1971 GENERAL PLAN -Original - ORD 1971-439

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Plan Implementation One of the most critical phases of the planning program is the implemen- tation of the General Plan. It is the use of the plan rather than its mere existence which is of benefit. Public understanding and support are vitally necessary as the responsibility for the development of the island of Hawaii rests not only with the administrative and legislative branches of the County but with all people who live here. Widespread discussion will promote the understanding of unique and innovative concepts which are presented in the plan. Effectuation of the General Plan will require the amendment and adoption of the Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the standards and criteria enumer- ated in the plan (land use allocation and reallocation); amendment and adoption of the Subdivision Ordinance (design and density standards); adoption of the Capital Improvements Program (public improvements and facilities) and the County operational budget (public programs and services); adoption of ordi- nances pertaining to the preservation of historic sites and areas of natural beauty; initiation of State Land Use District changes; creation of natural area preserves; adoption of shoreline setback and use regulations; and other related ordinances and regulations. The following procedure is required to insure the implementation of the General Plan: The General Plan should be widely distributed for review, discussion, and comments. Community associations in each district should be requested to serve as review and advisory bodies to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission should hold public hearings in the principal communities throughout the County. After the completion of the public hearings, the Planning Commission can suggest modifications to the Planning Director and/or submit the General Plan with recommendations to the Mayor for transmittal to the County Council. After its deliberation, the Council can adopt the General Plan by ordinance as the official County of Hawaii policy. After the enactment of the General Plan Ordinance, the Planning Depart- ment shall prepare drafts of proposed ordinances to assist in the effectua- tion of the General Plan. These drafts shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and recommendations prior to transmittal to the Council for consideration and action. The County administration should prepare a Capital Improvements Pro- gram which will insure that all County projects are in accord with the Gen- eral Plan. The CIP shall be submitted to the Council for consideration and action. Federal and State agencies should be officially requested to recognize the General Plan for the County of Hawaii in the formulation and implementa- tion of their projects and programs. Detailed plans should be prepared by the Planning Department for adminis- trative purposes and for the Planning Commission. These will show current and proposed public and private capital improvements and services, exist- ing zoning, areas appropriate for allocative land use acreage and any other information which will assist the Planning Department and Commission to implement the General Plan. The General Plan for the County of Hawaii should be thoroughly reviewed at intervals of not more than ten years. Land use acreage allocation should be reviewed at intervals of not more than five years. All review processes shall be a joint effort of the communities, residents, and the County govern- ment. PROFILE OF THE COUNTY The County of Hawaii encompasses the island of Hawaii, which is the southeasternmost and largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago. Commonly referred to as the Big Island, the land area of Hawaii is nearly twice the com- bined size of all the other islands of the State. The island of Hawaii is a land of diverse climate, topography, and scenic beauty. Environments range from dense tropical forests to majestic snow- capped mountains. There are active volcanoes, black, white, and green sand beaches, deeply eroded valleys, and large expanses of grazing land. The island may have been the first of the group to be inhabited by the Polynesians. Tracings which date back to 750 A.D. have been found in the South Point area. Captain James Cook, the first European to set foot in Hawaii, met his death at Kealakekua Bay in 1779. The Hawaiian monarch who united all Hawaii under one rule, Kamehameha the Great, was born in Kohala and died in Kona. The entire island is rich in historical lore. Throughout the County's history, agriculture has played an important economic role. There were many ventures and experiments and sugar produc- tion and cattle ranching emerged as leaders of the modern agricultural industry. In recent years other forms of diversified agriculture, principally macadamia nuts, papaya, and flowers, have experienced substantial growth. Most manu- facturing concerns on the island are closely associated with the agricultural industry. In the past decade a new major industry, tourism, has emerged. Much of the economic growth experienced during this period can be linked with the ex- pansion of the visitor industry. The County's population, numbering 63,468 in the 1970 census, consists of people from various ethnic backgrounds. No majority ethnic grouping is found on the island. This can be seen in the following percentages of ethnic backgrounds represented: Japanese, 39.9%; Caucasian, 15.0%; Filipino, 9.6%; Hawaiian, 2.6%; Puerto Rican, 1.9%; Chinese, 1.2%; Part Hawaiian, 18.9%; Cos- mopolitan and others not reported, 10.9%. This diversity is largely the result of the practice started by sugar plantations over a century ago of importing im- migrant workers. The first laborers were the Chinese, followed by the Japanese and the Portuguese, and more recently, the Filipinos. The plantations had and still exert a large influence on the economic and social lives of many Big Islanders. The 1970 census count of population was the first to show an increase of people in the County since 1930. Population in modern history peaked at 73,325 during that year, largely the result of importing labor into the island. After World War II, however, plantations began an intensive program of mechanization which substantially reduced the demand for labor. Since there were few alternative forms of economic and educational opportunities, a sizable out -migration of residents, especially the younger segment of the population, occurred between 1940 and 1960. This was reversed between 1960 and 1970.