ] Regional Town Center and industrial boundaries [for ea'au- and Pdhoa,
ilhistr-ated in Chapter- 5].
d. Seek State legislation to impose a higher conveyance tax rate and/or capital gains taxes
on Puna properties that are re-sold within a short period, with exceptions for properties
providing affordable housing.
e. Seek State legislation to allow the County to hold onto properties that are in foreclosure
due to property taxes in arrears rather than immediately auctioning them to the highest
bidder in order to:
- Discourage speculative re-sale and/or building;
- Allow the use of these properties in land pooling projects in nonconforming
subdivision that would create larger lots committed to agricultural use;
- Protect unknown natural and cultural sites or features;
- [€ef] Provide educational programs for agriculture, forestry and natural resources
management; and
- [gin] Support community land trusts and land exchanges.
f. Provide land and infrastructure for farmers' markets within village/town centers.
g. Seek State legislation or rule-making to allow local agricultural producers to make direct
sales to consumers at County-designated farmers markets at the 0.5% general excise tax
rate rather than the 4.0% rate that applies to retail sales.
h. Develop an agri/eco-tourism policy, including necessary zoning legislation. Provide
County assistance and support for agri-tourism, emphasizing and prioritizing off-farm
agri-tourism opportunities such as farmers markets, special events; restaurants
specializing in local food products; and fusion of local agricultural products with cultural
and arts events in Puna. As a second priority, the agri/eco-tourism policy would promote
on-farm opportunities, but only where infrastructure exists, and not in private
subdivisions with private roads.
i. Develop business incubator districts in Kea`au, Pahoa and Mountain View where small
businesses can, for a start-up period of two to three years, occupy spaces at subsidized
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
rent, share receptionist and other common support services and facilities, and have access
to business mentoring, marketing skills training, and product promotion programs.
j. Promote use of the incentives offered by the designation of an Enterprise Zone within
Puna to attract businesses to establish in the area and employ Puna residents.
k. Support the partnership of the [Hawaf] Hawaii Community College (HCC) and The Bay
Clinic to establish a youth business center in Kea`au to develop entrepreneurial spirit in
youth, increase employment options and job readiness, and increase college enrollment,
with a focus on technology skills.
1. Support the development of a community-based organic farming operation and training
facility in or near Puna, in cooperation with the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo)
and HCC.
in. Develop job opportunities in Puna in renewable energy generation, especially solar power
installations, but also bio-fuel crops and direct-use geothermal applications.
n. Conduct a study to define and identify important agricultural lands in Puna, recognizing
the district's unique soil and climate conditions and opportunities for diversified
agricultural enterprises.
[e. GFea4e a fund to pufehase or- r-eeeive identified important agr-ieultur-al lands and f4eilitat-e
the feffna4ion of a conuntinity land tfust to manage those lands and leasing them fo
p ] o. Create a real property tax exemption (perhaps 4 to 6 years) for farmers entitled to Federal
crop loss insurance.
[q-.] p. Encourage organic farming and gardening by establishing a Puna agriculture scholarship
with HCC and UH Hilo.
3.3 SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING
Social services include not only programs to provide assistance to special needs
populations, but also health and medical facilities to serve the entire community. "Medical
facilities", in this instance, does not apply to County emergency paramedical services, which are
covered in the following Section 3.4. With a growing population, Puna clearly needs more social
and health care services within the district. Yet, there are two major challenges to making them
accessible to residents:
• As a rural area with a rudimentary transportation system and dispersed population, it
is difficult for residents in need to reach the services; and
• Puna's high percentage of low-income residents tends to increase the need for social
services, yet discourages private health care providers from locating in Puna due to
insurance issues.
Schools are also an important social resource, serving not only as educational institutions,
but also as de facto community centers and recreation areas in rural areas where few other
venues are available for meetings, events and organized or informal sports. Unfortunately,
current policies of the Department of Education (DOE) do not favor smaller schools at dispersed
locations, which would enable them to be more conveniently accessed by walking, bicycling, or
at least a shorter vehicle trip. Also, the availability of school facilities after hours for community
3-11
MANAGING GROWTH
activities varies at the discretion of the school principal. Although County influence over public
education and school facilities is quite limited, the Puna Community Development Plan can try
to influence changes in DOE policies to better integrate schools within the fabric of Puna's
communities.
As mentioned above, Puna has a high percentage of lower-income residents, and the
district is regarded as place of opportunity for affordable housing. The subdivision lots offer
some of the lowest-price sites in Hawaii for owner-built housing. Approximately 85 percent of
the island's Section 8 low-income rental housing certificate holders are Puna residents.
Nevertheless, there are still many residents without adequate housing, and opportunities for
retaining and expanding the stock of affordable housing are narrowing as land values rise in
Puna and government housing subsidies shrink. New approaches are needed to respond to this
challenge, such as stimulating the development of multi-family, self-help, and congregate
housing.
3.3.1 Goals
a. Puna residents have improved access to emergency and primary medical care and
preventive public health programs.
b. Substance abuse, domestic violence and other social problems are reduced.
c. Puna residents have increased access to assistance programs to develop, repair or rent
affordable housing.
d. Programs are available to assist those seeking housing in Puna.
e. Public education is better integrated into Puna's communities.
3.3.2 Objectives
a. Seek additional locations for medical/substance abuse/senior home care treatment
facilities in both lower and upper Puna.
b. Provide effective and readily accessible substance abuse treatment and prevention
services within Puna.
c. Provide transitional shelter and programs to assist homeless Puna residents in moving
toward self-sufficient status.
d. Support initiatives by DHHL to develop appropriate projects for housing and job
opportunities for Native Hawaiians in Puna.
e. Increase the availability of accessible and affordable housing through self-help programs,
government assistance and innovative housing tenure arrangements, such as co-housing,
limited equity cooperatives, and community land trusts.
f. Increase opportunity for community involvement in public education.
g. Urge the State to locate its community facilities, such as public schools, in designated
village/town centers, and to design them in conformance to the criteria applicable to the
type of village/town center at that location.
h. College level classes and vocational training opportunities should be provided in the Puna
district in order to make post high school education more accessible to Puna residents and
to help create a more highly-trained and skilled local workforce for emerging industries
and commerce.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN -
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
3.3.3 Actions
a. Develop a centrally-located, 24-hour, full-service medical facility, with trauma care, in
Puna. Establish multiple clinic level facilities offering primary medical and dental
services in village centers in Upper and Lower Puna. Expand existing County-funded
transportation services to carry people from subdivisions to medical facilities.
b. Establish "one-stop centers" at Pahoa, Kea`au, Volcano, Mt. View, Hawaiian Paradise
Park and Kurtistown to provide referrals, support and advocacy related to the following
issues:
- Substance abuse treatment and prevention;
- Assistance for housing, special needs housing, homeless persons, and community
development;
- Teen pregnancy preventionibirth control;
- Child care and elder care options;
- Transportation and service coordination;
- Employment;
- Serving clients with disabilities;
- Domestic violence screening/abatement/prevention;
- Access to medical services and complementary health services, including nursing
programs for homebound clients; and
- Access to clean water and education on catchment water.
c. Build partnerships between the County and non-profit organizations to increase the range
of social services and economic development opportunities.
d. Seek State enabling legislation to allow homeowners and organizations such as Habitat
for Humanity to do their own plumbing and electrical work on modest-sized dwellings in
order to lower self-help housing construction costs.
e. Offer educational programs, through the County Office of Housing and Community
Development, to develop financial skills of renters who seek opportunities for home
ownership, and to develop awareness of effective rental strategies for owners and tenants.
f. Sponsor, through the County Office of Housing and Community Development, programs
to increase homeownership opportunities, such as the Home Investment Partnerships
Program for mutual self-help housing development and limited-equity cooperatives.
g. Promote multi-family housing - especially for those with special needs, such as the
elderly - in designated regional or community village/town centers.
[ > for the
repair and renovation of existing heii-k.b.
-i ] h. [Afnend] Propose amendments to building codes to allow occupancy of residential
[ding] dwellings before final inspection and to facilitate bringing non-conforming
structures up to the code effective at the time of their initial construction.
i. Urge the State to increase local control over public schools in Puna by measures such as:
3-13
MANAGING GROWTH
- Changing the structure of school boards to provide greater local representation and
decision-making;
Changing Department of Education (DOE) policy to allow smaller schools at more
dispersed locations; and/or
Removing the cap on the formation of new charter schools.
See, also, Section 3. S, Action c, calling for community access to school facilities.
j. Urge the State to establish a Hawaii Community College/UH-Hilo satellite campus in
Puna.
3.4 PUBLIC SAFETY AND SANITATION SERVICES
Public safety and sanitation services in Puna have needed to adapt to the widely dispersed
settlement pattern in the district and poor road conditions in most of the subdivisions. It is
neither cost-efficient nor practical for the County to provide a sufficient number of police, fire
and paramedical facilities with associated staffing and equipment to provide coverage to all
populated areas with the response times that are typical of urban or most suburban areas.
Therefore, County services are supplemented with community policing programs and volunteer
fire stations, usually with at least some degree of County assistance in the form of training,
equipment and/or personnel.
While police and fire stations are essential community facilities, they do not necessarily
need to be located directly within town or village centers. The most important criterion for
locating these facilities is the response time to respond to emergencies within the service area.
Consequently, direct access to a major highway is an advantage. At present, the police and fire
stations at Pahoa and Kea`au are near the center of town, although the County is planning to
replace these with facilities that are slightly outside of town on sites with direct highway access.
As noted earlier, there are no public wastewater treatment systems in Puna. Similarly,
there is no municipal house-to-house solid waste collection service. The County provides solid
waste transfer stations located in Pahoa, Glenwood, Volcano, Kalapana, and Kea`au. Until
recently, all solid waste was disposed in landfills. Following previous upgrades to the Kea`au
solid waste transfer station the County upgraded the Pahoa, Glenwood, and Volcano facilities in
late 2007 to support recycling, including an improved redemption center for bottles and cans,
collection bins for scrap metal, mixed recyclables, and green waste.
Adaptive strategies to improve public safety and sanitation services will need to evolve as
Puna's population grows and the land use pattern is gradually reshaped into the village/town
center model.
3.4.1 Goals
a. All residents have an equitable level of service access to police, fire, and paramedical
services.
b. Free wireless internet is available district-wide.
c. Infrastructure investments facilitate the growth management strategy described in Section
3.1.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
3.4.2 Objectives
a. Provide additional locations for emergency services to reduce the response time to a
larger percentage of residents.
b. Improve and broaden communications access for a larger number of residents.
3.4.3 Actions
a. Develop permanent fire stations at Hawaiian Beaches/Shores, Hawaiian Paradise Park,
lower Volcano, and Mountain View, with emergency paramedical services.
See, also, Section 3.3.3 Action a, relating to emergency medical facilities.
b. Provide additional volunteer fire stations and expanded programs for training community
emergency/readiness volunteers in all large subdivisions as suitable sites become
available and the growth in the subdivision warrants.
c. [Pr-evid ] Promote free wireless internet services to Puna's subdivisions, starting with
those that lack cable service.
Refer to Section 4. ].for related discussion and Action c.
d. Provide more emergency call boxes along State highways.
e. Encourage enhancement of cell phone service to expand coverage to more remote areas.
f. Boost the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) recycling budget to
develop an economy and to create more jobs related to recycling.
[g. Relocate the Kea'au and Pdhoa solid waste transfer- stations to sites ffier-e suitable to sei=~,e
the major populated afeas tha4 they were intended to senre.
dr] g. Increase County resources to handle the abandoned/derelict car removal program.
h. Provide public financial support for the development of utility and potable water
connections, and wastewater treatment facilities, within approved village/town centers
where they are desired by residents or needed to support planned and approved
development.
3.5 PARKS AND RECREATION
Puna contains most of [14awai-i] Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is the premier
nature park in the Islands. Added to the inventory of nature parks are the State-owned:
MacKenzie State Recreation Area (13.1 acres), located between Pohoiki and [Opihikae]
`Opihikao at the edge of the Malama-Ki Forest Reserve; and Lava Tree State Monument (17.1
acres), located near the junction of Kapoho-[bale] Pahoa Road and Pohoiki Road. There is also
a 78.3-acre undeveloped State parcel located adjacent to Honolulu Landing along the Puna Coast
Road between Kapoho and Hawaiian Shores subdivision that at one time had been provided to
the County of Hawaii by the State through Executive Order for development as a park.
The County owns smaller shoreline parks: two undeveloped sites within Hawaiian
Paradise Park; Isaac Kepo`okalani Hale Beach Park, located adjacent to Pohoiki Bay; and the
nearby Ahalanui Park site, which was purchased in 1993 to replace the two former parks (Kaimu
Beach Park and Harry K. Brown Park) that were destroyed by lava flows.
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MANAGING GROWTH
There are few community parks in the district for active recreation. The largest public
facilities are the County's Shipman Park in Kea`au and Pahoa Park, which includes a pool and a
neighborhood center for meetings, programs and indoor recreational activities. The County
maintains a gymnasium at Mountain View, outdoor basketball courts at Kurtistown and
Hawaiian Beaches, and tennis courts at Kurtistown and Kea`au.
The Department of Education maintains recreational facilities at their schools in Kea`au
and Pahoa and Mountain View, but these are primarily for use by students and not always
available for general community use.
There are also some recreational facilities that are owned and maintained by community
associations. Some of the subdivisions contain undeveloped parcels that have been set aside for
future community use, including parks. However, funds have not been available to develop
significant facilities on them, either from private or public sources.
Puna will clearly need to expand its parks and recreation facilities as the population
grows. There is a particular need to develop community parks in underserved large subdivisions,
such as Hawaiian Paradise Park, where development is occurring at a relatively fast pace.
3.5.1 Goals
a. Puna offers a variety of public recreational areas, reflecting the beauty and diversity of
the natural setting, and recreational programs for people of all ages and physical abilities
that are not currently available.
b. There is an equitable dispersal of parks and recreation facilities readily accessible to most
Puna residents.
c. The development of future parks supports the growth management goals, objectives and
actions set forth in Section 3.1 of this plan.
3.5.2 Objectives
a. Adopt the following classification for expansion and improvement of parks in Puna:
- Camp Ground: An area with potable water and restroom facilities for overnight tent
camping, which may be available on a permit or fee-for-service basis.
- Coastal Activity Area: A shoreline recreational area that is accessed by a park or a
public easement
- Community Park: A recreational park or facility intended to be used primarily by
residents of the area that is owned and maintained by the County or by a private entity
with unrestricted public access.
- Linear Park: A recreational, non-motorized pathway (except motorized wheelchairs),
which may be inter-connected or within a right-of-way of an existing or new
roadway, and is separated from travel lanes and adjacent properties by a landscaped
buffer, with occasional rest stops or viewing spots.
- Preserve: A site with features of significant natural or historic value that provides
minimal facilities for public visitation, such as interpretive signage, a walking trail
and small parking area, and is maintained by a stewardship program.
3-16
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
3
b. Encourage the collocation of schools, parks and senior centers to promote interactivity
between community members of all ages.
c. Identify lands to be used for parks in connection with subdivision interconnectivity.
3.5.3 Actions
a. Consider expanding the Camp Ground at MacKenzie State Park to include public
property south of MacKenzie.
b. Improve and expand Coastal Activity Areas as follows:
- At Ahalanui Beach Park: (1) accessibility improvements; (2) screened changing area
next to showers designed to blend with natural surroundings; (3) repairs to parking lot
surface; and (4) added picnic tables.
- Consider hand-developed modifications to the tidepools east of Pohoiki Bay beyond
the area known as "Shacks" for use as "keiki pools", but retain traditional fish-netting
use.
- Pursue development of a camp ground and/or ocean recreation park with potential
boat launch ramp and marina facilities on State-owned accreted land at Cape
Kumukahi, provided that Hawaiian burial sites are adequately protected and
respected.
- Consider acquisition and development of Honolulu Landing, Kapoho Crater (Green
Lake) and Sand Hill.
- Develop support facilities for the use of the State-owned park at Kehena Beach.
- Encourage the development of a hiking and coastal trail and camp system to provide
for pedestrian recreational opportunities.
c. Improve and expand Community Parks as follows:
- Develop new Community Parks in:
• Hawaiian Acres, at three sites approximately 1) near the mauka terminus of
Orchidland Drive, 2) between 6th and 7th Roads and D and F Roads, and 3) near
Fern Acres at the mauka end of E Road;
• The North Kulam Road area, between Ihope and Huina Roads;
• Glenwood, on makki side of South Glenwood Road;
• ['lam] Nandwale Estates subdivision;
• Leilani Estates subdivision;
• Orchidland Estates subdivision; and
• The mauka portion of Hawaiian Beaches subdivision.
- Pahoa Regional Park: (1) Convert the existing fire station into a one-stop community
center providing, but not limited to, a senior center with certified kitchen for
congregate meals program and activities/dining room, linkages, and advocacy
for affordable housing, employment, home bound access, child care, teen pregnancy,
substance abuse and domestic violence intervention; (2) Repair pump and provide
solar heating system and heat-retaining cover for swimming pool; (3) Provide art
center and covered performance stage; (4) Provide children's museum and
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MANAGING GROWTH
playground; (5) Develop skateboard park; (6) Provide sheltered picnic areas; (7)
Build loop access road to lessen traffic on Pahoa main street; and (8) Provide lighted
parking areas and walking paths linked to Pahoa village center.
- Shipman (Kea`au) Regional Park: (1) Interior fencing and re-arranging parking layout
to reduce safety hazard to children chasing balls; (2) More shade, seating, and picnic
tables for attendees at games and events; (3) Large pavilion for team and family
activities; (4) Additional fields for football and baseball; and (5) Additional lighting
and restrooms. Develop new gym at Shipman Regional Park or acquire the National
Guard Armory for this use.
- Develop a new District Park on a 20-acre parcel owned by Hawaiian Paradise Park
Owners' Association at 16th Avenue and Maku`u Drive. Improvements would
include a swimming pool, a gym, field complex and community center.
- Develop recreational programs to complement use of Cooper Center and Volcano
Community Park in partnership with the Volcano Community Association.
- Provide accessibility, playground and other improvements at Mountain View
Community Park and A. J. Watt Gym.
- Expand hours of operation and night lighting for some outdoor activities at regional
and larger community parks to serve working adults and young retirees.
- Develop a new senior center in Mountain View with a certified kitchen for a
congregate meals program, room for activities and dining, restrooms, and van vehicle
and staff.
- Provide in each village center a recreational park and village green that is scaled and
designed to fit the needs of the community that the village center serves.
- To supplement Community Parks, make recreation facilities and meeting rooms at
public schools available for community use after school hours, whether through direct
requests from a community representative to a school principal or a formal standing
agreement between the County and the Department of Education.
- Create small parks as part of right-of-way acquisition for new connecting road
segments between subdivisions (see Section 4.3[.]). This may consist of lot remnants
that are not needed for the right-of-way.
d. Create and improve Linear Parks as follows:
- When acquiring rights-of-way for constructing new roadways or improving existing
major roadways, make provisions for parallel multi-use recreational trails with
appropriate landscaped buffers on either side and provide connections to other such
existing or planned trails, to the extent possible.
- Complete development of Old Volcano Trail as a pedestrian and bicycle pathway.
- Acquire the former railroad right-of-way from Kapoho through Hawaiian Paradise
Park and develop it for hiking, bicycling and horse-back riding.
- Plan for the acquisition and development of the former railroad right-of-way from
Hawaiian Paradise Park to Railroad Avenue in Hilo for bicycle, pedestrian and horse-
back riding, provided that measures are taken to protect agricultural uses of adjoining
lands.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
- Plan for public access along Old Government Road (coastal trail) as a bicycle and
hiking trail with a natural and cultural resource interpretive program.
e. Create and improve Preserves as follows:
- For designated preserves, assess the appropriate level of site visitor usage and
implement self-guided or steward-led interpretative tours through the site.
- Improve conditions at Wai`opae Tidepools and the Marine Conservation District by:
(1) Offering tax credits to nearby private landowners as incentive to convert existing
cesspools, where they exist, to septic tanks with a pump-out system; (2) Providing
public sanitary facilities, including a toilet and trash receptacle; (3) Providing off-
street parking that does not encroach into private lands; and (4) Providing permanent
public access.
- Consider acquiring Green Lake and adjacent land for native plant/habitat restoration
and a nature center with activities and interpretive programs for school-aged students
and the general public.
- Consider hiking trails through Nanawale Forest Reserve, provided that
areas with intact native forest are adequately protected.
- Pursue development of a passive cultural resources and ethno-botanical park in
Hawaiian Paradise Park, to include the rock wall, native and introduced plants and
exceptional trees.
3.6 ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY
Puna's energy demand continues to rise because of rapidly increasing residential
development. The cost of installing and maintaining the electrical grid is very high because of
weather, vegetation, and the relatively great distances from house-to-house.
Many people live "off-the-grid"; that is, where dwellings, particularly in more remote
locations, are not connected to the electrical power service provided by the local utility company,
Hawaiian Electric Light Company (HELCO). While many residences remain unconnected to the
power grid, some choose to connect to the grid to supply at least a portion of their power needs
or to provide back-up power. Solar power is cost-competitive with electricity provided by the
utility company, so this [is] appears to be the most promising renewable source of power at
present, especially when combined with the tax incentives for the installation of alternative
energy devices and direct assistance to reach the lower-income homeowners or renters who
could most significantly benefit from lower utility costs. The County can also play a direct role
in the use of alternative energy and promotion of energy conservation by incorporating these
features into the design of public improvements and by amending building codes.
There are two power generation facilities in Puna. HELCO's Puna Steam Plant and the
geothermal power generation source at Kapoho operated by Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV). It
is unlikely that large-scale expansion of geothermal power generation within the eastern rift zone
of Puna will occur within the time horizon of the Puna Community Development Plan. On the
other hand, there is potential to capture excess heat for direct use in agricultural applications, if
the PGV plant undergoes a modest pending expansion.
3-19
MANAGING GROWTH
3.6.1 Goals
a. Puna has made significant progress towards achieving energy self-sufficiency by 2020.
b. A significant percentage of Puna households continue to live completely or partially off
the electrical power grid.
c. Puna lowers its dependence on fossil fuel as an energy source, becoming a demonstration
area for alternative sources, systems and fuels.
d. There are incentives for the use of renewable energy sources.
3.6.2 Objectives
a. Promote use of solar technologies, such as solar water heaters and photovoltaic power
systems.
b. Employ energy-efficient design standards for public building and residential
development, including ventilation and cooling.
c. Recognize, when establishing regulatory standards, that while energy efficiency yields
long-term cost savings for low-income households, it may impose added initial
construction cost on housing. Accordingly, reduced property tax assessments for self-
powered homes and businesses should be implemented.
3.6.3 Actions
a. Apply Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for public
buildings, with a minimum goal of silver level.
b. Investigate the use of ground-water cooling systems for public buildings.
c. [ire] Promote energy efficiency standards for larger residences. Applicable
standards might include better insulation for the outer walls, low-emissivity windows and
doors, reduction of roof heat gain, and use of energy-efficient appliances.
d. Incorporate energy-efficient features into the construction of lower-cost homes with the
use of public subsidies.
e. Establish a Renewable Energy Research & Development fund with University of Hawaii
at Hilo.
f. Apply the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fund to incentives to homeowners
and landlords to retrofit dwellings for alternative energy devices and systems, using a
sliding scale to provide greater subsidies to low-income households. The County may
augment this with matching grants and low-interest loans.
g. Negotiate a direct use of geothermal agreement for agricultural uses as part of any
expansion of the capacity of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant.
h. Promote biomass energy and fuel production using wood chips from exotic trees.
i. Pursue the development of new renewable energy sources such as Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion (OTEC), wave-energy generation and solar energy capture as the technology
advances to make an investment in such a demonstration and production facility in Puna
feasible.
- To facilitate this, pursue an ocean energy subzone or enterprise zone designation for a
section of coastal land in Puna, preferably on State land, in order to encourage
research and production of ocean-based alternative energy systems and facilities.
3-20
PUNA COINIUNITY DEVELOPPIENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
- In addition to energy generation, cold water aquaculture and agricultural processing
should be encouraged and accommodated: including refrigerated warehouse and
processing facilities, hot-water treatment of agricultural products, and agricultural
product washing and packing facilities.
Figure 3-3: Overview of Parks and Natural Area Network in Puna
Imfxxtant Agricultural Lauds OAL) and Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISN)
Proposed Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone Nalnral Area Reserve
Forest Reserve National Park
x
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nip (or,idurs
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MANAGING GROWTH
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Chapter
TRANSPORTATION
Sprawl development is increasingly evident in the travel patterns of Puna residents. At
present, most of Puna's workforce commutes by personal vehicle to employment locations
outside of the district, primarily to Hilo. Residents also make frequent trips to Hilo for shopping
and services. About a quarter of the workforce carpools, but congestion is growing along Puna's
principal corridors during peak commute periods.
State highways are the primary transportation routes. Highway 11 between Kurtistown
and Hilo and Highway 130 between Pahoa and Kea`au carry the greatest amount of traffic during
peak commuting periods. Most roads in Puna's nonconforming subdivisions are privately
owned, often in poor physical condition and not designed for through traffic. There are many
missing connections between the road networks of adjacent subdivisions. The present
circulation network, combined with the district's sprawl development pattern, results in a number
of problems:
• There is a lack of alternative routes for emergency access, especially when highways
are blocked by a traffic crash or downed utility pole, or when there is a natural
disaster such as a hurricane, tsunami, lava flow or earthquake that requires
evacuation;
• Highways become more congested during peak periods due to the lack of alternative
roadways;
• Highway intersections with substandard private streets are dangerous due to
inadequate lighting or intersection controls, combined with high traffic speed along
the highway;
• It is difficult for the County's Mass Transit Agency (MTA) to operate an efficient
Hele-On Bus service that offers a viable travel option for a large number of Puna
residents, especially those in more remote areas;
• There are few facilities for walking or bicycling, even in more built-up areas; and
• It can be life-threatening to cross Highways 130 and 11 on foot. This is particularly
true for youth, the elderly and the disabled.
The Puna Community Development Plan seeks to promote more efficient and
environmentally responsible travel by limiting demand for commuting and other trips; promoting
mass transit and alternative travel modes; and providing alternate routes to reduce trip lengths
and travel time.
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TRANSPORTATION
4.1 TRAFFIC DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The long-term remedy for the problem of commuter traffic is to transform the pattern of
land use and economic activity to reduce the travel demand to Hilo and other destinations
beyond Puna. Making this shift is a key goal of the Puna Community Development Plan.
Shorter-term relief from the crush of commuting traffic can be achieved by diverting some of
this travel to mass transit and ride-sharing or by reducing peak period traffic volumes via
telecommuting and staggered work hours.
Communications technology can do much to reduce the need to travel, particularly in
rural areas like Puna. For example, the provision of free wireless access to the Internet can
enable more home occupations, provide back-up for emergency and everyday communications,
and expand the spectrum of quality life experiences for Puna residents. County, State and/or
Federal expenditures to provide free wireless access are justifiable as a means to avoid or defer at
least some of the cost and environmental impact of making very expensive and extensive
improvements to Puna's deficient roadway network.
4.1.1 Goals
a. The percentage of single-occupancy vehicles during peak commute periods is reduced.
b. The percentage of residents who commute to employment or travel for services outside of
Puna is reduced.
c. Reliance on fossil fuels for transportation is reduced.
4.1.2 Objectives
a. Promote ride-sharing, van-pools, and car-pooling.
b. Expand telecommuting opportunities.
c. Provide more services and employment within Puna's village and town centers.
d. Create new employment opportunities in Puna in order to reduce long commuting.
4.1.3 Actions
a. Promote van pool and ride-sharing alternatives more actively by working through major
employers and large institutions such as UH Hilo and HCC, which can offer incentives
such as preferential parking for ride-share vehicles.
b. Promote staggered work hours and telecommuting with major employers and institutions
as a means to reduce peak period traffic, focusing on the following:
- Researching and implementing telecommuting and staggered work hours for County
and State employees; and
- Researching feasibility of starting UH Hilo classes no earlier than 9:30 a.m.
c. Facilitate telecommuting by developing a wireless communications network that enables
most Puna residents to gain free access to the Internet.
Refer to related Action c in Section 3.4.
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
4.2 MASS TRANSIT
Poor road conditions, combined with incomplete connectivity in the street system and a
dispersed pattern of development, make it challenging to devise and sustain a viable mass transit
system for Puna. The County's Hele-On bus operates a Hilo-Pahoa route along Highway 130
five times a day, and a Hilo-[Ka-u] Ka`u route along Highway 11 once a day. These are long,
circuitous routes that, while providing reasonably good coverage to more remote areas, also
[results] result in high operating costs and lengthy trip time [that_ disco urao°s], which discourage
ridership. While the 2000 Census indicated that less than 1% of Puna's workforce commuted by
bus, ridership more than doubled after the County initiated a free fare service between Pahoa and
Hilo in 2005. This demonstrated the potential demand for transit service that could be expanded
with other improvements and initiatives, such as more convenient routes and schedules, marked
stops, park and ride facilities, transit centers, and marketing programs.
The County Mass Transit Agency (MTA) is currently planning significant system
improvements by converting to a "hub-and-spoke" system, consisting of the following elements:
• Large Hele-On coaches operating frequent runs on a shorter route between Hilo and a
primary Puna "hub" at Kea`au and secondary hubs at Pahoa and other village centers
near highways.
• Paratransit vans to pick-up passengers who have called in from outlying areas to be
brought to one of the transit hubs.
• Central coordination by MTA of all paratransit services, including those operated by
social service agencies for designated residents with special needs.
• Park-and-ride lots at transit hubs and possibly other locations.
4.2.1 Goals
a. Mass transportation options are increased for all Puna residents.
b. Transit service and improvements reinforce and complement the development of
village/town centers.
c. A greater percentage of commuters use mass transit.
4.2.2 Objectives
a. Convert the present Hele-On Bus routes and services to a "hub-and-spoke" system, with
paratransit vehicles bringing passengers from outlying areas to Hele-On Bus hubs and
also distributing passengers within the Hilo area.
b. Coordinate County transit services with special needs paratransit services and school
transportation.
c. Provide park-and ride lots at key regional sites to promote commuter ridership.
d. Strengthen County capability and resources to operate the transit system and increase
ridership.
e. Ensure that pedestrians can access bus stops safely.
4-3
I
TRANSPORTATION
4.2.3 Actions
a. Prepare a County-wide Transit Master Plan to provide an overall framework for transit
improvements while incorporating user input from each district.
b. Improve transit service operations by:
- Increasing transit service to a minimum of two additional runs during peak hours;
- Establishing demand responsive transit in subdivisions;
- Providing commuter express bus service from Pahoa to Hilo and Volcano to Hilo;
and
- Establishing a hub-and-spoke transit system, in which transit circulators are teamed
with trunk routes on major highways.
c. Develop transit hubs at the following locations:
- Kea`au (Primary Hub): In-town location near commercial centers or on State lands
adjacent to the soccer fields; second site could include a new Mass Transit Agency
(MTA) baseyard and headquarters;
- Pahoa (Secondary Hub): On County-owned sites, either adjacent to Pahoa
Community Center or on Highway 130 near Kahakai Boulevard where the new fire
and police stations are planned;
- Volcano (Secondary Hub): Either at Cooper Center or on other available land; and
- Mountain View or South Kulani (Secondary Hub).
d. Provide park-and-ride lots at the transit hubs and within Hawaiian Paradise Park at one or
two of the proposed village/town center sites, where the community-owned parcel could
serve as a parking lot for commuters, as well as a location for farmers' markets.
e. Provide express bus service for commuters from Pahoa to Hilo and Volcano to Hilo.
Local buses or paratransit services could feed into selected stops in order to service
broader areas.
f. Develop a cooperative program with the Department of Education and private schools to
provide student passes for the Hele-On Bus.
g. Launch a public education campaign promoting transit services, tailoring them to target
populations such as youth, commuters, and the elderly.
h. Cultivate public/private partnerships, such as employer-sponsored bus passes.
i. Expand the staff of the Mass Transit Agency to provide greater support for public
relations, route planning and coordination, technical operations and fleet management.
J. Investigate other incentives to increase ridership, such as continuance of free fare
program, convenient bus ticketing systems, reduced monthly rates for residents and
special needs populations, adding airport and post office service and tourist passes.
[a:] k. Work with [Iii] Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) in creating safe
pedestrian conditions for using mass transit.
4.3 ROADWAY NETWORK
The principal routes in Puna are two State-owned highways (Highways 11 and 130),
which are covered in the following section. Presently, the County maintains nearly 188 miles of
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
roads in Puna, including some that serve as collector roads and emergency access routes, as well
as some local paved streets in a limited number of subdivisions.
Roads within most subdivisions are privately-owned and maintained by community road
maintenance associations. Most of the roads are narrow and lack paving, lighting, traffic control
signs and drainage systems. In many sections, there is inadequate sight distance due to sharp
curves or irregular road gradients.
There is also poor roadway connectivity between most subdivisions, which means that
one must take a circuitous route to travel from one subdivision to another. This, in turn, puts an
additional strain on the highways and the few collector streets in the network. Of greater
concern to public safety in an area prone to natural hazards, there are few alternative routes for
emergency access and evacuation.
The rapidly developing subdivisions whose principal access is Highway 130 are of
particular concern. To help alleviate traffic congestion along Highway 130 during peak periods
and provide an alternate route, the County of [iii] Hawaii General Plan and the Puna
Regional Circulation Plan (2005) propose a Puna Makai Alternative Route (PMAR). However,
these plans did not resolve the alignment and design for PMAR through Hawaiian Paradise Park
(HPP). While the concept of a limited access parkway has merit, it would be very difficult to
acquire right-of-way for this through a large subdivision such as HPP in a timely and cost-
effective manner. Therefore, a shorter route through HPP is a more practical and less disruptive
alternative to implement within the time-frame of this plan.
4.3.1 Goals
a. There are adequate emergency and evacuation routes and connectivity throughout Puna's
roadway network.
b. Improvements are phased so that short-term actions support and lead toward projects that
will take a longer time to implement.
c. Roadways are pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
d. Traffic congestion and traffic-related health risks are reduced.
4.3.2 Objectives
a. Create alternative, redundant routes for existing Highways 11, 130 and 132 utilizing
existing routes wherever possible.
b. Develop PMAR along the general route shown in Figure 4-1, with the specific design and
alignment to be determined based on an environmental impact study that identifies a
project having the least environmental and socio-economic impact.
c. Designate new connectivity points for local traffic and emergency and evacuation routes
within the existing roadway network.
d. Develop a phased implementation plan for coordinated actions by County and State
transportation and public works departments.
e. Improve appropriate "roads in limbo" that are used widely for public access.
4-5
TRANSPORTATION
4.3.3 Actions
a. Short Term (2008-2012)
- Plan and design the PMAR alignment through an environmental impact statement
process that meets Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) standards and therefore
qualifies the project for FHWA funding;
- Require building setbacks within HPP lots along the designated PMAR alignment, as
necessary, to reserve the potential for a future PMAR extension through the
remainder of HPP;
- Establish emergency routes, using mostly existing road beds;
- Include pedestrian and bicycling requirements in all projects; and
- Create connectivity alignments between the following subdivisions: Hawaiian Acres
and Fern Acres, Fern Acres and Kopua Farm Lots, Eden Rock and Fern Forest,
Orchidland and Hawaiian Acres, [Nai:tawal Nanawale and Hawaiian
Beaches/Shores, Hawaiian Beaches and HPP, Kea`au Agricultural Lots and a site
adjacent to Kea`au Elementary School, [Ohia] `Ohi`a Estates and Royal Hawaiian.
These inter-subdivision roads should be staggered, low-impact, and multi-modal.
The general locations are indicated as ovals in Figure 4-1.
b. Medium Term (2012-2017)
- Construct a two-lane PMAR roadway that connects Kaloli Drive between
approximately 16th Avenue and 10th Avenue in HPP to either Highway 11 or
Highway 130 in the vicinity of Kea`au;
- Construct a two-lane, unpaved, gated emergency access roadway between Kahakai
Boulevard to HPP which can later be converted into a future extension of PMAR;
- Construct a two-lane roadway between Nanawale and Kahakai
Boulevard that can be used as both an emergency access route and a future extension
of PMAR[:]; and
- Study the need, desirability and feasibility of adding an alternative route between
Pahoa and Highway 11 and between Highway 11 and Stainback Highway in the
stretch between Glenwood and Kurtistown, as generally depicted on Figure 4-1.
c. Long Term (2017-2030)
- Construct Phase 11 segments of PMAR, as generally depicted in Figure 4-1
- Acquire additional right-of-way via land pooling, exchanges, and other means to
extend PMAR through Hawaiian Paradise Park; and
- If increased traffic demand indicates, construct the PMAR extension through the
remainder of HPP, as depicted generally in Figure 4. 1, and convert the emergency
access route from Kahakai Drive to HPP as a PMAR extension by removing the gate
and paving the surface[;],
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
4.4 HIGHWAYS
There are four highways within the district of Puna:
• Volcano Road (Highway 11), which provides access to and from Hilo, serves the
upper Puna region, and connects Puna to [K-"] Ka`u;
• Puna Road (Highway 130), which runs from Kea`au to Kalapana-Kaimu, providing
access from upper to lower Puna;
• Kapoho Road (Highway 132), which spans between Pahoa and Kapoho; and
• Puna Coast Road (Highway 137), which links Kapoho to Kalapana-Kaimu.
Highways 11 and 130 are under the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaii Department of
Transportation (DOT). Highways 132 and 137 are under the County's jurisdiction. Generally
speaking, these highways are designed to facilitate efficient vehicular travel according to
standards that are based on operational characteristics, including speed limits, projected traffic
volumes at various periods, and locations where vehicles enter and exit the highway. Pedestrian,
bicycle, and mass transit travel have been typically secondary considerations, although Federal
programs and funding are available to address the specific needs for these travel modes and
incorporating them into the design and improvement of State highways.
While the County does not have control over State [highways] Highways 11 and 130, the
Puna Community Development Plan urges DOT to integrate multi-modal travel, emphasize
safety and traffic calming over efficient travel speed, and incorporate aesthetic features into the
design and improvement of highways.
4.4.1 Goals
a. Highways have design features that improve traffic safety and reduce collisions,
particularly at intersections.
b. Highway design is more aesthetically pleasing and compatible with the natural and rural
character of Puna.
c. Increased County and community influence over highway planning and design decisions.
4.4.2 Objectives
a. Make intersection improvements along highways that allow safer access from
intersecting streets as a priority over traffic speed on the highway, giving preference to
the use of roundabouts.
b. Consider roundabouts as a means to control private driveway access to major highways
with higher traffic volumes, such as Highway 130.
c. Use native landscaping for highway improvements and connectivity points, emphasizing
the retention of native vegetation.
d. Incorporate traffic-calming features into highway design in preference to signage and
signalization, where possible.
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TRANSPORTATION
4.4.3 Actions
All the following are recommendations to DOT.
a. Short Term (2008-2012):
- Make interim intersection improvements on Highways 11 and 130;
- Reduce speed limit on Highway 130 to 45 mph between the Kea`au bypass and
`Ainaloa Boulevard;
- Conduct a study to determine the most efficacious way to create greater highway
safety for all travel modes, including a cost benefit analysis for each studied method,
and consideration of a wide range of traffic calming features, highway widening, the
use of frontage roads and various types of intersection controls; and
- Implement the Shoulder Lane conversion project between the Kea`au Bypass and
Shower Drive/Pohaku Drive as a reversible lane to accommodate AM and PM peak
periods.
b. Medium Term (2012-2017)
- Increase capacity on Highway 130 between the Kea`au Bypass road and `Ainaloa
Boulevard, utilizing the results of the study of highway safety alternatives described
above;
- Construct an exit right lane on Highway 11 below Kea` au Agricultural lots to Kea`au
Village using the existing Old Volcano Road right-of-way; and
- Create a right hand turn lane from Highway 132 onto Highway 130.
4.5 NON-MOTORIZED TRAVEL AND SCENIC BYWAYS
Within Puna, bicycle and pedestrian facilities are very limited. Two multi-use trails of
significant length are planned. One is the restoration and improvement of Old Volcano Trail,
which roughly parallels Highway 11 for a length of about 14 miles between Kea`au and Volcano.
The other is Puna Railroad Bikeway, which, as the name implies, follows the alignment of the
former railroad and a portion of Railroad Avenue, and would extend between Kapoho and Hilo,
traversing Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP). The first project is now underway, but the second
project requires acquisition of a substantial amount of right-of-way from private owners before it
can proceed. When completed, these trails will offer not only a recreational opportunity, but
also a safe and attractive route for alternative travel modes between populated areas and places
of employment and commercial and community services.
Scenic Byways are somewhat of a hybrid between a highway and a trail. Typically, they
are not used for heavy vehicular traffic or primarily for utilitarian purposes. They incorporate
pullover areas for vehicles at scenic spots and usually make provisions for bicycling or hiking.
There are also special design controls on signage, landscaping and other roadway features.
Federal funds are available for corridors that are designated as a Scenic Byway. Puna's Highway
137 (Red Road) is a good candidate for this designation.
Section 4.3 pointed out that lack of road connectivity between subdivisions discourages
direct travel routes and impairs access in the event of emergencies, but lack of connectivity is
also a problem within many of the internal subdivision street networks. In HPP, for example, the
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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
3
length of blocks between the mauka-makai collector streets is about one mile. This discourages
walking and bicycling to make short trips from one block to another because there are no
pathways that cut through the mile-long block to allow a more direct route. If village centers are
created within existing subdivisions, which is a central part of the vision of the Puna Community
Development Plan, then there will be more local trips. Consequently, new routes need to be
created within subdivisions to facilitate these shorter trips - not just by vehicle, but also walking
and bicycling. If land pooling is used to create the village center, the same process can be used
to obtain rights-of-way for the new pathways. Alternatively, the subdivision owners' association
could acquire 10-20 foot wide easements straddling lots line for these passageways, but County
financial and/or legal assistance would probably be necessary to do this.
4.5.1 Goals
a. There are safe walking and bicycling routes to schools, parks and bus stops.
b. There are safe pedestrian crossings on Highways 130 and 11, particularly Highway 130.
c. Puna has a network of contiguous scenic trails between and within subdivisions for
walking, bicycling, and horseback-riding.
d. Village/town centers incorporate walking and bicycling paths.
e. Routes are designated and improved as scenic byways.
4.5.2 Objectives
a. Implement a Safe Routes to School (SR2S) programs for all schools in Puna.
b. Survey, acquire rights-of-way for, and develop historic trails for non-motorized travel,
which may also be used partially as emergency vehicle or evacuation routes, when
needed.
c. Identify and develop improvement plans for scenic byways.
d. Encourage the identification and preservation of historic trails throughout the district.
4.5.3 Actions
a. Request that the State allocate in the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) a
larger share of Federal "flex funds" (i.e., the Section 402 program funds) for projects in
Puna from highway capacity improvements to transit-related and alternative travel mode
improvements, including pedestrian and bicycle safety.
b. Allocate funding to the County Department of Public Works to make improvements such
as sidewalk and crosswalks, traffic signage and acquisition of access easements based on
recommendations of a safe routes to schools/parks assessment. A priority project is the
construction of a walkway/bikeway between Kea`au Agricultural lots and the Kea`au
Elementary and High Schools.
c. Invest in walkways, bicycle facilities, "park-once" lots, landscape improvements, themed
signage programs and transit stops in approved village/town centers.
d. Allocate additional funding to the County Police Department to consistently monitor
traffic operations along safe routes to schools/parks and enforce against traffic code
violations.
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TRANSPORTATION
e. Complete surveys, acquisition of right-of-way, maintenance agreements, planning and
design, and construction for multi-purpose trails, including:
- Old Volcano Trail, extending between points near Volcano and the Puna Railroad
Bikeway;
- Railroad Avenue (portions of which are known as Railroad Right-of-Way), extending
between points near Kapoho and [Paaaew Pana`ewa;
- Old Puna Trail (portions of which are known as Old Government Road or Beach
Road), extending between points near Kapoho and Hilo; and
- All coastal trails.
Trails may also be used as emergency access routes, where appropriate.
f. Improve Highway 137 (Red Road) as a scenic corridor by:
- Requiring a 15-foot easement along the frontage of private properties along the
corridor within which native and mature trees of non-invasive species must be
retained, unless they are in poor health due to natural conditions, not due to malicious
acts, and/or pose a threat to public health and safety;
- Preserving Mango, Kamani, and Monkeypod groves and tree tunnels;
- Providing property tax relief to owners who maintain the easement in the manner
intended and State tax credits to those who replant easements with non-invasive plant
material approved by the County;
- Adding interpretive markers and small visitor parking areas at historical sites, such as
the two Kehena sites listed in the General Plan;
- Providing pullouts along the highway at intervals so that travelers can stop to enjoy
the scenery without conflict with traffic in travel lanes;
- Delineating and maintaining physical access to the shoreline at appropriate locations
on the makai side of the road;
- Minimizing tree pruning by using special, shielded cable for overhead utility lines or
by undergrounding sections of the line;
- Minimizing excessive lighting by limiting street lights to major intersections and
informing residents along the corridor about how to reduce illumination of driveways;
- Adding a restroom and emergency phone below Seaview before Kehena Beach;
- Creating a simple walking trail on the lava and new parking area with restrooms on
the State owned accretion land at the new Kaimu Beach;
- Posting warning signs, where appropriate, in newly realigned sections; and
- Covering old section of road with cinder soil to allow Naupaka to reclaim the land.
4-10
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Figure 4-1: Proposed Transportation Corridor Improvements
0 2,5 10 t4l1,e-
'iIC P;iakai
0'Jl Pcna Trail
j
To Hi;o M3'
d 'r;hL \Toft~
H x,, 1
To Kar_Ii~ ~
D
ail..... ,
e>?t
rasa ~ G
4
ScEr
_ _ Trail
Trail Ali~;nrncnt
ii> t3c L?!3ennincl
Note: The ovals representing "Street Connectors" in the above map indicate the general areas
where road connections between existing streets in adjoining subdivisions will be located,
subject to a planning, site selection and design process involving the owners and residents of the
affected subdivisions (see Section 4.3.3 a[.])_
4-11
TRANSPORTATION
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4-12
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Chapter 5
IMPLEMENTATION
The County shall create a community-based body to advocate for the implementation of
the actions proposed in this plan. This chapter provides more detailed guidance for the
implementation of key elements of the plan - i.e., strategies for the protection of natural and
cultural features and the formation of village centers as a growth management tool. At the end of
the chapter is a matrix that lists each of the actions set forth in the previous chapters, identifies
the lead and supporting organizations responsible for implementing the action, and the estimated
cost of the action, if it is a major capital improvement.
5.1 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION
5.1.1 Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone (Volcano Area)
Below are suggested provisions for regulating and monitoring uses and activities in the
proposed Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone (BRBZ) that is described in Section 2.2, Action a.
• Establish standards for maximum land disturbance within the BRBZ, including
building footprints, impervious surface, and clearance of vegetation within
setbacks[...]., rights-of-way or easements for utility lines, roadways, driveways and
trails with the objective of allowing reasonable use of property and structures while
not diminishing the larger goal of protecting the natural resources and ['Ohi' ] `Ohi`a
canopy of the Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone District;
• Develop a system to monitor the ['Ohi' ] `Ohi`a forest canopy of the BRBZ to be
used as a measure of success in conservation of the region's forest resources;
• [Adapt develop] Develop a set of economic incentives designed to reduce forest
clearance, reduce the number of developable lots, reduce total development rights
within the BRBZ and transfer development rights within or out of the BRBZ;
• Establish mitigation standards and procedures that provide guidelines for the
restoration and re-planting of recently developed areas, including those that were
disturbed by unauthorized activity;
• Adopt an ordinance that would direct and fund the Public Works Director to
commission a study to identify the flood paths and source areas in the BRBZ, and to
design and recommend ordinance language to implement innovative ways to reduce
the scale and impacts of flooding, including the acquisition of or rights to strategic
vacant, forested lots to use for absorbing floodwaters;
• Establish provisions for "small-footprint" designs for septic tanks to reduce the need
for lot grading;
• Create and appoint a nine-member advisory committee with expertise in the area's
ecology, natural areas, and history to assist in developing standards, project reviews
and public education programs related to the BRBZ;
5-1
IMPLEMENTATION
• Request, via County Council resolution, that the State Department of Land and
Natural Resources (DLNR) consider designating its unencumbered lands near Wright
Road for either Natural Area Reserve or at least Forest Reserve status;
• [Amend] Propose amendments to the General Plan for the Volcano area, to
recognize the purpose and intent of the BRBZ and acknowledge its role as part of an
integrated Federal, State and County strategy to protect a unique natural resource of
global significance; and
• [Re zone] Propose re-zoning agricultural- and residential-zoned lots to zoning
districts that closely match their present lot size to discourage further subdivision and
development within the BRBZ.
5.1.2 Revised Grading and Grubbing Controls (District-wide)
Below are suggested revisions to County grading and grubbing regulations to protect
native forests and geological and cultural features.
• Support ongoing vegetation mapping projects to identify areas where good quality
native forest exists. When reliable mapping is available, establish protected areas of
existing good quality native forest where grading, grubbing, and other land clearing
would be limited to reasonably accommodate a homesite, some open areas for yards,
gardens, or landscaping, and driveways, with preservation of a perimeter forested
area. Allow additional clearing only for bona fide agricultural activities, and verify
that agriculture is actually being conducted.
• Support efforts by the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to create a
Geographic Information System (GIS) database of known archaeological and
historical sites. Once the database is available, require implementation of protective
measures, such as fencing, for all grading and grubbing in the vicinity of known sites,
except where prior SHPD authorization has been obtained.
• Require that applications for grading and grubbing permits contain the following
property authorizations and certifications:
- Written authorization of the lot owner and proof of ownership, such as a real
property tax record or deed.
- Certification by a licensed surveyor that: (1) the lot being prepared for
development is the right Tax Map Key (TMK) parcel; (2) the proposed
development area (size) is correct; and (3) all required building setbacks are
outside of the planned site development prior to approval to begin site work.
• Require that yards and native trees at other locations on the site that are designated
for preservation be clearly staked or flagged prior to and during land preparation,
clearing and construction, and that notice of the grading and grubbing work be posted
on the property frontage, visible from the access road.
• Establish stiffer penalties for violations of these grading and grubbing restrictions
than for other types of zoning or grading violations because, while most of the latter
5-2
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
types of violations can be corrected by remedial work, it is difficult to restore cultural
sites, unique geological features or native forests, especially the removal of a
significant stand of mature trees.
5.2 VILLAGE/TOWN CENTER FORMATION
5.2.1 Zoning Designations
Village and town centers are expected to include a mix of uses, including small-lot and
higher density residential, retail and office commercial, service-type light industrial, and public
and quasi-public facilities, such as schools, churches and parks.
Some of the proposed centers already contain many of these "urban" uses, and even a
limited amount of zoned area to accommodate expansion of these uses. Other proposed village
centers - namely, those within most of the nonconforming subdivisions - have no urban-type
zoning and little or no existing commercial activity or public facilities. Most of the larger
subdivisions, however, contain community-owned lots that have been designated for community
uses. While these lots provide a potential location for a Village center of suitable size, they lack
the zoning - and usually the infrastructure - to fulfill this potential.
[B tt7 f t. of village and to .,t° keystone of the D„ G 't`'
L
Development Plan's growth management theme, and many of the pr-E)pOsed Village 6efit
1A.-Atio-fl. of the village eenter-s are not meant to iniply that the landowner-(s) of the affeeted are
may apply direefly for- r-e zoning in the eonventional way. instead, the following appr-oaehes will
b used f"" the zoning of village/town "t°r~
> light > residential and Kqtiasi publie uses within village
• All c"fleating zone" method; i.e., where the villa-ge
eentefs shall be aulbefized under- the eenter- zoning distr-iet is defined in zoning code, but is not applied to a speeifie par-eel
of 1 t•1 an a l .,t'. made for .,1 of tl. zoning m ice by he
group
or- r rr ~ ~
County.
The village/town t° fle ting zone may supersede existing .l "t; f r
provided that the eses are loea4ed within the afeas designated as village eenteF.
• The fiea4ifig one also allow mixed use within a building and establish speeiA,
plaee appropriate development and design standards, ineluding fef publie f4eiliti
C!1 owns a
• if the l eenter- site is on land that owned by an entity that t least
aer-es of land elsewher-e in -Puna, the intensity of uses in the village/town centef: may
1. augmented augmented tel . " the amount of t f development potential is ----------that t t, ,.,~fo,- - a F „-UT
by ----y
agricultefal zened n residential zoned properties that lie outside Of4he designated
village 6enten Development potential will t, ...ea fo by "Potential Dwelling
" Units" 'ts-- (PP T`i• tL, -mbe of dwelling units tha4 ,1.1 be v'~ivde °l.,Nau on t
~ls
agrr ccc!W al zoned or- residential zoned land under- its zoning elassificatiefl, as
d t '1 by fflinin+uffl "llo able lot area, .rie dwelling per lot
5-3
IMPLEMENTATION
> ineluding multi family dwellings, within
proeess desefibed above-, land pooling, planned unit development and development
air
uses, > fna~
1, developed within village "t° „without the transfer- of PP 7 The development
of sueh uses outside of a village eenter by Speeial Permit will be diseoufaged, un!
them is c eempellng-r@ason to loeate-the f4eility- in an outlying area due to ~
"t' ,1., " h .,t° st; sty
uuvvo.
• Existing buildings with existing f
village/tolvffi t be ° °'l °,,.1., °'1 expanded without " a fleuaaaa~ ting
aa
r@~Fr@ - oeeduie. However, nt pafeels and ° buildings ;tl,' these z0ftifig
disgtr-ic-ts--will f@quife eview fef eomplianee with -the-appheable floating zon
st" d
Future zone changes and State land use boundary amendments for the regional town
centers and community village centers at Kea`au Pahoa and Hawaiian Paradise Park shall be
consistent with the LUPAG map designations of the General Plan.
The regional town center plan should be prepared through an inclusive community based
process that involves major stakeholders including landowners community representatives, and
public agencies.
The rezoning ordinance for a village or town center may contain overall density and
development limits as well as restrictions on uses tailored to the specific needs of the regional or
village center.
Residential areas may be zoned RS RCX or RM. The County may also amend the
zoning code to create a new zoning classification more suited to the town or regional centers.
Any industrial zoning within regional centers to the extent not allowed under CV zoning, should
be limited to MCX zoning. Other industrially-zoned areas outside of the regional town centers
should be located as described in Section 5.2.4.
5.2.2 Criteria for Proposed Locations and Boundaries
The Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) defines three types of centers -
regional, community, and neighborhood - which differ in size and range of uses according to
their intended function (see Table 5-1.)
The maps toward the end of this chapter indicate the suggested locations for the village
centers in greater detail, based on the following criteria:
• Size of the village/town center according to its intended type and purpose. Land areas
need to be large enough to accommodate their intended purpose. Regional Town
Centers are estimated to require more than 30 acres of commercial land use;
Community Village Centers an estimated 10 to 30 acres; and Neighborhood Village
5-4
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Centers about 5 to 10 acres. In addition, there should be land available for
community and residential uses within the village center.
• Urban zoning and/or uses of an urban character. A State Urban District designation,
existing commercial and/or residential zoning, and the visible presence of built form
sometimes indicate at least an embryonic form of a village center. Within some of
the non-conforming subdivisions, however, these conditions are lacking or minimal.
• Public uses or facilities, especially those that people frequently visit. Where possible,
village centers should either encompass or be located adjacent to existing community
facilities such as churches, schools, parks, and community centers to promote
convenient walking, bicycling and transit access to these uses.
• Consistency with an applicable community-based plan. The locations of proposed
centers in Volcano, Orchidland and Hawaiian Paradise Park were identified in plans
that were prepared by their respective community associations.
• Land owned by a community or subdivision association. Several subdivisions and
communities have land that is owned by either a community association or the
County that offers an opportunity to develop and use as part of a center.
• Availability of vacant private lots for development of clustered housing or new
pathways. Groups of adjacent vacant lots in nonconforming subdivisions may
sometimes be incorporated into a potential village center or be used to create
improved access to the village center from surrounding lots. The use of vacant lots
minimizes the displacement of homeowners and reduces complications in land
assembly.
• Ease of access to village center from surrounding populated areas. Village and town
centers should have convenient [to] access to travel routes. The larger town centers
generally need to be located near, but not necessarily directly on, highways. Smaller
village centers may be located at some distance from highways, but there should be
convenient walking and bicycling, as well as driving, routes to the village center for
the people living in the communities that the village centers support.
The maps shown in this chapter are not meant to be precise or strictly interpreted, but
z0fle desig a
rather as guidelines [f b t ests f ` village eefiter- fl" * a ~
which t the boundafies will b a.] in the preparation of rezoning requests for areas within
or adjacent to regional town centers community village centers or neighborhood village centers.
5.2.3 Use and Design Standards
Land uses, design themes and architectural and site design standards for each
village/town center will be determined through the [flea4ing zone ] preparation of each
regional town center or village plan and the rezoning approval process. Table 5-1 provides
[gtidanee] guidelines on the scale, uses, and general site [and design eh r°^*°risti - ] for the
three types of town/village centers.
5-5
IMPLEMENTATION
Some existing locations are proposed for possible Special Design District treatment, as
noted in Section 2.1.3, Action b. A Special Design District would provide more detailed design
guidance on the development of village centers that exhibit historic development patterns that
define a unique "sense of place." The strongest candidates for Special Design District
designation in Puna, in relative order, are:
• Volcano Village presently has a small, legally recognized historic district. According
to a 1993 inventory by the Hawaii State Historic Division, Volcano has a high
concentration of historic structures, mostly residential dwellings. Most of these are
outside of the designated historic district. The inventory can serve as a basis for
establishing both the boundaries of the Special Design District and the design
parameters for development within it.6 A major decision to make, with the
involvement of affected property owners and residents, is the extent to which the
demolition, renovation and addition to existing historic dwellings will be controlled
by design standards, and what those standards will be. In addition design standards
for new developments need to be identified and described. Landscape standards are
also appropriate for Volcano, although issues related to lot clearance could also be
addressed in regulatory controls other than the Special Design District.
• Pahoa Town has a main street - the former highway route before the construction of
the by-pass road - that still retains much of the original streetwall of plantation-era
structures, as well as some significant stand-alone buildings. Most of the uses are
commercial or civic. There has been no historic structure inventory on the scale or
level of detail as the Volcano inventory. Some of the older buildings in Pahoa appear
to be in deteriorated physical condition. Also, Pahoa does not enjoy the same level of
prosperity as Volcano, so a low-interest loan program for businesses and building
owners would probably be needed to complement a Special Design District. The
County has acquired a large tract of land within Pahoa Town, which presents a
significant opportunity for community revitalization and a possible catalyst for
economic activity.
• Kea `au Town also has roots as a plantation town, but has lost many of the buildings
and other physical features of that era. Nevertheless, it retains some of the character
of an older rural town with the informal arrangement of buildings and scale, roof
forms, exterior materials and colors of buildings. It also includes some notable
landscape features, including mature canopy trees and the line of towering roadside
palms between [81a a] `Ola`a Community Center and Kea`au High School. As noted
earlier, since most of the land in Kea`au is held by a single owner (Shipman Estate),
there is an opportunity to carry an integrated design theme throughout the town
without necessarily adopting a Special Design District. The landowner has retained
planning and design consultants who are presently engaged in developing design
guidelines.
6 Boone Morrison Architects, Inc., for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, Volcano
Village Historic Building Inventory, 1993.
5-6
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
• Mountain View-to-Kurtistown is a corridor that includes small settlements dating
from plantation days and earlier that have been historically connected to Volcano and
Kea`au by transport routes. There are still some buildings and small areas where
there is evidence of an historic development pattern. A limitation is that Highway 11
bisects Mountain View, which makes it difficult to preserve the design integrity of an
older settlement. The more generic design guidelines for Community Village Centers,
in addition to some direct measures - such as relocating Mountain View Elementary
School away for the highway, as recommended by one of the Working Groups - may
be a more effective strategy for this corridor than Special Design District designation.
5-7
IMPLEMENTATION
Table 5-1
General Use and Design Criteria by Village/Town Center Type
Regional Town Center Community Village Center Neighborhood Village Center
Service Area 20,000 to 50,000 residents 7,000 to 15,000 residents 3,000 to 6,000 residents
Population
[Mor-e than nn tenant spaees
for full range of retail and [20 + nn small t°"""+ ~ [c to! c small tenant spaces F
[TT-`y-rpic^-al Uses] personal s ii for- "'°tail and pe nal enee retail and
r J
«.l„~+~':'1 ' cam]
[ al]
Approximate More than 30 acres 10[-] to 30 acres Up to 10 acres
Land Area
[r p to 250 ,000 square fee + . [r p to 150,000 aggregate, [Commeroial but no tenan aggf:egate, but no tenan [r 1« to 50 ,000 s ° fee
Floor- Area] spaces larger- than 50 ,000 spaees 1., -ge f than 25,000
square-fe~]
[Regional] More than 40 [Eonmnunit~] Between 20 [Neighhefhoed] Between 5 and
tenant spaces for full range and 40 small tenant spaces 15 small tenant spaces for
of retail and personal for retail and personal convenience retail and personal
services, repair shops and services, repair shops; services; neighborhood park,
other light industrial uses, community park, elementary elementary school, multi-
re ional park; schools (all or middle school, purpose meeting room or
[Other- Uses] grades); community hall,
Typical theater; outdoor events area; community center and (minimum) place to congregate
Components bed-and-breakfast homes outdoor events area; bed- or post community notices;
and small inns; elderly s and-breakfast homes and outdoor events area (e.g.,
other special needs housing; small inns; elderly or other barbeques and farmer's
transit hub; medical facility special needs housing; markets); small bed-and-
with emergency room; transit stop; medical clinic; breakfast homes; transit (or
police and fire station; Walking and bicycling paths. paratransit) stop; connections
to walking and bicycling paths.
walking and bicycling paths.
r-espeets the hister-ie eontex ar-ehiteettife that utilizes afehiteetur-e that is small in
and scale of the oommunity; natural exteFior- materials scale and r-efleets a fur-a!
light indust-Fial uses on
Tl "Fli"t with the pedestrian , eafth tone colors.]
repair- oriented eharaeter- in the espeeially where histo6e
shops in To "Gent° as in Voleano Village and
the older- ,.FTif., «r.,
core subjeet to °'•F ance,l.1g ef;t°«`2] View.]
Access to one or more paved Access to one or more paved Access to a paved road, except
roads; commercial or public roads; commercial or public that there should be no direct
Access uses without direct driveway uses without direct driveway access or visibility from either
access to Highway 11 or access to Highway 11 or Highway 11 or Highway 130;
Highway 130. Highway 130; no drive- no "drive-thru commercial
thru" commercial use. use.
5-8
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Kea`au Regional Town Center
The Kea`au Town Center consists of two parts. The area bounded by Highway 11 and
the Highway 130 By-Pass, including the original plantation village, for uses that are oriented
primarily to residents of the Kea`au community itself. The exceptions are the middle and high
school and the post office next to Kea`au Shopping Center, which are region-serving facilities.
Most uses of a regional orientation - e.g., Shipman Park, the areas already zoned for commercial
and light industrial uses, and proposed new police, fire, transit, and medical facilities - are to be
located north of Highway 11 to provide convenient vehicular access.
The area designated for community-oriented use is 597 acres, approximately 24% of
which has been zoned and/or developed for commercial, residential and public/quasi-public use.
The area for region-oriented uses covers 331 acres, approximately 50% of which is now zoned or
developed for commercial, industrial or public use. Nearly all of the designated village center is
within the State Urban District.
[Tt, ty based plan for Kea' „-but he] The principal landowner, W.H.
Shipman [Estate], Ltd., has developed a master plan with community participation that indicates
not only the development of the area within the designated [village] town center, but, in the long-
term, much of their land beyond. Control of most of the land by a single owner facilitates the
planning and development of the proposed [viler] town center.
Commercial development that serves regional uses should be limited to the "regional town
center" boundaries Commercial development that serves community village or neighborhood
village uses may be located adjacent to a regional town center. Rezoning for residential
development at higher densities along with zoning for associated neighborhood-oriented
services may occur within the LUPAG "alternate urban expansion areas," provided that such
zoning proceeds in phases outward from the designated regional town center.
Figure 5-1: Kea`au Regional Town Center
w
- - -
1
hvliminary
~ ~t, $S` 1 llbSil, Ii,l'Itil
rbin
p
~r
g ~ to lttefciH37eB>a
~y
I ' u' iiLd Zone
al Lo+ie
wr l Zone.
5-9
IMPLEMENTATION
Pahoa Regional Town Center
Like Kea`au, Pahoa's village center is divided into two parts. The northern portion
straddling Highway 130 at the intersection with the Bypass Road is intended for regional uses
and services - e.g., areas already zoned for commercial and light industrial uses; proposed new
police, fire, and ambulance facilities; and a proposed transit hub. The area straddling Pahoa
Village Road from `Apa`a Street to the intersection of Kapoho Road and Pahoa-Kalapana Road,
is intended to contain uses that are oriented primarily to residents of the Pahoa community itself.
The exceptions are the post office in the center of town and the intermediate and high school at
the southern tip of town, which are region-serving facilities. Together, these areas shall
comprise the Pahoa Regional Town Center. Nearly all of the designated regional town center is
within the State Urban District.
[The area designated y oriented use is 280 aer-e ~ uvu ttely 660% of
whieh has been zoned and/or- developed for- 7 residential and publie/quasi publie use.
acres, The area fef region oriented uses eovef:s 78 developed for- 7 industrial or- publie use. Nea ly all of the designated village eenter is
within the State Urban Tl' t.]
The County has recently acquired a 50 acre parcel near the center of town, which presents
a good opportunity to expand the regional park and provide other facilities to stimulate the
development of the town core.
Figure 5-2: Pahoa Regional Town Center
F
Ar
~r
tt
P ihoa Regional 5'C
o
,j 1 e ¦ a
c
ortanunity,;
•
Kr gional r ?~'l ,~5C5 ..+-s-rri~-+y~
SLU Urban
t
Existing Zoning
Commercial Lone
(esidential Zone
s
Agricultural zone
1 : Preliminary Village Center
M,d, L Boundary
Community Facilities
5-10
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Hawaiian Paradise Park Regional Town Center a'd Village Centers
Hawaiian Paradise Park contains 8,804 parcels; 99% of which are 1 acre or less in size.
The subdivision is also developing`at # relatively rapid rate because of its proximity to Hilo and
affordability of parcels. Six 40-acre areas of land were set aside by the original subdivider for
potential future community and commercial uses. Three of these 40-acre areas have been
identified for development as a town or village center. The sites are distributed iri a triangular
pattern to optimize their accessibility throughout the subdivision. All are adjacent to one of the
principal mauka-makai streets in the subdivision.
The site closest to Highway 130 is designated as a Regional Town Center, primarily
because of the high rate of growth in this quadrant of the subdivision. Land pooling and transfer
of development rights to encourage a greater clustering of residential use near this town center is
encouraged. The other two sites are designated for the development of a Community and
Neighborhood Village Center. The latter is 20 acres in size.
The intention in the future is to have all service and community uses located within
either the town center or one of the two village centers to reserve outlying properties for
residential and agricultural use, create activity centers for community and commercial uses, and
to promote greater efficiency in travel and infrastructure development.
Figure 5-3: Hawaiian Paradise Park Regional Town Center and Village Centers
r
d
1 lawadan Paradise Park Reaional.
i ;
c ~ mmumtv, and Neighborhood VC r
l
t
i
r ? ,
E {F
' - - ~ - - I 4 t ( i.,Al
€ r
~ a t i €
t f i l = Preliminary Village
r-„„~ Center Bound trv
p
Community- Facilities
l_. i_ t 1 i p i l i k t Lswting Zoning
i a- lam[ € APricultural Zone
e 'y€ I open Zone
5-11
IMPLEMENTATION
Volcano Community Village Center
As suggested by the Volcano Community Association, the village center in Volcano is
split into two locations. The larger of the two sites, along the Old Volcano Highway between
Haunani Road and Wright Road, is within the historic core of Volcano. It is roughly 43 acres
and entirely within the State Urban District. Portions of this site have County commercial
zoning, but the community association's Vision 2020 Update proposes the creation of a Rural
Commercial (CR) district with specific design guidelines to respect Volcano's historic character.
The description of the CR zoning resembles the criteria for a village center.
The second, and smaller, portion of the village center would be at a presently
undeveloped site on the other side of Highway 11 between the [Maunalo ] Royal Hawaiian
Estates and [Ohs a] `Ohi`a Estates subdivisions. This portion of the village center is intended for
more service-oriented businesses. While this site does not contain historic structures, businesses
should not be prominently visible or have direct vehicular access to Highway 11. Instead, access
to the second portion of the village center would be via a parallel right-of-way remnant of the
Old Volcano Highway.
Figure 5-4: Volcano Community Village Center
_ii_ Cotmnunity VC
I~
ti Jura Re JL.._
a
ft *4
• )i HLwlaii Belt Rd {M
„ o s o . c l volco~ a'ralahoa Hwy) -
_ i
r-
_
Preliminary Village
Center Boundary
Community Facility
SLU Urban
Existing Zoning
Agriculturaliopen Zone
y ; Commercial Zone
ti Residential Zone
U C.:'5 tl.+:.
5-12
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Mountain View Community Village Center
Mountain View already has a commercial-zoned area of more than 3 acres, so its village
center is focused on this existing core. The area shown for the village center in the map below is
approximately 85 acres and encompasses the existing elementary school, community park,
Historical Mountain View Theater, A.J. Wyatt Gym and some relatively small residential lots, as
well as the commercial core.
Highway 11 runs through the village center, providing access from the east and west.
Lauko Road runs perpendicular to Highway 11, with the intersection near the middle of the
village center. Measures to make crossing Highway 11 safer in this area should be considered,
such as a bypass route or signal-controlled crosswalk.
Some have proposed the relocation of Mountain View Elementary School so that the
facility can be converted into a senior community center. Ideally, the new school location would
be closer to the community park, gym, and small-lot residential area. Having the school closer to
the gym and park, would make the community more walkable, with more convenient and safer
access for frequent users.
Figure 5-5: Mountain View Community Village Center
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Industrial Zone
Residential Zone
Open Zone
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5-13
IMPLEMENTATION
Kurtistown Community Village Center
The Kurtistown Community Village Center, which is aligned along Highway 11,
encompasses approximately 35 acres. Approximately 15 acres or 44% of the area is already
developed. Roughly half of the designated area lies within the State Urban District A little
more than 15 acres is zoned for residential use and is occupied by single family dwellings.
Approximately 9.5 acres is zoned for commercial use. The largest parcel, at nearly 7 acres, is
owned by the County. As part of the village plan, a controlled crosswalk or a by-pass route
should be considered in order to make it safer and more convenient to cross Highway 11.
Figure 5-6: Kurtistown Community Village Center
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SLU Urban
I \icling Zoning
Commercial Zone
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Open Lone
LLJ Agricultural Zone
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5-14
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Maku`u Community Village Center
The designation of Maku`u as a community village center includes the site of the Maku`u
Farmer's Market along with the existing and planned Department of Hawaiian Homes
subdivisions mauka and makai of Highway 130.
Figure 5-7: Maku`u Community Village Center
Makuu Community VC
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Village Center
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Existing Zoning
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0 250 Soo .ooo Agriculture Zone
5-15
IMPLEMENTATION
}
`Ainaloa Neighborhood Village Center
The `Ainaloa Community Association owns three 8.25-acre sites distributed evenly
throughout the subdivision. Two of the sites are vacant. The most central of these is suggested
as the site for the village center. The site consists of two parcels - one 5.5 acres and the other
2.75 acres - separated by a road. The typical lot size in the subdivision is 0.275 acres. All of the
lots immediately surrounding the proposed village center are vacant, so the village center could
conceivably be expanded without displacing homeowners.
Primary access to the village center would be Tree Fern Drive, Ginger Lane, and
Rainbow Drive. These streets, like all the others in `Ainaloa, provide access to the center of the
subdivision from the two main paved roads that span the outside edges of the subdivision.
As part of the formation of the village center, it would be useful to consider the creation
of a pedestrian way that could also be used for bicycles to provide better access to the village
center. The potential alignment is illustrated in the map below. The pedestrian way could be
created by acquiring a 5-foot to 10-foot wide easement from properties along their common
boundaries.
Figure 5- 8: `Ainaloa Neighborhood Village Center
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5-16
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Hawaiian Beaches Neighborhood Village Center
The Hawaiian Shores Community Association owns nearly 12 acres at the entrance to the
subdivision across the street from the Keonepoko Elementary School. The largest of the
association's parcels already contains a 2,304 square foot building, presumably used as a
community center. The combined area is suitably sized and situated for a village center. Access
to the center would be provided along A`ama Street, Kahakai Boulevard, and Naha Wele. Four
vacant parcels across A`ama Street totaling 2.19 acres could be acquired for expansion of the
village center. The entire site is within the State Urban District.
Figure [5-815- 9: Hawaiian Beaches Neighborhood Village Center
Iiawaiian Beaches Neighborhood VC w,
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Preliminary Village
Center Boundary.
Community Facilities
SLU Urban
Existing Zoning
eet
o su s e , ago Agricultural Zone
5-17
IMPLEMENTATION
Orchidland Neighborhood Village Center
The Orchidland neighborhood village center location was identified by the community
association to be "located along Orchidland Drive from Highway 130 to halfway between 34th
and 35th Avenues", which encompasses 15 parcels and an area of about 16 acres. The area is
outside the State Urban District.
Figure [-5-9] 5- 10: Orchidland Neighborhood Village Center
Orchidland Neighborhood V( m
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Preliminary Village
~ - Center Boundarv
Existing "Zoning J
Wo _ +o~ 0 Agricultural Zone
5-18
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Nanawale Neighborhood Village Center
The [Nanawal Nanawale Community Association owns a 23.23-acre vacant parcel at
the center of the subdivision that is adequate to serve as a neighborhood village center.
Access to the parcel is provided for on all four sides of the parcel. The only special use
permitted within the subdivision is a church/school facility located in the northwest corner of the
subdivision. The majority of parcels within the subdivision are less than a quarter acre in size.
The road network through the subdivision is extensive making the proposed village center
accessible and convenient. The proposed village center lies within the State Urban District.
Figure [54015- 11: ] Nanawale Neighborhood Village Center
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F Ming Zoning
Residential Zone
Open Zone
-TIF.
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5-19
IMPLEMENTATION
5.2.4 Industrial Zoning
As indicated in Table 5-1 regional town centers would accommodate primarily "repair
shops and other light industrial uses" that would fit compatibly within a mixed-use, "walkable"
community that includes schools parks and high density residential neighborhoods. Generally,
light industrial uses may not be compatible with some of the village centers, which are mostly
located within existing subdivision neighborhoods, although the Highway 11 site makai of
Volcano Village might be a suitable site for such uses serving upper Puna.
Puna does however, need more sites for service-type light industrial uses that might not
be compatible with the mixed use nature of the regional town centers. These service-type uses
include self-storage facilities sites for small businesses, and trucking and contractor base ay rds.
Some of the only industrially-zoned areas in Puna are the Shipman Business Park, consisting of
487 acres of which perhaps 40% has been developed and subdivided, about 25 acres near Milo
Street and the former Puna Sugar Mill (currently HELCO power plant) in Kea` au, and a one-acre
site in Mountain View used by Verizon. There are also existing and proposed MCX (mixed
industrial-commercial) zones at Gateway and Ulupono Center in Kea`au, but these are likely to
be developed for more commercial uses.
Although the undeveloped area within Shipman Business Park is very large, it is at some
distance from emerging population centers in Hawaiian Paradise Park/Orchidland/`Ainaloa and
upper Puna and there has been a demand for light industrial sites closer to these population
centers. This has resulted in special permit applications creating light industrial uses scattered
among residential and agricultural lots, rather than planned development.
The 2005 General Plan's LUPAG Map added a proposed industrial area on Kaloli Drive
between 13th and 15th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park, which has not been developed. The
community development plan proposes that further industrial development should occur on the
sites currently designated in the General Plan LUPAG map, plus the following:
• 100-acre site on DHHL property, makai of the new County fire station (Fig 5-2);
• An area eg nerally mauka of Mdlama Market (Fig. 5.2); and
• An area along 33rd street in Hawaiian Paradise Park, from Maku`u going toward
Kea`au (Fig. 5-3) where several businesses have special permits. This area, which
consists of 46 lots of 0.5 to 1.0 acre, should become a light industrial area only if the
survey currently being conducted by the Planning Department shows that lot owners
want this changed and are willing to fund the infrastructure improvements necessary
to create a light industrial area: road improvements, water, and thick landscaping to
shield the site from Highway 130 and the residential lots abutting the site.
Industrial development for those sites proposed in the community development plan
should have adequate infrastructure, to include road access, water, and landscaping to limit
visibility from the highways to emphasize that these sites are to provide services to the
residential and agricultural communities. All industrial sites should have alternate access to the
main highway, and no lots should have direct highway access. For the DHHL site, this alternate
access could be from Kahakai Blvd. through one of the adjacent farm lots. For the site mauka of
Ma-lama Market, this could be via an extension of Kahakai Blvd.
5-20
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
5.3 IMPLEMENTATION TABLE
The Implementation Table on the following pages identifies, for each of the proposed
actions in the Puna Community Development Plan, the organization(s) responsible for taking the
lead or supporting role for implementation, the projected timeframe for implementation, and the
estimated cost, in 2007 dollars, of implementing the action, if it is a major capital improvement
project. In some cases, the cost could not be determined until further planning work and
feasibility study has been completed to better define the scope of the project. Those instances
are noted by "TBD" (to be determined[...]). A key to the organizations referenced in the table is
below. Where organizations are co-equal partners in a role, they are separated by a comma.
Where one has relatively greater responsibility or authority, they are separated by a diagonal line.
Key to Acronyms in Implementation Table
BD County of Hawaii Building Department
CA Community Association (or subdivision homeowners' association)
CC County of [Hawaii] Hawaii Corporation Counsel
COU County of [Hawaii] Hawaii Council
DBEDT State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
DHHL State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
DLNR State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
DOE State of Hawaii Department of Education
DOH State of Hawaii Department of Health
DOT State of [Hawaii] Hawaii Department of Transportation
DPW County of Hawaii Department of Public Works
DWS County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply
EMPL Employers (referring to large institutions)
FED Federal agencies (various, depending on function)
FIN County of Hawaii Department of Finance
HCC [Hawaii] Hawaii Community College
HELCO [Hawaii] Hawaii Electric Light Company
County of Hawaii [Depaf4fnent of Publie Works Building Division] Fire
HFD Department
HFDC [Hawaii] Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation
HPD County of Hawaii Police Department
DEM County of [Hawaii] Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
DPR County of [Hawaii] Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation
LEG [Hain] Hawaii State Legislature
MTA County of Hawaii Mass Transit Agency
NGO Non-governmental organization (non-profit community association, etc.)
OHCD County of [Hawaif] Hawaii Office of Housing & Community Development
PD County of Hawaii Planning Department
PUC State of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
R&D County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development
UH University of [Hawaii] Hawaii at Hilo
When implementing the actions listed in the following table, the Working Group and
Working Paper report that addresses the relevant topic(s) shall be considered as a reference to
provide greater specificity on the location, description and intention of the proposed action.
5-21
IMPLEMENTATION
Action Item Responsibility Timetable Est. Cost
-
Section Lead Supporting 2008-12 2013-17 2018-30 51,000 (200'
NIALA:NIA I IAA `AINA
2.1.3 Historic; Cultural, and Scenic 'Resources
[(A)] [Establish ] [PA:)] [-X] - 1
[(B)] [initiate] Seek Special Design District designations for
the following areas:
-Volcano Village PD COU X
-Pahoa Town PD COU X
-Kea`au Town PD COU X
-Kurtistown-Mountain View corridor PD COU X
[(G)] [Amend] Propose amendments to the county building
code for traditional Hawaiian building design and DB COU/PD X
construction methods
[(D)] Amend the county grading ordinance to require
consultation with the Historic Preservation Division and COU PDW/PD X
County Historic Preservation Commission
2.2.3 Native Forests and Geological` Features - _ °
(A) Enact a BRBZ Design District for the Volcano area COU PD/DPW X
(B) mend] Propose amendments to the County code to
protect native species, geological and historic features COU DPW/PD X
outside of the BRBZ
(C) an ^ffl^°] Propose the establishment of an
Office of County Ecologist within the Planning COU PD X
Department
(D) Provide County support for forest preservation by
offering real property tax reductions and contributing COU FIN,DPW X X X
land
(E) Reduce the minimum lot size to qualify for the native
forest preservation tax reduction and allow it in any COU FIN X
zoning district
(F) Investigate alternatives to herbicides for weed control on DOT,DPW DOE, DPR,DLNR X
ublic lands
3.3 aquifers and Coastal Water,, 1 _
(A) Encourage State legislation to prohibit the use of
cesspools as a means for wastewater disposal in areas LEG DOH/DLNR X
below 1,000 feet Mean Sea Level
(B) Seek state Department of Health acceptance of small-
footprint septic wastewater treatment designs and LEG DOH X
clustered septic systems
(C) Prepare watershed management plans for the Volcano-to-
Mountain View and Hawaiian Acres-to-Orchidland areas DPW DW/PD X
taddress localized flooding problems
(D) Ensure [that] legislation for a corridor of the Puna
watershed at least two miles wide [between] including
the Wao Kele O Puna forest area and the [eeean] State LEG DOH/DLNR X
lands mauka of Highway 130 between `Ainaloa
subdivision and Pahoa is preserved for future potable
water use
(E) [RequiF@] Encourage legislation that requires all
blackwater wastewater disposal systems to be contained PD DOH, DPW, DEM X
or connected to a collection system in areas below 100
5-22
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Action Item Res ~onsibilio' Timetable Est. Cost
Section Lead Supporting 2008-12 2013-U 2018-30 ,~I.o(1(1 (1-00,
feet Mean Sea Level
Prepare an EA or an EIS for a wastewater treatment
facility to service the Kapoho Beach Lots/Vacationland DEM DOH, PD X
Hawaii area
(G) Provide tax credits to Kapoho residents who convert their LEG DEM, DOH X
existing cesspools into aerobic treatment svstems
2.43 Shoreline Area
(A) Expand and improve database, references and skills at PD UH,DBEDT,FED X
County level to review shoreline permit applications (B) Research and record information on trails and historic DLNR PD X
resources _
(C) Conduct historic and biological surveys for review of
shoreline permit applications and certifications and
[prohibit] recommend increased scrutiny of applications PD,DLNR NGO X
for SMA permits for subdivision of properties likely to be
underwater in 100 years
(D) Take into account subsidence and storm waves in DLNR PD X
shoreline certifications
(E) Study storm wave and high tide patterns to develop FED,UH,DLNR DPW X
refined coastal flood zone maps (F) Implement special zoning and development controls for PD UH,DBEDT,FED X
Kapoho area to address subsidence issues
IAN AGING GROWTII -
3[[..1A1..3 Land tw Pallcrn
~[Adopt nabling 0 legislation pmevi [rnT T] [ GG]
[(B)] Provide county support for land use entitlements and land
(A) assembly for voluntary land pooling projects by:
[Creating -a "floating zone" in the County z e&] [PD] [CA] [X]
-Initiating a special use permit request or petition for land PD LUC X X
use boundary amendment
- Seeking amendment to State Land Use Law to enable PD LUC X
"rural town/village" standards
-Seeking State enabling legislation to allow County to PD FIN X
retain lots delinquent in real property taxes
-Extending technical assistance and advice to community- CC, FIN NGOs X X X
based land ooling associations
Establish the following general classifications for village
BB) and town centers: Regional, Community and PD CA X
Neighborhood -
[(D)] Facilitate land use entitlements and other tools for the
(C) development of existing and future village/town centers
and special design districts by:
-[ApPreving] Recommending approval of applications for
commercial zoning or use permits for existing PD COU X
commercial uses in designated village/town centers
- [Denying] Recommending denial of applications for zone
changes for commercial or light industrial use on sites PD COU X X X
that are not within designated villa e/town centers
[(E-fl Facilitate land use entitlements and financing for the
development of new village/town centers by:
5-23
IMPLEMENTATION
Action Item Res ~onsibility Timetable Est. Cost'
Section ' Lead Supporting 2008-12 2013-17...2,018-30 $1;f100(200'
-Creating a [-fl afing zone" elassir'^^t'°n] regional town
center plan for [new] each village/town [eenters] center PD CA X
-Providing loan guarantees or grants to community
associations or partnerships for infrastructure COU FIN X X
development
[(fl] [mod] Propose amendments to the zoning code and/or
apply district-wide rezoning to limit allowable building COU PD X
footprint on residential and agricultural-zoned lands
[(G)] Require County agencies to establish and report on Level COU PD,DPW,HFD,HPD, X X X
(F) of Service standards for infrastructure and services DWS,DPR
Urge the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) COU/LEG DHHL X
(G) to conform to the goals and objectives of the PCDP
[(1)] Consider fixing the real property tax assessments of COU FIN X
(H) voluntarily enrolled property owners
[(J)] Conduct study on the impacts from subdivision build-out PD DLNR, DW X
/G~D
(J) and zoning ehan` es] Recommend PD COU X
legislation for wider notice of pending applications for
special permits variances and zoning changes
3.2.3 Agriculture and Economic Development _
(A) Limit water system and road standard variances for new PD COU X
subdivisions on agricultural-zoned land
(B) [initiate] Consider down-rezoning of lands in
Agricultural zoning districts to discourage further PD COU X
subdivision into small lots
(C) [Rese-ind] Reconsider Urban Expansion Areas for Pahoa
on the LUPAG, except where they correspond to COU PD X
existing residential zoning and designated [image
eenters] Regional Town Center and industrial boundaries
(D) Seek State legislation to impose higher conveyance LEG FIN X
and/or capital gains taxes on short-term property re-sales
P(F) Seek state legislation to allow the county to hold onto
properties that are in foreclosure due to property taxes in
arrears rather than immediately auctioning them to the PD FIN X
highest bidder
Provide land and infrastructure for farmers' markets R&D DPW X X
within village/town centers
(G) Seek State authorized lower General Excise Tax rate on
local agricultural products sold at County farmers LEG R&D X
markets
(H) Develop an agri/eco-tourism policy, necessary zoning
and other County assistance for farmers markets, special R&D PD X
events, restaurants specializing in local food products,
and similar promotions of local agriculture
(I) Develop business incubator districts in Kea`au, [P-dho R&D DBEDT/DP X X
Pahoa, and Mountain View
(J) Promote use of the incentives offered by the designation R&D DBEDT X X X
of an Enterprise Zone
(K) Support the HCC-The Bay Clinic or similar partnership UH, NGO DBEDT, R&D X
to establish a youth business center in Kea`au
(L) Support the development of a community-based organic UH R&D X
farming operation and training facility in cooperation
5-24
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Action Item Res ~onsibilitN Timetable Est. Cost
Scction Lead 'Su ortin« 2008-12 2013-17 2018-30 51,001) (200'
with UH
(M) Develop job opportunities in Puna in renewable energy R&D DBEDT X X
generation
(N) Conduct a study to define and identify important PD R&D X
agricultural lands in Puna
[(0)] [Create a fund to purehase or eeiei a :,lent:F.o,l pef4a^t
..lt.,r.,l 1.,...11 [Rt~;]3] .
[(P)] Create a real property tax exemption (perhaps 4 to 6 COU FIN X
years) for farmers entitled to Federal crop loss insurance
[(R)] Encourage organic farming and gardening by establishing UH LEG/COU X X X
(P) a Puna agriculture scholarship with HCC and UH Hilo
33.3 Social Services and Housinb
(A) Develop a centrally located full-service medical facility NGO LEG/DOH X X X
based on a non-profit model
(B) Establish "one-stop" social services assistance centers at NGOs DSSH, OHCD X X
various locations
(C) Build partnerships between the County and non-profit
organizations for social services and economic COU NGO,OHCD,R&D X X X
development
(D) Seek State enabling legislation to help lower self-help LEG COU/OHCD, DB X
housing construction costs
(E) Offer educational programs to develop financial skills of OHCD HFDC X X X
renters and rental strategies for owners and tenants
(F) [Spenser] Promote programs to increase homeownership OHCD HFDC X X X
opportunities
(G) Promote multi-family and special needs housing in HFDC/OHCD PD X X X
~~77..~~~~ village/town centers
[(14)] [Previ 1° low interest sliding seale loans F ' houusing _
[014CD] [COU] [X] [X]
.,...1 ro.-,...,mot; o..]
[0)] [mod] Propose amendments to the building code to
(14 allow occupancy of residential [dwelling] dwellings COU BD X
before final inspection
[(J)] Urge the State to increase local control over public LEG COU X X
(1) schools
Urge the State to establish a Hawaii Community LEG UH X
College/UH-Hilo satellite campus in Puna
3.4.3 JPublic Safety and Sanitation Services - - - -
(A) Develop permanent fire stations at[,] Hawaiian
Beaches/Shores, Hawaiian Paradise Park, lower Volcano, COU HFD X X
and Mt. View
(B) Provide additional volunteer stations in subdivisions as HFD NGOs X X X
sites become available and growth warrants
(C) [Pf-e~ ] Promote free wireless internet services COU,LEG FED X X
(D) Provide more emergency call boxes along State highways DOT X
(E) Encourage enhancement of cell phone service to cover LEG PUC X
remote areas
(F) Boost Department of Environmental Management COU DEM X X X
recycling budget
[(G)l [Releeate Kea'au -and- _P5_hA__as;()lid waste tranSfff station IDEMI [_X1
[(14)] Increase County resources to handle abandoned/derelict COU DEM X X X
LQ) car removal
5-25
IMPLEMENTATION
Res xousibilits Timetable Est. Cost
Section Action Item Lead Supporting 2008-12 2013-1712018-30 51.000(u00'
[(4)] Provide public financial support for infrastructure COU/FED DEM, DW X
(H) development within approved village/town centers
3.5.3 Parks and Recreation _
(A) Consider expanding the Camp Ground at MacKenzie DLNR DPR X 450
State Park to include public property south of MacKenzie
(B) Improve and expand Coastal Activity Areas as follows:
-Ahalanui Beach Park DPR COU X 925
-Consider modifications to tidepools beyond "Shacks" for DLNR X 185
use as "keiki pools"
-Pursue development of a camp ground and/or ocean
recreation park with potential boat launch ramp and DLNR LEG X TBD
marina facilities at Cape Kumukahi
-Consider acquisition and development of Honolulu DLNR, DPR, DPR, DLNR X TBD
Landing, Kapoho Crater and Sand Hill COU
-Develop support facilities for [Ka] Kehena Beach DLNR DPR X TBD
State Park
-Encourage development of hike/camp coastal trail system DLNR, DPR NGO X TBD
(C) Improve and expand Community Parks as follows:
-Develop new community parks in Hawaiian Acres, North
Kulani, Glenwood, [Nn°wale] Nanawale Estates,
Leilani Estates, Orchidland Estates, and Hawaiian DPR COU X TBD
Beaches subdivision
-Various improvements to [P-ahea] Pahoa Regional Park DPR COU X X X 3,750
-Various improvements to Shipman (Kea`au) Regional DPR COU X X X 3,300
Park
-New [regional] district park and various improvements DPR COU X X X 9,400
at Hawaiian Paradise Park
-Develop recreational programs for Cooper Center and DPR COU X
Volcano Community Park
-Provide improvements at Mountain View Community DPR COU X
Park and A. J. Watt Gym 185
-Expand hours of operation at regional and larger DPR COU X
community parks
-Develop a new senior center in Mountain View DPR OHCD X 1 185
-Provide in each village center a recreational park and DPR,NGOs COU X X
village green lil)
-Make recreation facilities and meeting rooms at public DOE DPR,NGOs X
schools available for community use after school hours
-Create small community parks as part of right-of-way
acquisition for new connecting road segments between DPW NGOs X X
subdivisions
(D) Create and improve Linear Parks as follows:
-When acquiring rights-of-way for constructing new
roadways or improving existing major roadways, make DPW,DOT COU X X
provisions for parallel multi-use recreational trails
-Complete development of Old Volcano Trail as a DPW COU X
pedestrian and cycle pathway
-Acquire former railroad right-of-way from Kapoho
through Hawaiian Paradise Park for hiking, bicycling and DPW DLNR X
horse-back riding
-Plan for acquisition and development of the former
railroad right-of-way from Hawaiian Paradise Park to DPW DLNR X
Railroad Avenue in Hilo
5-26
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Responsibility Timetable Est. Cost
Action Item
Section Lead Supporting 2008-12 2013-17 2018-30 S1,000 (200'
-Plan for public access along Old Government Road DLNR DPW X
(coastal trail) as a bicycle and hiking trail
(E) Create and improve Preserves as follows
-Assess appropriate level of site visitor usage and DLNR DPR X
implement self-guided or steward-led tours
-Improve conditions at Wai`opae Tidepools DLNR LEG X 6UU
-Consider acquiring Green Lake and vicinity for native DLNR LEG X TBD
habitat restoration and nature center
-Consider hiking trails through Nanawale DLNR X 300
Forest Reserve
-Pursue development of passive cultural/botanical park in DLNR DPR X TBD
Hawaiian Paradise Park
- _ _ - - L j - -
3.6.3 Energy Su stain ability
(A) Apply LEED standards for public buildings, with a BD COU X
minimum goal of silver level
(B) Investigate ground-water cooling for public buildings DBEDT DPW X -
(C) [Require] Promote energy efficiency standards for larger BD COU X X
residences
(D) Incorporate energy-efficient features into the construction OHCD,HFDC PLC X X X
of lower-cost homes with the use of public subsidies
(E) Establish a Renewable Energy Research & Development UH DBEDT/R&D
fund with UH-Hilo
(F) Apply the PUC Public Benefits Fund to retrofit dwellings
for alternative energy, with sliding scale to reach low- PUC COU,OHCD X X X
income households
(G) Negotiate a direct use of geothermal agreement for
agricultural uses as part of any expansion of the capacity HELCO,PUC R&D X
of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant
(H) Promote biomass energy and fuel production using wood PUC DBEDT,R&D X X X
chips from exotic trees
(I) Pursue new renewable energy sources (OTEC, wave PUC DBEDT,R&D X X
energy, solar capture) as technology advances
-Pursue [and] an ocean energy or enterprise subzone R&D DBEDT,PD X
-Pursue other applications besides energy capture (e.g., R&D DBEDT X X
aquaculture and agricultural product washing)
TR kNSPOR I' NTI0N
4.1.3 Traffic Demand Mana 3cment
i
(A) Promote VanPool and ride-sharing alternatives more DOT R&D,EMPL X
actively
(B) Promote staggered work hours and telecommuting with COU,UH EMPL X
major employers and institutions
(C) Facilitate telecommuting by developing free Wi-Fi COU,LEG FED X X 1 BD
reception in Puna
4.2.3 Mass transit - -
(A) Pre are a county-wide Transit Master Plan MTA FED TBD
(B) Improve transit service operations by: MTA FED
-Increasing transit service to a minimum of two additional MTA FED X 1,200
runs during peak hours
-Establish demand responsive transit in subdivisions MTA FED X TBD
-Provide commuter express bus service from [Pahea]
Pahoa to Hilo and Volcano to Hilo MTA FED X TBD
5-27
IMPLEMENTATION
Action Item Res ~onsibility Timetable Est. Cost
Section Lead Supporting 2008-12 2013-17 2018-30 $1,000 (20.0.7.
-Establish a hub-and-spoke transit system MTA FED X TBD
(C) Develop transit hubs at the following locations:
-Kea`au (Primary Hub) MTA FED X TBD
- [PAAa] Pahoa (Secondary Hub) MTA FED X
-Volcano (Secondary Hub) MTA FED X
-Mountain View (Secondary Hub) MTA FED X
(D) Provide ark-and-ride lots at transit hubs and HPP MTA FED X X
(E) Provide express bus service for commuters from [P-ahea] MTA FED X
Pahoa to Hilo and Volcano to Hilo
(F) Develop a cooperative program with public and private MTA DOE,LEG,NGOs X
schools to rovide student asses for the Hele-On Bus
(G) Launch public education campaign promoting transit MTA NGOs X X X
services
(H) Cultivate public/private partnerships, such as employer- MTA NGOs, EMPL X X X
sponsored bus passes
(I) Expand MTA staff to provide greater support for transit COU FIN,MTA X X
operations
(J) Investigate other fare/ticketing incentives to increase MTA FED X
-ridership
(K) Work with DOT in creating safe pedestrian conditions MTA DOT X X
for using mass transit
4.3.3 Roadway' NeMorl.
(A) Short Term (2008-2012)
-Plan and design PMAR alignment DPW DOT X
-Require building setbacks in HPP for potential PMAR PD DPW X
extension
-Establish emergency routes using mostly existing road DPW NGOs X
beds
-Include pedestrian and bicycling requirements in all DPW NGOs X
projects
-Create connectivity alignments between various DPW NGOs X
subdivisions
(B) Medium Term (2012-2017)
-Construct a two-lane roadway between Kaloli Dr and DPW NGO X 19,200
Kea`au
-Construct unpaved two-lane roadway between Kahakai DPW DLNR,NGO X 4,400
Blvd and HPP
-Construct a two-lane roadway from [Nana w^'°°]
Nanawale to Kahakai Blvd DPW NGO X 4,000
-Study need/feasibility of [Pahea] Pahoa-Hwy 11 and DPW DOT X
Hwy 11-Stainback Highway alternative routes
(C) Long Term (2017-2030)
-Construct Phase II segments of PMAR DPW DOT X 33,500
-Acquire additional right-of-way through HPP to extend DPW DOT X 1,700
PMAR
-If traffic demands, construct PMAR extension through DPW DOT X 23,000
HPP to connect to Kahakai Boulevard
4.43 Hi7hwaNs
(A) Short Term (2008-2012)
-Intersection improvements on Highways 11 and 130 DOT LEG/FED X x.500
-Reduce speed limit on Hwy 130 to 45mph (Kea`au
Bypass to Ainaloa Blvd) DOT LEG/FED X
5-28
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Action Item 12 es ~onsibilit~, Timetable Lst. Cost
.
Section Lead Supporting 2008-12 2013-17 2018-30 $1,000(200'
-Determine most effective ways to improve highway DOT LEG/FED X
safety for all travel modes
-Implement the Hwy 130 shoulder lane conversion project
between Kea`au Bypass and Shower Drive and consider DOT LEG/FED X 6,500
using the P lane as a reversible [lane-fer] lane for peak
periods
(B) Medium Term (2012-2017)
-Increase capacity on Hwy 130 between bypass road and DOT LEG/FED X , x.!)00
Ainaloa, based on optimal safety
-Construct a right exit lane on Hwy I 1 below [Keaau]
Kea`au Ag lots to [Keaau] Kea`au Village using the DOT LEG/FED X
existing Old Volcano Rd ROW
-Create a right hand turn lane from Hwy 132 onto Hwy DPW LEG/FED X
130
4.5.3 ,lion-Rlotorized'Lravel and Scenic By, Nat s
(A) Request that the STIP allocate a larger share of federal
"flex funds" to transit-related and alternative travel COU DOT,FED X X X
modes _
(B) Allocate funding to DPW for safe routes to schools/parks COU DPW X X X
iwith Kea`au improvements as a priority
(C) Invest in pedestrian-, bicycle- and parking-related COU DPW X X X
iin approved village/town centers
(D) Allocate funding to the HPD to monitor traffic operations COU HPD X X X
along safe routes to schools/ arks
(E) Complete surveys, acquisition of right-of-way,
maintenance agreements, planning and design, and DPW,DLNR COU,LEG X X 10,700
construction for multi-purpose trails
(F) Designate and improve Highway 137 (Red Road) as a DPW X X 1,100
Scenic Byway
5-29
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
September 2008
GLOSSARY
Action - A specific recommendation, such as a project or program, intended to implement a
policy or achieve an objective.
Community Village Center - An area intended for public/civic uses, or community-oriented
commercial uses and some higher density residential development within or immediately
surrounding the village center.
Density - The ratio of the number of dwelling or rental units to the gross land area of gross land
area.
Development Agreement - A written agreement for specified periods of time between the
County, any governmental entity or agency made a party thereto, and any person having a legal
or equitable interest in real property for the purpose of vesting the right to develop such property
in accordance with laws, ordinances, resolutions, rules, and policies of any governmental entity
or agency made party to the agreement in effect at the time such agreement is executed, and for
the purpose of delineating development requirements that may include, but are not limited to,
affordable housing, design standards, water allocations, dedications of real or personal property,
on-site and off-site infrastructure and other development related improvements and government
services, which shall be approved by resolution of the County Council and executed by the
Mayor on behalf of the County.
Emergency Access - Unpaved public or private roadways that are accessible to the public only
during an emergency when the normal roadway infrastructure is closed or an emergency
evacuation is necessary.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - An informational document prepared in compliance
with Chapter 343, [Hari] Hawaii Revised Statutes, and/or the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) that discloses the environmental and social impacts of a proposed action on the
community and state, measures proposed to minimize adverse effects, and provides alternatives
to the action.
Goal - A desired outcome expressed in simple terms that describes the desired end state.
Important Agricultural Lands - LUPAG designation for lands 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] Hawai`i
(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
U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service's study for suitability for various crops.
- State agricultural parks.
i
IMPLEMENTATION
Kanaka - Hawaiian term for "people", which in modern context is shorthand reference to
"kanaka maoli", meaning [to] the people who trace their ancestry to the period prior to Hawai`i's
contact with the West.
Keiki - Hawaiian term for "children" or "child".
Land Pooling - A technique whereby a group of neighboring landowners enter into a
partnership for the unified planning, servicing, and subdivision of their lands; with the project
costs and benefits shared among the landowners.
Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) - The LUPAG Map in the County of Hawaii
General Plan indicates the general location of various land uses in relation to each other.
L.E.E.D (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) - A certification program that
confers awards for buildings that conserve resources such as energy, water, and open space.
Makai - Hawaiian term for "towards the sea."
Mauka - Hawaiian term for "inland, upland, towards the mountain."
Mixed Use - A land use pattern that integrates compatible residential, commercial, industrial,
office, institutional, or other land uses.
Neighborhood Village Center - An area intended for public/civic uses, single-family and
multiple-family residential uses or small scale neighborhood oriented villa e commercial uses.
The commercial uses are of a small scale and are intended to serve the needs of the village
residents.
Off-the-Grid - Buildings that are not connected to the public utility electrical system. These
structures typically use on-site renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines
to generate their own electricity.
Objective - An objective is a desired endpoint that leads toward accomplishing a goal.
Open Space - Undeveloped land or water body which is free of structures and equipment,
except for those that are [neidextal] incidental to the land's open space uses. Open space may
include the following: flood protection, creating a sense of special separation [€-e] from
incompatible land uses, areas for agricultural operations, passive recreation, active recreation,
conservation uses, or historical site preservation.
Park-Once Lots - Parking lots that serve several uses within convenient walking distance,
reducing the necessity to drive in order to make short trips between the uses.
Pedestrian Way - This is a public right-of-way through a block between lots for pedestrian
traffic. The right-of-way has a maximum width of twenty feet and may also be used as a utility
easement.
Policy - A deliberate plan of action to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes.
Potential Dwelling Units - The number of dwelling units that can be developed on a piece of
property based on the zoning classification.
ii
i
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
September 2008
Regional Town Center - A concentrated area intended for mixed use, higher density residential,
retail, commercial employment, and/or regional one-of-a-kind facilities such as major civic,
medical, education, and entertainment facilities.
Ride Share (Van Pooling) - Transportation of more than one person for commute purposes in a
motor vehicle, with or without the assistance of a commuter matching service.
Right-of-Way - A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription, or
condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, water line, sanitary sewer, and /or
other public utilities or facilities.
Roads in Limbo - Roads over which there is a jurisdictional dispute between the County and the
State of Hawaii concerning responsibility for repair, maintenance and operation. The problems
resulting from this dispute are documented in a 1989 study by the State of Hawaii Legislative
Reference Bureau's titled Roads in Limbo: an Analysis of the State-County Jurisdictional
Dispute.
[Transfei-of-Development Rights The transfer- o -allli=vvable dwelling is or- othe
111
EXHIBIT A
Figure 3-2: Proposed Town and Village Center Locations
0 2.5 5 10 Miles q`is
f M1l•_ 4 ~ Fula^1'.n,
j r~ HILV~
r a.; s
t
f A ~
I may, ~S,\
t KG4.AU
KM111 1-11..
`Ii,N•, 11
R,, U1~1 f le VeEan
oac nul nu V~ `
un7A1s vu:a• , r
V IIO,w ,
o ! M J
Ii:.A'Ktx)U V A , I ;(u ~~u (Yy ~4- fA[ES 1!A ilu -"'~y.
j a„ _ hq
ua II?
G, 7A7LS1i1
R~
1. IN ~
L, KANIhN11111KAH
Y
01
i Village Centers
>r
Q Regional
40 Community
o Neighborhood
? Future Location Subject
to Community Review
,nis may vwua nal ce sea m, eperal enay» oeye~a
ma umre of Ine ears aregmea. i a. oounm
Amending Chapter 3, Section 3.1.3, Figure 3-2 to denote the Maku`u Community Village Center
with a red dot in the location of the existing Maku`u Farmer's Market.
EXHIBIT B
Figure 4-1: Proposed Transportation Corridor Improvements
0 2.6 5 I P.i!les
!tie n>akal
+01d Puna Tra'I
-Al
Td,Hi!o Mauka e '
\ i3 14.110, 13G
Tc 1~lt -1301
D c ~C21a i~r ,
Ln^ea~.
4 C%Daei C.
t
lK` \\7 . rr.ro a do
LLTi! (tr
l
Intetsedinn Improvements
PutunGal Ex!uisiun;Cunncctiuo
i - Phase I PNAAR
Phase 11 PMAR
Street Ccmnectrzr
Scenic Curridois
- - Trail
- SceoicCurridot Unpaved
- - Trail Aligimicrd
To Be Determined
Amending Chapter 4, Section 4.5.3, Figure 4-1 to denote the Maku`u Farmer's Market
intersection with Highway 130 with a red dot. The market entrance is on the makai side of the
highway just south of the dot for `Ainaloa Boulevard.
EXHIBIT C
Figure 5-1: Kea`au Regional Town Center
•
- 01 1~1
111 ' + , ~
rl Kvxm Regional V ~j B
a Jr
y~
31
A
, / e Vii, Keaau Regional
1
Town Center
j Boundary
- 0 Counmuniiv Facilities
1 -f Ira . r - Sl.la l Jrhan
C3 :5,k"4
sS V%ir'[ing Zoning
~y,y ,rj ~~.r•:-,--~-- ~ Cnmml;rainl ""/_nnc
Residential Zone
Communigl G~5~4 /f
InJusU'ial Gone
Agricultural Zone
Z~; c o.s f -In Open Zone
i _
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-1 by expanding the boundary line (dotted line) to
include the entire industrial zone and changing the boundary title in the map legend to "Keaau
Regional Town Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT D
Figure 5-2: Pahoa Regional Town Center
4S~
Pahoa Regional VC'~
•
~ri••.r i.rir•.•.r p•'i' ~ ~
~ • • ti~~~f?~S•
~ [In'. '.1m+km ~ • ~.*m,?i • ~,Qn7fllU llll'l
tii•rrrrrr¦• i. .ri-ri-_ wui (i l.ef• CS
kC~f Olt y¦
® SLU Urban
Existing;%unint
- Commercial Zone
Residential Zone
Q Agricultural 'Lone
Pahoa Regional Town
\(Z o oxs os Center BOLindary
® Community Facilities
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-2 by changing the boundary title in the map legend
to "Pahoa Regional Town Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT E
Figure 5-3: Hawaiian Paradise Park Regional Town Center and Village Centers
" I•lawaiian Paradise [lark Regional,
Community, and Neighborhood VC Z
F~~, 71r, i,
- U-i
I o 1,v V(` T (q!"
Zr ~ ~ _ _ 7 - 11j _
r 1 - 1
Hawaiian Paradise
1 'Park Regional Town
Center and village
Center boundary
0 Coni nuniFaciliti~
- ry 's
_ - ~ Existing Zoning
-j _ c xt A-rirultural Zone
y o a,a us Open Zone
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-3 by changing the boundary title in the map legend
to "Hawaiian Paradise Park Regional Town Center and Village Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT F
Figure 5-4: Volcano Community Village Center
A I
Voll'anu Communitv VC
- = Klauai ke ° ,
.f now
0 • i mrvoleano'Rd ' Ht!wajj Kett Rd (Ma?adlahoo tt~•
806
.roI -
y _ C
Q ~ 1
Volcano Community
Village Center Boundary
® Community Facility
EM 5LU Urban
Evicting bining
Q Agricultural/Open Zone
Commere.inl Zone
d! n n:.. s Residential Zone
' 'Is
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-4 by expanding the boundary line (dotted line that
is far left of the map) and changing the boundary title in the map legend to "Volcano Community
Village Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT G
Figure 5-5: Mountain View Community Village Center
tti
Mountzin \rje%v Community XIC
irk ¦ j
i
1 ~ f •
~P a e r f:~ •
s ¦ q~m~re ~
14 ~
• Iwi,p~ fff P
r"mot
~~¦:f.¦f.¦rf Mountain View
~,i,••,•••,•.f.f.•f.• CammurityVillage
• • • Center Boundary
it
ED SLU Urban
is Gzioing zoning
} - Commercial Lon.
Industrial Zone
Renidential Zone
[ open Zone
.t, a 2" 30i lam ` Agricultural Tone
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-5 by changing the boundary title in the map legend
to "Mountain View Community Village Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT H
Figure 5-6: Kurtistown Community Village Center
Kutlistown Community VC
• • •
%
x
•
• ~e
Ktutistown
Community
;Village Center
Boundary
M SI_U Urban
Existing Zoning
=n Commercial Zone
Residential Zone
Open 'Lone
N a so No IND Agricultural Zone
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-6 by changing the boundary title in the map legend
to "Kurtistown Community Village Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT I
Figure 5-7: Maku`u Community Village Center
J...........
Tti I I
Makuu Community VC j
¦
¦
¦
.eons.??
¦
¦
¦
K
Maku'u Community
Village Center
Boundan~
Existing Zoning
F.~
M no I.o F
o
Agriculture Zone
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3 by inserting a new map as Figure 5-7 indicating the boundary
lines for Maku`u Community Village Center.
EXHIBIT J
Figure 5-8: `Ainaloa Neighborhood Village Center
Ainaloa Neighborhood C t /
v
c
Q
4i
w _
E n f
Ain alo a
Neighborhood
Village Center
,Boundary
o Propsed 11edcsu inn/
Bikeway Easment
f ximing honing
' - Open "Lone.
~l R'ca1
Agricultural Zone
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-7 by renumbering it to Figure 5-8 and changing the
boundary title in the map legend to "Ainaloa Neighborhood Village Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT K
Figure 5-9: Hawaiian Beaches Neighborhood Village Center
' f \K~I
11an:iiian l'lracltes ldrie;htiorhaud 1F1"'
3Pi4ati 6
S~ r
+
•
•
« H awaii an B e aches
ti:rs:iT+:+.r..• Neighborhood
"Village Center
Boundary
~ Cammwiiw foclities
.."yl„1~ IJrk~:+n
h+ n .rn sea t.mo ® iki*uliural lone
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-8 by renumbering it to Figure 5-9 and changing the
boundary title in the map legend to "Hawaiian Beaches Neighborhood Village Center
Boundary."
EXHIBIT L
Figure 5-10: Orchidland Neighborhood Village Center
C?mhidlnnd Neighborhood VC
x
jj
*news r.•.•.¦•i •
•
•
•
•
U'1 ¦ q
m • m
•
• n r •
•
¦
•
•
.
•
•
¦¦¦¦•••••¦¦u a i••.¦.••. a ¦.rr.
Ordndland
„ I Neighborhood
:.DVillage Cer>t.er
Boundary
EXistior 7.oning
.y a ISO 9e I'm ~ Agricultvsal Zoo
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-9 by renumbering it to Figure 5-10 and changing
the boundary title in the map legend to "Orchidland Neighborhood Village Center Boundary."
EXHIBIT M
Figure 5-11: Nanawale Neighborhood Village Center
3
1r ~ Y
i R4f'~
Nanawale Estates Neighborhood VC
: i
K
s
M C
:
i :
+ i
;
: ;
Nanawale
;
' Neighborhood
,....:Village Center
a t
Boundary
Existing Zoning
Residential Zone
Oren Zone
IF*W
y1/ a no I I sno I 000 Agriculture Zone
Amending Chapter 5, Section 5.2.3, Figure 5-10 by renumbering it to Figure 5-11 and changing
the boundary title in the map legend to "Nanawale Neighborhood Village Center Boundary."