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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PC 2021/03/17 2020-2022 Committee on Planning 5th Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawai i March 17, 2021 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Planning was called to order at ORDER: 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Kona, by Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair (via videoconference from Hilo) Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Vice Chair (came in later) Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member (via videoconference from Hilo) (came in later) Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member (via videoconference from Hilo) Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member (via videoconference from Hilo) Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member (via videoconference from Hilo) Absent& Excused: Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Charles Flaherty: Comm. 161, comment. Comm. 162, comment. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, I'll be closing public testimony at this time and moving on to business of the day. Mr. Clerk, if we could start with Comm. 161, please? COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 161: NOMINATION OF DANA ASIS TO THE LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated February 24, 2021, requesting the Council's review and confirmation. Requires Council Confirmation by: April 10, 2021 (Section 13-4(k), Hawaii County Charter) PC-5 March 17,2021 Vote on Comm. 161: Mr. Richards moved to recommend confirmation of the (Approved) appointment of Ms. Dana Asis to the Leeward Planning Commission. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member David— 1. Excused: None. Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience. Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment. Chair Kierkiewicz informed Ms. Asis that she does not need to appear before the full Council for final confirmation. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Mr. Clerk, moving on to Comm. 162, please? Comm. 162: NOMINATION OF CLEMENT KANUHA, III, TO THE LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated February 24, 2021, requesting the Council's review and confirmation. Requires Council Confirmation by: April 10, 2021 (Section 13-4(k), Hawaii County Charter) CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Can I have a motion to forward the nomination of Clement Kanuha, III to the Leeward Planning Commission to Council with a favorable recommendation? Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Clement Kanuha, III to the Leeward Planning Commission. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Bartolome, could you please introduce the nominee? (Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome and nominee Clement Kanuha, III came forward to address the members of the Committee.) Page 2 PC-5 March 17,2021 MS. BARTOLOME: Sure. It is my honor and pleasure to nominate on behalf of Mayor Mitch Roth, Mr. Clement Kanuha, III of North Kona to our Leeward Planning Commission. Mr. Kanuha has been a resident of Hawaii for 37 years. Currently a business owner and an active community service member, he has contributed numerous hours of service towards the Betty Kanuha Foundation, Mauli Ola Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Surfers Healing Foundation. He is also a graduate of West Hawaii Explorations Academy, a professional surf athlete eager to serve and give back to our community and aina. Mr. Kanuha is respected by the community, he's community oriented, community-minded. If confirmed, he will represent North Kona to serve a term to end December 31st 2025. Mahalo CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Ms. Bartolome. Aloha Mr. Kanuha, thank you for joining us in Kona. I did want to give you the opportunity to introduce yourself and share with the committee, your motivations for wanting to serve on this commission. MR. KANUHA: Aloha kakahiaka kakou. My name is Clement Kanuha. Good morning to the Commission and the Council. Pomai, mahalo nui. Yes, kind of what you said. I've served our community for many, many years doing many different projects here. I look forward to serving our community, you know, through this Planning Commission. In regards to some of the comments that came out about the law, I work like vigorously with Mr. Vitousek. I work with my partner Clay Kinney, who's a lawyer as well to understand and know everything that's going in here, in the community and the County of Hawaii; and then, our State. And I just look forward to, you know, if being on this board; being able to move things forward in the right light for development here in our community and on the Island of Hawaii. Mahalo. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you Mr. Kanuha. Opening it up to questions and comments from my colleagues. Let's start in Kona. MR. INABA: Mahalo Chair, Holeka. I just wanted to say, Mr. Kanuha, thank you for applying and being willing to serve our community here in this capacity, and I trust that you will do your homework and do the right things for our community like you said. So, mahalo again. Page 3 PC-5 March 17,2021 MR. KANUHA: Mahalo. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Anyone else in Kona? MS. VILLEGAS: Yes, please. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Villegas, go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. Aloha, CJ, thank you for being here today. MR. KANUHA: Good morning, Becca. MS. VILLEGAS: Just a couple of questions. I see here and I appreciate, Pomai, that you did not redact the list of commissions and boards as the first, you know, preferred for second; first, second and third. I wondered why, because the Leeward Planning Commission is huge, it's major. The decisions that get made dictate a lot of really influential directions for our community. And I see here, also, that you put the Kona Community Development Action Plan; the Kailua Village Design Commission. And I guess I'm just wondering and perhaps this is a better question for Pomai, why one of those commissions weren't chosen as a starting off point for you in participating. I know myself, even running for office, there's so much to learn. There's so many nuances. I don't have a masters in Planning, you know, all these different things. So I wondered, Pomai, why it was chosen. And I'm so excited that you are stepping into this role to serve our community. Husband, father, congratulations by the way on your little boy. But I just wondered at the thought process behind assigning Mr. Kanuha in this new capacity of service within our County Government to this specific commission? MS. BARTOLOME: Well, he showed interest in the Leeward Planning Commission, and so I honored that. I don't know if that's a question for me to answer. Maybe that's a question for him. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay,just one second. But yesterday when we were talking to Kimo and three prior choices were redacted, and those were his first choices and he was assigned to the last choice. That was something that was kind of stated by you, is that after vetting you decide the best placement based on what the community needs. And are there positions available on the Kailua Village Design Commission or the Development Plan Action Committee? Page 4 PC-5 March 17,2021 MS. BARTOLOME: So to my knowledge, the CDP's (Community Development Plan) right now are put on hold. And I was told not to fill the CDP's. And the Kailua Village Development Plan, that commission right now, we do have vacancies. The only person that I know that terms out 2022 is Riley Smith. The other vacancies, that is another commission, I think. The Kailua Development Plan is a commission. MS. VILLEGAS: The Kailua Village Design Commission? MS. BARTOLOME: Yeah. So the Kailua Village because you're asking about that and the CDP, right? MS. VILLEGAS: Yeah, the Kona Development Action Plan Committee, which I know just sent out an email that they're having a meeting on the 22nd MS. BARTOLOME: Right, because there are also some conversations going on about if it's worth pursuing continuing this commission? So I don't want to place anyone on a committee or commission if we're not certain if that commission or committee is something that we want to continue. And again, there's been conversations and so I was told not to fill these vacancies right now because of that. So then, the only other choice or vacancy for Mr. Kanuha would have been the Leeward Planning Commission. And so with regards to that and then also, you know, his interest in wanting to serve, I honored that. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you for explaining that. Can I just repeat it back to you so I can make sure that I understand? So,there is no vacancy on the Kailua Village Design Commission? MS. BARTOLOME: There is vacancy on that commission. But again, I was told, there's conversations being held right now to try to figure out if that is a commission that we want to continue pursuing or continue having active, because we're trying to figure out if it's something—kind of like the CDP's right—if it's actionable; if it's worth having. So again, Kailua Village Design and Community Development Plan Action Committee is currently on hold in terms of filling vacancies. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, for starters, that is incredibly concerning. And I hope there are constituents listening right now, because that is incredibly concerning that that is even being discussed. But going back to CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Villegas, one second, I have the Planning Director here, and I do want to hear from him directly on the thinking of this Administration around taking a moment to pause and recalibrate how we engage community in implementing the Community Development Plans. I think its best that we hear from him to provide the best available information Page 5 PC-5 March 17,2021 for this discussion. Pomai, do you mind if we get the Director to weigh in? Thank you. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. (Note: At this time, Planning Director Zendo Kern came forward to address the members of the Committee). MR. KERN: Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the Planning Committee. Zendo Kern, Planning Director. Yeah,just to shed some additional information to the discussion. So we're coming in here and the CDP Action Committees, we're going through a little bit of a pivot in the sense of working towards empowering the Action Committees to take action within their communities. That's different than what they have been doing, which has been a little bit more advisory. And so the feedback over this time has been, and this is coming from the previous Administration as well, how do we get more active? How do we get more engaged? How do we utilize this resource? So that's where we're making this pivot and taking a little bit of a pause. Anytime you're going to make a pivot, in my mind, if you can you take a little bit of a pause. So that's what's happening now, as we want to get this set up, so when we get the new AC (Action Committee) members coming in, we're actually moving in that direction and have the framework for them to take action. As far as the Kailua Village Design Committee, we are looking at it. It has some challenges. It's been stood up. I think one of the last projects took about three years to get through. That's not really acceptable and we want to see things progressing. Obviously we have to have, you know, the processes in place. So at this time, it didn't make sense to continue to pursue that at the moment. And we have a very willing, dedicated member of our community that wants to serve on the Leeward Planning Commission. And I think that's the most appropriate place for him to be. Point of Information: MS. LEE LOY: Chair, point of information for the Director. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: I'll allow it, go ahead. MS. LEE LOY: Director, relating to the Kailua Village Design Commission, isn't there some subject matter expertise required for that? Because my understanding is there is a need for someone in building and construction; someone who understands architecture, landscaping because the Kailua Village Design group, my understanding is they look at the overall look and feel and drive that into the plans. Would you mind expanding a little bit on why maybe this Page 6 PC-5 March 17,2021 candidate might not fit some of the requirements of the Kailua Village Design Committee? MR. KERN: Yeah, you're right Councilwoman, there is the requirements. I don't have that right on the top of my mind, but it is stacked with various subject matter experts. And again, stepping back to look at that is something that we're doing. I would say it's not the highest priority as far as say, Energov, and getting the other commissions going. So that's something that we are really stepping into and giving a comprehensive look at again before we make these next moves or any changes or pivots. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Director. Ms. Villegas, I hope that information is helpful. Do you have any more questions for the Director? MS. VILLEGAS: I do, thank you. First off, it's concerning to hear you say that because of development or something it took two years that therefore, now the Kailua Village Design Commission needs to be revamped or pivoted on, when it's very common for things to take a period of time. The Kailua Village Design Commission was a stopgap for our town to make sure that developers and developments take into consideration the goals and parameters outlined by our special and unique community, which is Kailua-Kona. One of the things they've dealt with is a small corporate hotel, and becoming a filter to make sure that the building of that hotel and the location and the way that it is incorporated into our Kailua Village do not negatively impact that space. I suppose what I'm seeing here, and I'm just going to have to this is not fun because I know CJ. We've worked together for years, decades in fact. But I'm seeing discrepancy in the standards that are being utilized to vet and allocate people to boards and commissions just blatantly, by redacting the listed boards and commissions for somebody nominated yesterday and showing them today, and then stating that somebody needs special qualifications to be on the Kailua Village Design Commission, and yet the Leeward Planning Commission is a Commission of that much more need, and that much more understanding of a professional planner. And I know that other nominees from District 7, and no offense to you, Mr. Kanuha, were provided; those with Master Degrees in Planning. And no formalized education does not supersede the cultural knowledge and the integrity and the na`au that resides within Mr. Kanuha and his legacy, and his family's legacy, of service here on the west side of the Big Island and in Kona, specifically. Page 7 PC-5 March 17,2021 But I would be remiss not to point out the discrepancies in this procedure of vetting and assigning, and whether or not someone is interested versus qualified. And as we enter a phase of potential boom and growth in District 7, it behooves the Planning Department and those involved in the processes of lining up the people in these boards and commissions to have some consistency in the standards and the process that they are using in order to do so. I asked for a list of the roles and positions in District 7 on boards and commissions at the very beginning, and I never received anything. It would be very helpful as a representative of a district to know and to be able to work more succinctly with the Administration in that capacity. That's something that happened in the prior Administration even when I was new to this capacity. And I'm not seeing that now, and it concerns me. And with that, I'll come back to you Mr. Kanuha, and my apologies to you, but this happens to be something that is broader and bigger issue which is raising concerns for myself and a number of other members of the community. You're a dad, you know, it's not fun. You know,you got to do things that we don't always want to do. But I thank you for being here and for being willing to stand the test, and the fire, and the questions. Because this is a huge role. MR. KANUHA: Sure, could I address you for what your question was? MS. VILLEGAS: Please. MR. KANUHA: The reason why I'm sitting here is, and you asked about qualifications. I don't know if you realize what I'm doing here in our community and how many businesses I own now; the businesses I own in Japan. I work hard and frivolous to make sure that we conserve this community with understanding of all of our County laws. But kind of going back to what you asked, why am I sitting here? I'm here to serve the community on the Planning Commission. Yes, it's huge. Yes, it's a big ask. The people that were in these positions have asked me to come here because they see the future and what's bright. Kind of like, I would ask you when you first ran for County Council, did you have experience in County Council? Same type of thing. We took a shot, you've done very well. Same with me. Anything that comes forward on our Planning Commission to build our community, not only District 7 but Hawaii Island as a whole, I'm there to serve this community. And the reason why I want to be here—maybe I don't have a Master's degree, but I'm very smart. I work with lawyers every single day. My partner and business partner that I own multiple businesses with is a lawyer. Page 8 PC-5 March 17,2021 So understanding our County law and making sure things move forward in the best process it possibly can, that's why I wanted to serve our community and our County. I didn't come here just to waste anyone's time and waste my time. So, you know, I understand your concerns and I thank you guys for the opportunity and the time. Thank you. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you, CJ, I appreciate you clarifying. And I know, your legacy of a self-made man and businessman. And really a constant commitment to expanding yourself, as all of us, and being invited to step into these roles. MR. KANUHA: Yes, when this process, you know, talking to Mr. Kealoha and Mr. Vitousek, when this process came up, and you know, there's an opening I've been studying our County rules; the Planning Commission rules. It's a lot of paperwork. And not just one person, probably unless you've been sitting on this Planning Commission for the last 10 or 15 years, will know every single law unless you have things in front of you and you can go to them. So that's the type of thing that I like to do. For me, I'm very, you know, I'm very in-tune with what's going on, and that's the way I operate. I want to make sure if I do sit on this commission, I do it in the best aspect to serve our whole community and do it in the right manner and make sure things move forward in the right manner. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. I appreciate your courage in stepping into this role right away. My question comes for the possibility of being able to serve in some of the other committees just as kind of—and please let me finish, as an opportunity. But once again, as I said, that goes beyond you and this specific circumstance right now and relates to currently the pattern of assignments and some of the discrepancies that have occurred there. So I thank you for your willingness to serve. I look forward to working closely together, because there are a number of issues coming in front of the Planning Commission, and there are a lot of unique circumstances. I know that there are some in District 7 that can't be managed by our current Planning Director because of prior working relationships, thus they have to go through the Deputy Director and then they'll be coming to the Planning Commission. So I look forward to talking and sitting down and just getting back online with you. We had a lot of years of working together. That was for a brewery, probably way more fun than this is. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Ms. Villegas, sorry to interrupt,please wrap it up, you're over your five minutes. I can come back to you. Page 9 PC-5 March 17,2021 MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz, I will. Alright, so I thank Mr. Kanuha for being here today and enduring some of the painful but necessary conversations that come with County government. So,thank you for being here, I yield. MR. KANUHA: Mahalo, Ms. Villegas. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Director Kern, I did want to give you an opportunity to weigh in here. And I also would like for you to speak on the coordination between Planning Department and the Mayor's Office to ensure that we have a well-rounded and balanced commission. MR. KERN: Absolutely. Well, yeah, to start out with, the Mayor's Office and the Planning Department are coordinating to make sure that we do have a well balanced and thoughtful prepared commission. I hear the concerns coming from Councilwoman Villegas. There's concerns on our end too, that this presupposes that there's something negative going on when actually the heart and intention of the Administration, Mayor Roth, myself, everybody in the Planning Department; and I'm feeling just about everybody else, we're trying to do the best to have our Island, our community be the best that it can be. And there's a process that goes to it. And personally, I would like to see inclusion instead of exclusion. There seems to be a bit of a theme of exclusion when we have people that are willing, able, desiring to do this, that we should be able to include them. And Mr. Kanuha is a prime example of that. So I just think it's really, really critical and I want everybody to know that, I mean, what we're doing from the Administration and my department, we're doing the very best that we can for all the districts, for our community, from the ones that are being born to the ones that are passing on. And that will not change. It hasn't changed and will continue. And I hope that we can find a way to work together in District 7 to find solutions to the problems, as well as all the other districts. So again, I think we're honored to have Mr. Kanuha here to serve. Absolutely support him, and will continue to be diligent in finding the right folks for the Boards and Commissions. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Director. Anyone else in Kona would like to weigh in? MR. INABA: No. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, here in Hilo? Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Page 10 PC-5 March 17,2021 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Kanuha. Aloha. My question, very simple. Yeah,just to ask, I'd be remiss for not asking, is there any relation to Senator Kanuha? MR. KANUHA: Yes, my cousin is Dru Mamo Kanuha, yes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I was wondering, okay. Because I can't see you too well, but you look similar from here, but you are wearing a mask too, so it makes it difficult. MR. KANUHA: I got him by a couple pounds, but that's about it. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Well, thank you for answering my question. I think what Ms. Villegas is saying is just looking for a balance on the commission. And I understand the concern, and I think we're all very aware of what that balance needs to look like. You know, what are your thoughts as a surfer and a dad, as a local? How do you feel about, you know, developing large parts of the island or are you more for preserving coastlines? I mean, what is your feel? MR. KANUHA: So for me, preserving coastline is always really, really important to me. But also, development of our community. Making sure our economy is rising. Bringing developments in here, kind of just like you said, there is a need for affordable housing. There's a very big need for multiple, multiple things that haven't moved forward. Or I would say, you know, there's always been kind of—everyone talks. It doesn't matter if you're on the County Council or if you're on the Planning Commission, you're part of the building. Someone always has something to say. But for me,just seeing development move forward in the right aspect to where it benefits our community, and you know, we can make things happen here that kind of been held up for years, I see it as a good thing. I do not see it as a bad thing. I see preservation as a very big thing as well. So there's a common balance between those two. But yes, development, I'm definitely not one against development. If it's to the right context and we take care of the things that we need to take care of and it benefits our community, I see it as a good thing. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. And you know, I'm a dad too, and when I make my decisions, I think about what I'm going to be leaving my kids. And what legacy that we leave as we go on even if it's something as simple as being a commissioner or more involved as being a Governor or a Mayor. What are your thoughts as far as, you know, being a member of the Planning Commission, if you were confirmed? Page 11 PC-5 March 17,2021 MR. KANUHA: For me, I sit just like you. My dad was a very big influential person here on this island. His legacy he left was, you know, above and beyond. And those shoes were very big shoes to fill. I've been very blessed that, you know, surfing, in Kaupulehu nalu was my job. I've influenced thousands and thousands of kids and people all over the world, whether they're adults or kids still to this day. And like the legacy you said, I want to make sure that our community is in good hands. The developments that do come through here, you know,they're the right developments for us, but also trying to move our community forward. Move it forward in the best aspect that we can. And yes, leaving a legacy is always a good thing. And yeah, anything I do, I represent my family, you know, my cousin Dru Mamo, my uncle, my aunties. So we want to represent in the right light and also be able to do things in the right light. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, mahalo for your answers, Sir. And I appreciate you stepping forward. MR. KANUHA: Mahalo. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. And thank you, Mr. Kanuha for willing to step up. What I'm hearing is local style with a vision to the future and I really appreciate that. Your willingness to commit to it, and you talk about your business background and acumen, but you're also talking about what your kids are going to do. So Matt, I appreciate that perspective of coming forward. Question for you, though, is commitment of time. Leeward Planning Planning Commissions take a lot of time. Are you aware of this, and are you able to commit that time to fully vet these projects? I appreciate your commitment to affordable housing, but I also appreciate your commitment to taking care of our economy that will give us the resources to take care of the community. Do you have the time to do this job? MR. KANUHA: Yes I do. I kind of would go back to Ms. Villegas too, on her question. I wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't put the time, or want to take the time to do this. Speaking with the previous Leeward Planning Commissioner, Mr. Kealoha, there's a lot of reading, and you know, there's a lot of time that needs to be put into this and I take this very seriously. So yes, I do have the time. My businesses do run themselves. So I definitely will put the most time and effort into making sure our community is served in the right capacity and aspect. MR. RICHARDS: Okay, thank you, I appreciate that. And I appreciate your perspective of how you want to approach this. I'm definitely supporting you. Page 12 PC-5 March 17,2021 MR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Richards. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Anyone else? Director, did you want to weigh in? Pomai? MR. KERN: I would like to make just a—not in relation to this particular application, but generally how a Planning Commission works and how Planning Commissioners work. As you know, I served a little over three years on the commission and chaired for a couple years there. I've also, as you know, been in private practice for many years. As a Planning Commissioner, we generally did not talk to applicants. Like I never spoke to applicants. They didn't approach us. It was actually frowned on as an applicant to go and approach a Planning Commissioner to lobby them. It's very different than how somebody would at County Council. Like, they'll reach out to a County Council Member; talk to you folks. It's very different. So there's generally been an arms-length type of interaction with Commissioners whether it was being the Chairman or just a member. And that's generally the way I understand it's still going. There's no set like rule or law in this, but it's general practice. And I think it creates a very good buffer. And same, when I was on there, things would come through, big projects. The Mayor didn't call me. He didn't say, hey this needs to happen, this needs to go. They let the commissioners do what the commissioners do. And I think that that's an important process, and I think that should continue to be operated that way in my humble opinion, because it does create that nice clean separation. Thank you. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Director, for those details. Ms. Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair. And just a little latitude here. I just want to talk a little bit to Pomai and the rest of the group about my observation with these appointments. You know, after listening to who you selected and put before us yesterday, it really just became apparent to me that this Administration is trying to put their money where their mouth is. From the standpoint that I am seeing women elevated. I am seeing people born and raised in this community who have been of service. I am seeing of people of color; native Hawaiians. I like that. Okay, I really like that there is an effort to elevate the folks in our community. And that there is this understanding that these are voluntary positions and they're hard. You have chosen a particularly hard one. The Appeals Commission is almost as bad as far as reading. I was appointed to that one and most times you want someone to serve on the commission before they go to appeals. But it just didn't work out with the timing. Page 13 PC-5 March 17,2021 And when I applied to be on a board and commission, the first one was the Commission on the Status of Women. That was always my first priority, but there was never a vacancy. So the Appeals Board was like the second or third, but that was the opening at the time. I wanted to serve my community. I appreciate that you guys are making an effort. The Administration is making an effort to fill these boards with people that have typically been under-represented. I want to see more women. I'm going to say that right now. That's a big thing for me, but typically under-represented folks are being elevated and brought forward to be put on these positions. The second comment I would like to make is that I reached out to Director Kern and the long-range planner, and said, "You have this Action Committee for my district. They're active, they want to work hard. They care, they're ready to go. How can I use them? How can I interact with them?" And you guys, you said, "Yes, let's do it. We got to follow the Sunshine Law. You got to make sure we communicate." But there was a willingness to work with me. And I appreciate that. And I wanted to just put that out there to my colleagues that I am seeing in this Administration, a willingness to participate if we ask. And I encourage my colleagues to step up and do that. Mahalo. Thank you, Chair for the leeway. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you for those comments. Anyone else in Kona? Mr. Kanuha I wanted to provide you an opportunity for any final thoughts. MR. KANUHA: I just want to say to the Commission, to the Council, thank you guys for your guys' time. Thank you for, you know, letting me sit here and letting me speak to you guys. I guess you can say this morning in regards to my nomination, and if this comes through, I look forward in serving our community and doing it 120 percent. Thank you guys. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Mr. Kanuha. I don't have the pleasure of knowing you personally, but from what I've seen here, you are an impressive individual; very thoughtful, articulate. Thank you for taking the time to, you know, watch some of the commission meetings; get up to speed on the various rules and things you're going to be tackling. I think you are going to be an excellent fit. Well done again, Pomai, really like the nominees that you are putting forward. Definitely echo the sentiments of Council Member Kimball here. Just love how inclusive you are and you've really taken a lot of politics out of this. We've seen a number of candidates that have been stymied by the previous Administration, but you really have worked hard to embrace people and give them chance, right? People just want a chance to serve, and you are really making that happen. So thank you. There is a motion on the floor to send this nomination to the Council with a positive recommendation. All in favor please say "aye." Page 14 PC-5 March 17,2021 Vote on Comm. 162: The motion to confirm the appointment of (Approved) Mr. Clement Kanuha, III to the Leeward Planning Commission was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member David— 1. Excused: None. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Mr. Kanuha, so sorry,just need to let you know that you do not need to be present at the Council meeting where we officially confirm your nomination to the Commission. We'll be in touch. Thank you. Comm. 163: REAPPOINTMENT OF NICOLE LUI TO THE HAWAII COUNTY CULTURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated February 26, 2021, requesting the Council's review and confirmation. Vote on Comm. 163: Mr. Richards moved to recommend confirmation of the (Approved) reappointment of Ms. Nicole Lui to the Hawaii County Cultural Resources Commission. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member David— 1. Excused: None. Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience. Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment. Chair Kierkiewicz informed Ms. Lui that she does not need to appear before the full Council for final confirmation. Page 15 PC-5 March 17,2021 ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order RESOLUTIONS: of Resolutions. (There were none.) BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. Bill 26: REPEALS ORDINANCE NO. 12-128, WHICH AMENDED SECTION 25-8-23 (MOUNTAIN VIEW ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL— 10,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-10) TO VILLAGE COMMERCIAL— 10,000 SQUARE FEET (CV-10) AT `OLA`A, PUNA, HAWAII, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 1-8-002:064 (Planning Director Initiated) (Area: 13,785 Square Feet) The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation to repeal Ordinance No. 12-128, which would revert the property's classification back to its original designation of Single-Family Residential— 10,000 square feet. The property is located on the northwest corner of Highway 11 and Nichols Road. Reference: Comm. 143 Intr. by: Ms. Kierkiewicz (B/R) and Comm. 143.1: From Deputy Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, dated February 24, 2021, transmitting the draft transcript from the Windward Planning Commission's February 4, 2021, meeting. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. May I have a motion to forward Bill 26 to the Council with a positive recommendation? Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend passage of Bill 26 on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Do we have members, Director Kern, Deputy Director Darrow? One second, I need to get Planning Department in here, as this was a Planning Director initiated bill. Director, we're on Bill 26 repealing Ordinance No. 12-128. We understand that this was Director initiated at the request of the property owner. So if you could just provide us with an overview. It's pretty straight forward, but for the record. Thank you. Page 16 PC-5 March 17,2021 (Note: At this time, Planning Director Zendo Kern came forward to address the members of the Committee). MR. KERN: Thank you Madam Chair and Members of the Planning Committee. Yeah, it says Planning Director initiated, and essentially it is at the request of the landowner. This property was originally rezoned some years back. The property is changing hands. The new owners do not want the current zoning. They'd rather have it go back to the RS-10 (Single Family Residential) zoning. If you look at the maps; if you're interested in the maps, there's a LUPAG map, which is the Land Use Pattern and Allocation Guide map. And the property is split between Low-Density Urban and Medium-Density Urban. And you can see the pattern in the area has some ML (Limited Industrial); has some single-family and some Commercial. So it's kind of one of those properties that would work in any event. So, we fully support this and it's very straight forward and relatively easy. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Any questions or comments from my colleagues? Yeah, it was a straight forward request. We saw in the background materials the situation of the current property owner and this being a necessary step in order for the interested parties who are in escrow to be able to purchase the property. So,thank you so much for your presence, for being here. We have a motion on the floor, all those in favor please say Ic aye. Vote on Bill 26: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 26 on first (Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member David— 1. Excused: None. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Motion carries. Bill 26 is forwarded to Council with a positive recommendation. That brings us to the end of our agenda. Can I have a motion to adjourn? Page 17 PC-5 March 17,2021 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 10:02 a.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Inaba, Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member David— 1. Excused: None. CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. We are adjourned. Approv d: . 1.-Th--------- LE11--e2A Ms. s ley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair (Da le) Planning Committee AK/dt Page 18