HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 068 2022/05/31 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: May 31, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 806
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:01 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 806, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 806, transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated May 10, 2022, submitted
for the Council's review and confirmation the nomination of Mr. John C. Cross to the Windward
Planning Commission.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Pomaika`i Bartolome, was present in the Hilo Chambers to
introduce Mr. Cross. Mr. Cross is a lifelong Hawaii resident and a graduate of the University of
Hawaii at Manoa with a Master of Science and Horticulture degree. He possesses extensive
knowledge of East Hawaii lands, from Kohala to Ka`u, including land tenure, easements, roads
and trails, parcels of record, and other unique features. Mr. Cross has volunteered his service as a
Scout Master, a past Na Ala Hele Advisory Council Member, and a Steering Committee Member
of Ka`u CDP, and Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association. If confirmed, he will serve a term
ending December 31, 2023.
Mr. Cross was present in the Hilo Chambers. He explained his experience in the sugar cane
industry where he worked as a Land Manager for plantations after they closed and now works as
a consultant. He has worked with the Planning Department throughout the years and considers
himself friends with the staff and feels he's learned a lot about the government processes. He
talked about his joy for working in the land, teaching others about land management, and how
special the east side of the island is to him. With more free time on his hand, he thought he could
contribute back to the land and his community through serving on the Windward Planning
Commission.
There was extensive conversation between Your Committee and Ms. Bartolome to clarify which
vacancy Mr. Cross is proposed to fill and discrepancies in term dates.
Committee Member Heather Kimball asked Mr. Cross how he felt towards public access to the
shoreline and how they are regulated through Special Management Area(SMA)permits.
PC Report No.: 68
PC-68 Page 2 May 31,2022
Mr. Cross responded that safe access to the ocean should be maintained for the public and
mandatory for applicants to include with their SMA permit. He explained that there needs to be
responsible rules involved for the public to travel through private property to access a public
resource.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Cross about his independent land
consulting business and highlighted his concern that Mr. Cross may have to recuse himself when
former clients or colleagues have an application before him. Mr. Cross responded that if a matter
came before the commission from a previous client,then he would disclose that information.
Committee Members Aaron Chung, Maile David, Sue Lee Loy, and Holeka Inaba highlighted
Mr. Cross's experience and knowledge,noting that he has a great reputation for his work and
thanked him for serving his community.
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz thanked Mr. Cross for his willingness to serve, noting he is
very thoughtful, deliberate and operates with integrity, and would bring great mana`o to the role
given his extensive knowledge and background.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with seven"ayes," one "no"by Mr.Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, and one
absent, Mr. Richards.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication No. 806,
and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Mr. John Cross to the Windward Planning
Commission.
is
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
INABA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X /
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CH
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 68
VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: JUN 1 5 2022