HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN LAAC 2024/11/07 (2022-2024)Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions
3411 Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
November 7, 2024
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions
ORDER: was called to order at 10:53 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair
Ms. Cindy Evans, Member
Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member
Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member
Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member
Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (came in later; via videoconference from Kona)
Absent & Excused: Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Vice Chair
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:
(There were none.)
BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances.
Bill 207: AMENDS THE STATE LAND USE BOUNDARIES MAPS FOR THE
COUNTY OF HAWAI`I BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION
FROM THE AGRICULTURAL TO THE RURAL DISTRICT AT PU`UKAPU,
WAIMEA, SOUTH KOHALA, HAWAI`I, COVERED BY TAX MAP
KEY: 6-4-017:001
Postponed: October 1, 2024
(Note: There is a motion by Ms. Kierkiewicz, seconded by
Mr. Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, to recommend passage of Bill 207 on first reading.)
LAAC-34 November 7, 2024
CHR. INABA: Thank you. There was a request from Mr. Fuke and the applicant
to postpone this matter. So, can I get a motion to postpone Bill 207 to the
November 191h Committee meeting?
Vote on Motion Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to postpone Bill 207 to
to Post -one: November 19, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada and
(Approved) carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Kagiwada,
Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
and Chair Inaba — 6.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Galimba and Villegas — 2.
Excused: None.
; and
Bill 208: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-11 (LALAMILO-PU`UKAPU ZONE MAP),
ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY
CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE
DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM AGRICULTURAL — 40 ACRES (A-40a)
TO RESIDENTIAL — AGRICULTURAL — 0.5 ACRES (RA-.5a) AT
PU`UKAPU, WAIMEA, SOUTH KOHALA, HAWAI`I, COVERED BY TAX
MAP KEY: 6-4-017:001
(Applicant: Kelvin P. Jarneski) (Area: 1.997 Acres)
The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for
this amendment to the State Land Use Boundaries Map and for the requested
change of zone, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into
three lots. This property is located at 64-5208 Alanui Ohana Place.
Reference: Comm.1050
Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)
Postponed: October 1, 2024
(Note: There is a motion by Ms. Kimball, seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
to recommend passage of Bill 208 on first reading.)
; and
Comm. 1050.1: From Council Member Holeka Goro Inaba, dated October 7, 2024, transmitting a
request to postpone Bill 207 to November 19, 2024, from Planning Consultant
Sidney M. Fuke.
; and
Comm. 1050.2: From Council Member Holeka Goro Inaba, dated October 7, 2024, transmitting a
request to postpone Bill 208 to November 19, 2024, and proposed language to
amend Bill 208, from Planning Consultant Sidney M. Fuke.
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Motion to Postpone: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to postpone Bill 208 to
November 19, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada.
CHR. INABA: Any discussion?
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes.
CHR. INABA: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: What was the reason for the postponement?
CHR. INABA: Mr. Fuke, I believe was out of town or one of the applicants
wasn't available so, he has other applications on the 191h as well, and the
applicants will be available then.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Thank you.
CHR. INABA: Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor?
Vote on Motion The motion to postpone Bill 208 to November 19, 2024
to Postpone: was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
and Chair Inaba — 6.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Members Galimba and Villegas — 2.
Excused: None.
CHR. INABA: Moving on to Bill 219..
Bill 219: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-22 (PUNA DISTRICT ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8,
CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983
(2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT
CLASSIFICATION FROM AGRICULTURAL — 20 ACRES (A-20a) TO
FAMILY-AGRICULTURAL-1 ACRE (FA -la), KEA`AU, PUNA, HAWAI`I,
COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 1-6-003:081 AND 129
(Applicant: Graphic Images Hawaii, Inc.) (Area: 26.762 acres)
The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for
this change of zone request, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the
property into 23 lots. The property is located at 16-790 Kea`au-Pahoa Road.
Reference: Comm. I110
Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)
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; and
Comm. 1110.1: From Planning Director Zendo Kern, dated October 2, 2024, transmitting a
request to amend Condition O (Fair Share) of Bill 219.
Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to recommend passage of
Bill 219 on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz.
CHR. INABA: We have Mr. Daryn Arai and the applicants joining us today.
Mr. Arai, if you'd like to give us an overview of the request here, and then I
believe we have our Deputy Planning Director joining us in Chambers as well.
(Note: At this time, Planning Consultant Daryn Arai and Graphic Images
Hawaii, Inc representative Lori Higashi came forward to address the
members of the Committee.)
MR. ARAI: Good morning, Chair Inaba, Members of the Committee. My name
is Daryn Arai. I'm a Planning Consultant residing in Hilo. To my right is,
representing Graphic Images Hawaii Inc, Lori Higashi. The request before you
today is in support of a proposed 23 lot rural subdivision in Kea`au. The location
of this property is just outside the Kea`au Town Center, which is an urban core in
Kea`au, and its proximity is also near existing similar rural type of subdivisions.
For example, the 35 lot Ola Hou Estates subdivision located immediately to the
north, as well as the Kea`au Agricultural lots, which is about 322 one -acre lots.
Also in proximity, in addition to the Kea`au urban core, you have the Kea`au
Elementary, Kea`au High School. To the north and to the south you have Punana
Leo Charter School. So, the proximity of this property provides a natural
progression of residential uses in close proximity to the Kea`au urban core, but
also provides for an optimal transitional type of land use with a broader and larger
agricultural lands to the south.
Recently, I was just informed that the Planning Department has accepted a draft
environmental assessment for a proposed medical clinic by Hilo Medical Center.
The proposed clinic is intended occupy the seven acres in the front of the property
adjacent to the old Pahoa Government Road. They are also considering two
additional acres in support. That would bring it up to a total of nine acres from
the subject property and could be dedicated for a medical clinic. The medical
clinic itself, and I don't have a lot of information on it since I'm not directly
involved at point, but it will provide about close to 40,000 square feet of clinic
space for primary and secondary and specialty type of care.
So, the request that's before you is kind of two-part. The applicant is working
diligently with Hilo Medical Center in trying to realize this proposed medical
clinic. But at the same time, if that proposal does not move forward, the applicant
will proceed with his proposed 23-lot subdivision. And I should note that if the
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clinic itself is successful, then the total number of lots that could be realized
would drop to about maybe 14 lots versus the proposed 23.
Access to the property is going to be provided by County dedicated roads via
Mamaka and Ohiohi Streets that traverse through the adjoining Ola Hou Estates.
And the project itself, as demonstrated by the Planning Director's report, is
consistent with the General Plan as well as with the Puna Community
Development Plan. So, with that I'll stand ready to answer any questions that you
may have.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Kimball.
MS. KIMBALL: Yes. Due to potential ethical conflicts, I'm going to have to
recuse myself from decision making on this matter. Thank you.
CHR. INABA: Thank you very much. With that, I would like to just offer the
opportunity, Deputy Director, if you have any —okay, no comment at this time.
We'll open it up for discussion by the body. Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. So, originally you had negotiated a fair share and now
basically you're willing to change it and what brought you back to the table for
the renegotiation?
MR. ARAI: There was no renegotiation. The proposed fair share was
incorporated in the original bill that was transmitted to the Windward Planning
Commission. If you're referencing Communication 1110.1, that was provided by
the Planning Director to recognize that the fair share allocation has been updated.
They do it every single year at the Planning Department and it's based on the
adjustments to the Honolulu Consumer Price Index (CPI). So, it changes every
single year so they're basically bringing the numbers that were in the original bill
that went before the Windward Planning Commission and adjusting it to the
current numbers that just was released by the Planning Department.
MS. EVANS: So, it's timing.
MR. ARAI: It's all about timing.
MS. EVANS: But I noticed that I wouldn't —so, over time it will adjust annually
except in this it says it wouldn't start for three years.
MR. ARAI: That is correct.
MS. EVANS: So, were the three years negotiated?
MR. ARAI: No. It's a standard a standard condition applied to all rezonings.
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MS. EVANS: I just want to confirm with the Deputy Planning Director here.
You're shaking yes, that's how we do it, three years before you start adjusting.
Do you want to come up, please? Thank you. I just found it interesting that you
would wait to start adjusting it.
(Note: At this time, Deputy Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow came
forward to address the members of the Committee.)
MR. DARROW: Aloha, Committee Chair and members of the Committee.
Jeff Darrow with the Planning Department. Council Member Evans, yes, that's
correct. The adjustment for the fair share does not begin until three years after the
approval of the ordinance. That's standard in all of our rezonings.
MS. EVANS: And when you readjust it, do you readjust to whatever it would've
accumulated over three years.
MR. DARROW: Correct.
MS. EVANS: So, every year it would go up, up, up, and then they get the hit.
MR. DARROW: That's if it's readjusted. What happens is, after a period of
time, depending on when they come in to pay the fair share, we'll look at that
particular timing, and then we adjust it to the Honolulu Consumer Price Index, the
HCPI, and they have a table that we just look at the timing and the actual fair
share and it gives us the percentage adjustment.
MS. EVANS: I noticed in the language, I think it said it was "may," you may
adjust it. So, the discretion goes with the Planning Director if in fact they adjust it
after three years.
MR. DARROW: Well, again, normally the applicants try to take care of that
before it starts accumulating, so it's normally taken care of. But if they don't then
we send out a letter. We don't —it's usually not "may." We just do it. I'm not
sure why it says may. But maybe there's some other considerations that come
into place such as property or improvements that are done that may be adjusting
the fair share amounts. But normally, when it requires that, we will adjust.
MS. EVANS: Right. Yeah. I just wanted to point out the "may" kind of
bothered me, that's it's a "may." Again, you know, the cost of construction and
how much it cost for all the things that they're giving to fair share would be, I
think, better that we keep current. So, yeah.
MR. DARROW: Cool. Thank you.
MS. EVANS: Thank you very much. I yield.
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CHR. INABA: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Council Member Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Chair, in light of the discussion revolving
around the fair share, I'd like to make a motion to amend Bill 219 with the
contents of Communication 1110.2.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to amend Bill 219
with the contents of Comm. 1110.2. Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz.
CHR. INABA: Thank you, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, for that motion. This was
requested as part of Communication 1110.1, based on the discussion we just had.
Any discussion or input from the body? Council Member Kaneah'i-Kleinfelder,
you have the floor.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. No pertinent discussion.
This is just an amendment to the fair share values as discussed by the Deputy
Planning Director and the applicant. So, thank you.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. All those in favor of amending Bill 219 with the
contents of Communication 1110.25 please say "aye."
Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 219 with the contents of
to Amend: Comm. 1110.2 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 6.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Galimba — 1.
Excused: Committee Member Kimball —1.
CHR. INABA: Back to the main motion. Council Member Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I just want to say that I
will be in favor of this because the neighboring subdivision was a project that was
done by the applicants in the past and I've driven through it many times. It's a
beautifully laid out subdivision. There's a lot of good people in that subdivision.
I think our previous Council Member Lee Loy owns a lot in that subdivision,
firefighters, police officers and a number of established families and `ohana's in
our Puna community, and this looks to tie in directly to that subdivision and
extend it. You have a charter school next door, you have schools down the street
for both elementary, high school, and middle. And you have a town center that's
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growing, and the fair share contributions can be used to expand what we do in
Kea`au and the infrastructure that we need. So, I'll be supporting the measure
today and I appreciate you folks coming in; I appreciate the work that you do.
Thank you. I yield, Chair.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Kagiwada.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Could you please just talk a little bit about
amending Condition E and what's the reason you asked for that? I assumed you
asked for that.
MR. ARAI: Condition E.
MS. KAGIWADA: The wastewater.
MR. ARAI: Regarding a water system, right?
MS. KAGIWADA: A water system. Okay. Water system improvements, right.
Okay. Yeah.
MR. ARAI: Normally in conditions of approval, you frequently see a more
detailed discussion on the type of water system improvements like improving the
line size, installing fire hydrants, and so forth and so on. But as we presented
earlier, working through this proposed subdivision, along with it is also working
with Hilo Medical Center and trying to stand up their facility. And if both are
successful, then they're inclined to work together to try to create a water system
that serves both facilities at the same time. So, trying to lock it into the ordinance
with specific improvements will sort of hand string the applicant from working
with Hilo Medical Center and also working with the Department of Water Supply
to make sure that a robust system is provided supported both projects.
MS. KAGIWADA: Okay. Thank you. Deputy Director, can I ask you a quick
question? Thank you. I appreciate that. So, the request of change of zone to the
one acre family ag, so if they do that there's no problems with the medical center
going in there. Is that correct?
MR. DARROW: Well, it's still within the state land use agricultural district,
which will require a special permit. So, they're currently working through the
environmental assessment. As the applicant's representative mentioned, the draft
has been submitted to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to be
able to be published, which will come out tomorrow. That'll give the public
opportunity to comment on the project, then it will go through the final review,
and then they'll submit a special permit application.
MS. KAGIWADA: Okay. So, they need the special permit application.
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MR. DARROW: Correct.
MS. KAGIWADA: But changing to the one acre, family does not present any
impediments for the medical clinic?
MR. DARROW: No. It won't cause any.
MS. KAGIWADA: Alright. Thank you. Thank you so much. I appreciate that.
I yield.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to voice my support for
this particular project. You know, the applicant does have a very strong record of,
you know, successful, thoughtful, development; neighboring subdivision is, you
now, one example of that. And I appreciate the approach here. It's either going
to be 23 lots of potential housing or if we get a medical treatment center, which is
sorely needed in the Puna community, there's a plan for how you might shift that
a little bit. And I love the flexibility in Condition E where we are requiring water
improvements but based on what happens with HHFDC's (Hawai`i Housing
Finance and Development Corporation), EA (Environmental Assessment), and
special permit, we'll know later what exactly is needed. Thank you for being
here. I yield.
CHR. INABA: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Before we proceed, I
just want to make sure that the record is correct. I misstated the vote on the last
amendment. So, the vote to amend Bill 219 with the contents of Comm. 1110.2
was six in favor, yes, with Council Member Galimba excused and Council
Member Kimball recused from the vote. Thank you. And we can proceed now.
Is there any further discussion? Main motion on the floor is to forward Bill 219
with a favorable recommendation. Seeing none, all those in favor, please say
"aye."
Vote on Bill 219:
The motion to recommend passage of Bill 219, as
Draft 2
amended to Draft 2, on first reading was carried by
(Approved)
the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Kagiwada,
Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 6.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Galimba — 1.
Excused: Committee Member Kimball —1.
MR. ARAI: Thank you, Council Members.
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CHR. INABA: Thank you. With that, we'll proceed to the next order of
business.
Bill 220: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-6 (KAILUA-HONALO URBAN ZONE MAP),
ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY
CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE
DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL —
10,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-10) TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL —
10,000 SQUARE FEET (CN-10) AT HOLUALOA, NORTH KONA, HAWAI`I,
COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 7-7-009:008
(Applicant: Dr. Loi Chang-Stroman) (Area: 16,161 square feet)
The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for
this change of zone request, which would allow the applicant to expand services
at the existing medical facility. The property is located at 77-311 Sunset Drive.
Reference: Comm.1123
Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend passage of Bill 220
on first reading. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
CHR. INABA: Mr. Arai, please go ahead.
(Note: At this time, Planning Consultant Daryn Arai and applicant,
Dr. Loi Chang-Stroman came forward to address the members of the
Committee.)
MR. ARAI: Good morning, Council Members. Daryn Arai, Planning Consultant
assisting the applicant, Dr. Loi Chang-Stroman with this rezoning request. Dr.
Stroman would've loved to be here before all of you. He is currently participating
via Zoom, and I hope he can join us. But when discussing this meeting today, his
presence here would mean either being in Hilo or closing down the Urgent Care
Clinic that he's from.
CHR. INABA: He's joined us via Zoom.
MR. ARAI: There he is. Great. And he's dressed appropriately as well. So, the
request, the medical facility was established by use permit in 1988. In 1990, the
following year, the facility was constructed and ever since then, for the past
34 years or thereabout the facility has serviced the medical needs of the Kona
community. Over those years, we hope that the Council will find that the services
that they provided and being a good neighbor in the area, and we're not aware of
any complaints that have been generated by this project, would qualify them a use
that is clearly needed and should be supported in this particular part of Kona.
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That being said, the medical needs of the community continue to change and
evolve, and the use permit does carry a number of constraints. For example, no
more than two physicians can service the facility at any time. Hours of operation
are also restricted. And as the doctor needs to adjust his operations in order to
serve his patients, it shouldn't compel him to file an amendment and go to
hearings every single time he wishes to adjust his services. And that's what
prompted this change of zone request. If you take a step back as well, this
particular area of Kona fronting Sunset Terrace, does have existing neighborhood
commercial zoning on both sides of Kuakini. So, the request is not inconsistent
with the land use pattern in that area.
There are other medical facilities that are also subject to a use permit and have
been operating for decades. Dr. Stroman is taking this step in order to adjust,
accommodate the medical needs that he feels is important to his community. His
wife is a dermatologist, and she operates Kona Dermatology that occupies the
upper level of the facility, and the urgent care is on the bottom level. So,
hopefully, I provided enough adequate explanation of why we feel this is an
appropriate action to take and we're hoping for your support.
CHR. INABA: Thank you, Mr. Arai. I want to give opportunity to the applicant,
if you'd like to make any comment at this time before we open it up to the
Council for discussion?
MR. STROMAN: Council Members, thank you very much for allowing me the
ability to speak with you and I really do appreciate it. One of the reasons we're
doing this, we used to have at our other facilities a plastic surgeon who would
come in from Honolulu to be able to see people so they wouldn't have to fly. And
we get requests from urologists and gastroenterologists that want to practice, but
the scope of the present zoning only allows for two physicians. And so, you
know, our patients were having to have them go to other facilities. Allowing this
zoning change will really allow us to expand services to allow our patients to not
have to fly. And please understand, you know, what we're not trying to do is
open a large medical center. The numbers of people are a few a day because it's
going to be primarily specialty services. But, you know, just having our patients
not have to travel to Honolulu or mainland or whatever for things that can be
accessible, I think, would be extremely helpful to the community. So, I
appreciate your ability to let me speak.
CHR. INABA: Thank you, Doctor. Bringing it back. Mr. Arai, do you have
something to add?
MR. ARAI: Maybe just one clarification. Probably propose in addition to hours
of operation and number of physicians was also establishing durable medical
equipment service, which is like a commercial retail type of thing. We did check
with the Fire Department and in order to accommodate that small little facility
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where he could just offer wheelchairs and other type of medical devices to his
patients could require a change of occupancy, which would then trigger extensive
fire protection measures including having to sprinkle the entire building or having
to upgrade the entire water system in the area which is substandard due to
pressure. So, Doctor is going to continue just having a discussion with Fire
Department in order to see if there's some type of possibility because some type
of opportunity exists. But we just wanted to make that clarification, that there are
a number of controls in place so while this is a commercial rezoning, it's not like
it can easily flip into a Starbucks or something. The facility has been there for 34
years and to change it to another type of use could require significant
improvements. But either way, there are existing regulatory controls that will
govern what can occur on the property.
CHR. INABA: Thank you, Mr. Arai. Opening it up for discussion.
MS. VILLEGAS: Chair?
CHR. INABA: Council Member Villegas, go ahead.
MS. VILLEGAS: Yes, thank you so much, Chair. Yes. This actually resides in
my district. I'm very familiar with the property and the building and have
actually needed to use the services at urgent care there, as well as the dermatology
office upstairs. I will support this transition today. I think this is in alignment. It
is what this property has been used for. I have not received any testimony from
constituents in opposition of this. There are a number of different health
facilities, kind of in a row off the highway there, and it provides access to people
without going into the city center, for lack of a better way. So, I'll be supporting
this today.
And thank you to the medical teams that operate out of that facility and the best
efforts that have been made to be a good neighbor and not to negatively impact
the residential area around that but instead to be contributing to closer access for
those that live in the surrounding areas. So, as representative of this district,
thank you, Doctor, for coming in and getting things aligned so that there's a little
more flexibility for your staff and team to provide more services and medical
capacity in Kona. And with that, I yield.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Mr. Arai, in reviewing the
documents it looks like because of the potential switch to neighborhood -
commercial, that the use permit will no longer be necessary that's existing. So,
that'll be repealed if the zoning change goes through because these uses that are in
existence will be allowed given the neighborhood commercial, correct?
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MR. ARAI: That is correct. And in the application, we have made that request to
repeal the use permit. So, that would be the next step should this rezoning be
successful.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Is there any other neighborhood -commercial
in the area adjoining the property or nearby?
MR. ARAI: Not adjoining but maybe a few hundred feet to the north and there's
also some commercial directly across at Seaview. So, there's commercial on both
sides of Kuakini in close proximity to this property as well as multiple -family
residential.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: And this has been an existing medical type
facility for how many years, 34?
MR. ARAI: 34 years.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Yeah. I'll be supporting the project.
Thank you.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of
approving Bill 220 and forwarding to Council with a favorable recommendation,
please say "aye."
Vote on Bill 220: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 220 on first
(Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Galimba —1.
Excused: None.
CHR. INABA: Thank you, Mr. Arai. Moving on to Bill 221.
MR. ARAI: Thank you, Council Members.
MR. HENRICKS: Chair Inaba, would you prefer that I read Bill 221 and 222
together and then allow for separate motions?
CHR. INABA: Sure.
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LAAC-34 November 7, 2024
Bill 221: REPEALS ORDINANCE NO. 10-1, WHICH AMENDED THE STATE LAND
USE BOUNDARIES MAP FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I BY CHANGING
THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM THE AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICT TO THE URBAN DISTRICT AT KAHULUI 2ND, NORTH KONA,
HAWAI`I, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 7-5-017:042
;and
Bill 222: REPEALS ORDINANCE NO. 10-2, WHICH AMENDED SECTION 25-8-3
(NORTH KONA ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE)
OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION), BY CHANGING
THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM AGRICULTURAL — 5 ACRES
(A-5a) TO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL — 10,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-10)
AT KAHULUI 2ND, NORTH KONA, HAWAI`I, COVERED BY TAX MAP
KEY: 7-5-017:042
(Planning Director Initiated) (Area: 14.437 acres)
The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation to
revert the State Land Use Boundaries Map district classification to Agricultural
and the Zoning district classification to Agricultural 5-acre. This property is
located on the south side of Hualdlai Road, approximately 0.6 miles east of its
intersection with Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway.
Reference: Comm.1124
Intr. by: Mr. Inaba (B/R)
Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend passage of Bill 221
on first reading. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada.
CHR. INABA: Let's see. I believe the applicant is supposed to be in our Kona
Chambers, Mr. Rapoza. Is there anyone there, Council Member Villegas?
MS. VILLEGAS: Yes. Mr. Rapoza is here.
CHR. INABA: Alright. Mr. Rapoza, please go ahead and give us an overview of
the request before this body today.
MS. VILLEGAS: You don't want to? Okay. Mr. Rapoza, please come on up
and share with us anything that you would like to.
(Note: At this time, the applicant Edward Rapoza came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. RAPOZA: Edward Rapoza, Kona, Hawaii. Really nothing to share other
than what's before you. Planning to take this back to agricultural zoning.
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November 7, 2024
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Alright. I'll open it up then. Is there anything from
the Planning Department that you would like to chime in, Deputy Director?
(Note: At this. time, Deputy Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow came
forward to address the members of the Committee.)
MR. DARROW: Thank you, Chair. Jeff Darrow with the Planning Department.
As Mr. Rapoza mentioned, we received a request to revert both the state land use
from urban back to agricultural, and the current County zoning from RS-10 back
to Agricultural — 5 acres. This is about 14-plus acres, just under 15 acres. In the
2010's there was a state land use boundary amendment as well as the County
zoning. The intention was to build a 53-lot subdivision. Also approved back then
was a planned unit development to allow for some design flexibility in the
proposed subdivision. Again, the entire project did not get off the ground. It was
sold to Mr. Rapoza who would like to utilize this property for agricultural
purposes. We're supportive of the request.
CHR. INABA: Thank you, Deputy Director Darrow. Starting over in Kona, any
comment or questions?
MS. VILLEGAS: Sure. Yes. I'm very familiar with the properties in this area
and the flood corridors that are near there, and I am grateful for a property owner
that wants to revert something back to ag usage and keeping soil safe and land
less cut up, for a lack of a better way to do that. Mr. Rapoza has a long history of
working collaboratively with community on a number of different projects for the
long-term benefit. And so, from a person and professional standpoint, I am
grateful for your request before us and your creativity in taking property on a
project and finding a way to return to some of its prior zoning that hopefully will
turn out to be a better usage. So, thank you for being here today. As Council
Member of District 7, I'll be supporting both of these bills today. I yield.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in
favor of approving Bill 221 and forwarding to Council with a favorable
recommendation, please say "aye."
Vote on Bill 221: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 221 on first
(Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Kagiwada,
Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Galimba —1.
Excused: None.
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LAAC-34 November 7, 2024
CHR. INABA: Moving on. Can I have a motion to approve and forward to
Council with a favorable recommendation, Bill 222?
Vote on Bill 222: Ms. Kimball moved to recommend passage of Bill 222 on
(Approved) on reading. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada and carried by the
following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Galimba —1.
Excused: None.
CHR. INABA: This brings us to the end of our agenda.
ADJOURN- There being no further business, Chair Inaba adjourned the meeting
MENT: at 11:31 a.m.
CHR. INABA: Mahalo.
Approved:
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair
Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee
HI/tk
JUN 18 2025
(Date)
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