PD RECOMMENDATION REPORT (PL-SMA-2023-000038)

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Lastly, the proposed development is consistent with the Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP). The KCDP (as amended)was adopted by the Hawaii County Council by Ordinance No. 19-91 on September 18, 2019, and guides decisions within the Kona Urban Area and surrounding regions. The project site is located within an area adequately served with essential services such as water, electricity, and telephone. Wastewater will be directed to the existing sewer line along Ali`i Drive, and stormwater will be retained on site via drywells or other supporting structures. Additionally, the DEM-Wastewater Division is requiring a sewer study be completed and approved by the DEM prior to connecting to the County sewer line. The applicant will be responsible for constructing additional sewer lines or other facility improvements as is required by the Director of DEM. Additionally, DEM-Solid Waste Division is requiring a Solid Waste Management Plan be submitted and approved by DEM prior to occupancy of the hotel. Staff notes that according to the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), they have concerns on whether existing Department of Water Supply(DWS) capacity can meet the additional proposed demand of 22,000 gpd for the hotel. Should any new water source (wells) development be necessary to meet this demand, the CWRM has concerns about the new source impacts on native hawaiian traditional and customary rights as well as groundwater dependent ecosystems that could be impacted. While there are no anticipated traffic impacts from the proposed project, the pedestrian access around the subject parcel will be improved. The applicant has stated that the design incorporates a 7-foot-wide sidewalk to accommodate pedestrians along Ali`i Drive and Kahakai Road.However,according to the Department of Public Works,"DPW's current sidewalk is 8 feet wide rather than the proposed 7-foot-wide sidewalk." The applicant addressed this comment stating that the 8-foot-wide sidewalk along Alii Drive is feasible, however, it is not feasible for the sidewalk along Kahakai Road which is a much narrower right-of-way than Ali`i Drive. The development will to the extent feasible, reasonably protect native Hawaiian rights if they are found to exist. In view of the Hawaii State Supreme Court's "PASH" and "Ka Pa'akai O Ka'Aina" decisions, the issue relative to native Hawaiian -6-