2024-11-20 Kupuna for the Mo'opuna

Home

Director Kern February 28, 2024 Page 2 2. Likewise, DHHL requests that its 2022 DHHL General Plan Update be referenced and / or included in the 2045 County General Plan Update either as an appendices or other appropriate section of the County General Plan. The 2022 DHHL General Plan Update identifies land use designations that the HHC may apply to Hawaiian Home Lands. The DHHL General Plan should be a reference to the County. A copy can be found here: https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/general-plan/ 3. The 2045 County General Plan Update should have specific policies that articulate that DHHL Plans (DHHL General Plan, DHHL Hawaii Island Plan, DHHL Regional Plans) will be the authority on land use that will guide County policy regarding land uses and projects surrounding DHHL lands. DHHL beneficiaries have expressed strong concern with County policies or actions that may encourage land uses that are detrimental to homestead communities. For example, the recently introduced County Council Bill 107 related to an alternate route study for the proposed Puna Bypass Road did not appear to consider DHHL testimony and the testimonies of its beneficiaries to exclude routes from the study that traverse over lands under the jurisdiction of DHHL. Furthermore, there continues to be harmful uses near DHHL homestead lands, particularly in Hilo, that pose a health and safety issue to our Hilo homestead communities. The County General Plan should emphasize that the County should adopt policies to phase these uses out over time. DHHL does note and appreciates that the County Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) recommends agriculture-related designations for lands bordering the Panaewa homestead community to the east. DHHL would like the County to strongly consider non-industrial uses in its LUPAG for lands that border DHHL's King's Landing Tract. Those lands are currently being considered for future homesteading and DHHL is currently going through a planning process to settle these lands. 4. DHHL strongly encourages the County to begin its process to develop a County Community Development Plan (CDP) for the South Hilo District. The South Hilo District includes these DHHL homestead communities: Keaukaha, Panaewa, Kaumana, Piihonua, King's Landing, and the future Honomu Homestead community.