HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 042 2022/01/18 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January 18, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 577
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:31 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 577, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 577, submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated December 21, 2021,
submitting for the Council's review and confirmation the nomination of Wayne K. De Luz to the
Windward Planning Commission. If confirmed, he will serve in the "at-large" (Puna) vacancy for
a term ending December 31, 2025.
Mr. De Luz, a life-long Hawaii resident, is currently the President of Big Island Motors, family
owned and operated since 1962, and firmly rooted in the community. He has been a real estate
residential property owner for 35 years, with an interest in helping to plan and develop affordable
housing on the windward side of Hawaii Island.
Mr. De Luz is highly respected and community-minded, serving on the Hawaii County Police
through 2019, as past President of the Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, and is a generous
supporter of the Hawaii United Way.
Committee Member Holeka Inaba asked Mr. De Luz how he plans to streamline affordable
housing. Mr. De Luz laid out four reasons to increase affordable housing options: Identifying
low-cost land areas for private developers and landowners to invest in, addressing permitting
issues through EPIC (Electronic Processing and Information Center)to help expedite
construction projects on multiple sites simultaneously, coordinating with proper agencies and
departments undertaking affordable housing programs to help provide financing options, and
improving infrastructure.
Committee Member Tim Richards spoke in favor of Mr. De Luz's nomination, saying his family
does great work on the island and he agrees that EPIC could be a useful tool in streamlining the
permitting process for affordable housing projects.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. De Luz how he thought Hilo would
grow in the next 20-30 years. Mr. De Luz sees Hilo growing south towards Puna, but he does not
see it becoming a high-density city due to its already-strained infrastructure.
PC Report No.: 42
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PC-42 Page 2 January 18,2022
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz praised Mr. De Luz for stepping up to serve and noted his
knowledge of the governmental and his work in the affordable housing space would serve him
well as a commissioner.
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The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with 9 "ayes."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication
No. 577, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Wayne K. De Luz to the
Windward Planning Commission.
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AYES NOES ABS ER Respectfully submitted,
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CIIUNG x 1
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
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INABA x
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x
KIERKIEWICZ x
KIMBALL x
LEE LOY x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS x PC REPORT NO.: 42
VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: FEB 0 92022
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