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<br /> <br />unique features as well as identifying common features, and applying those commonalities to <br />further inform the General Plan. <br />Mr. William Watkins encouraged members of the community not to lose hope in the system, but <br />to continue to push forward with the changes they would like to see within their communities. Mr. <br />Watkins emphasized that this planning process is intended to be a discussion between the public <br />and the Planning Department and encouraged the public to hold fast with the General plan as well <br />as the CDPs. <br />Committee Member, Elmer Solis, questioned the role of the Action Committee in moving forward <br />with implementation and what authority the Action Committee will have during the <br />implementation phase. <br />Committee Member Yumi Kawano asked how we can implement what we have already planned <br />and how to get the entire community involved while promoting the protection of the forest. <br />Committee Member Kawano stated that NRCS will provide funding to individuals to restore native <br />forests and install pig fences to protect their restoration efforts. <br />Ms. Lickfelt stated that she would like to see more of a focus on connectivity within communities <br />and would like to see an emergency access route that passes through Fern Forest and Eden Rock. <br />Ms. Lickfelt and other members of her community believe it is important to have connectivity <br />within the subdivision communities, which will foster a stronger sense of communication and <br />collaboration within those communities. <br />Director Yee stated that there is a new team of planners working on this General Plan <br />comprehensive update than during the last update. Director Yee stated that we have an <br />opportunity with Mayor Harry Kim, who is highly supportive of the CDPs. Director Yee stated that <br />he is here to help fight for community resources and to get government to invest in the things that <br />are the most important to the communities. Director Yee stated that the Planning Department can <br />prioritize the CIPs to align with the scope of the CDPs. The current administration is focusing much <br />more closely on the CDPs, and the staff is very dedicated to working collaboratively with the <br />community as well as the other County Departments. <br />Chair Larry Brown questioned how we will increase the availability of resources as well as increase <br />the level of authority given to the Action Committees. He would like to see the Action Committees <br />have more authority because of the lack of local government, and stated that the members of <br />these communities do not have a voice other than through the CDPs. <br />Mr. Sullivan replied that clarifying the community’s voice is an intent of the plan. <br />Chair Brown expressed his concern that the ideals being presented by the planning department <br />under this administration might not be the same under a new administration. <br />Mr. Sullivan replied that we are working to codify the standards that we are currently developing <br />for the CDPs to provide more consistency between administrations. <br />Ms. Bethany Morrison explained that this General Plan will be approved by County Council, as well <br />as any code amendments that are required to enact this planning system. The Planning <br />Department is focused on codifying changes to create predictability for the CDPS and for the <br />communities themselves. Ms. Morrison announced a special meeting in October for the Puna CDP <br />at the Keaʻau community center <br />www.hiplanningdept.com puna@hawaiicounty.gov Page 4 <br /> <br />