HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0048.000 2024-2026 C.Kimo Alameda,Ph.D. William V.Brilhante,Jr.
Mayor' Managing Director
�r
Merrick Nishimoto
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawaii - Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • Phone(808)961-8211 . Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
Phone(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
December 9, 2024
The Honorable Chairman Holeka Goro Inaba and _
Members of the County Council
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chairman Inaba and Members of the County Council,
It is my pleasure to submit for your confirmation the appointment of Jeffrey W. Darrow
("Mr. Darrow") as Director for the County of Hawaii Planning Department,pursuant to Section
6-7.2 of the Hawaii County Charter. This appointment was effective at 12:00 noon on Monday,
December 2, 2024.
Mr. Darrow started working for the County of Hawaii in 1998 as a Zoning Inspector
with the Planning Department. Through the years that followed, he was a dedicated and hard-
working employee who earned numerous promotions. In 2021, he was appointed as the Deputy
Planning Director of the Planning Department. Prior to this role, he served as a Police Officer
with the County of Hawaii Police Department.
Mr. Darrow will serve a term co-terminus with my tenure, which will end on December
4, 2028.
Pursuant to Rule 5(6)(a) of the Rules of Procedures and Organization of the Council of
the County of Hawaii, I respectfully request that this nomination be placed on the next available
Committee meeting.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely
ameda, Ph.D.
Mayor, County of Hawaii
Enclosure Council Action Due By: Januar` 31 2025
Last Council Meeting: January ). 2'102
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Jeffrey W. Darrow
DEPUTY PLANNING DIRECTOR
Objective Accomplished Deputy Planning Director with expertise in land use and community
development seeking to serve as the Planning Director or the Deputy Planning Director
for Hawaii County. To continue dedicated service the people of Hawaii Island to the
very best of my abilities. Committed to advancing strategic planning initiatives,
strengthening community partnerships,and ensuring regulatory compliance.To
continue leveraging extensive experience in zoning,policy development,and
sustainable land use to support the Department's goals and drive impactful,community-
centered growth.Dedicated to upholding departmental standards and enhancing
efficiencies to meet the evolving needs of our community and environment.
Education 1988 University of Hawaii at Manoa
Received Bachelor of Arts(BA)-Communications
Honors and Most Outstanding Recruit Award for the 49th Police Recruit Graduation Class.Award
awards issued by the Hawaii County Police Department upon completion of the recruit class
training.
Police Officer of the Month for the County of Hawaii.Received this award on two
separate occasions while working as a Police Officer in the Kau District of Hawaii.
Professional
Experience
County of Hawaii Planning Department January 2021 -Present
Deputy Planning Director
• Serve as a principal advisor and provide daily support to the Planning Director,managing departmental
initiatives,workflows,and priority issues.Act as a key liaison for the Planning Director between the
Department and the County leadership to ensure alignment on planning objectives,policy execution,and
responsive action to emerging issues.
• Serve as the Planning Director on land use matters and applications where Planning Director Kern has a conflict
of interest,making final determinations and representing the Department at the Planning Commissions and the
Hawaii County Council hearings related to these applications.
JEFFREY W. DARROW I RESUME
• Assist with overseeing departmental operations, managing 79 positions, including the Director and Deputy
Director roles, with a budget of approximately $5.2 million. Ensure alignment of resources with strategic goals
and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with the preparation of the updated Comprehensive General Plan Amendment and the updated
Comprehensive Zoning Code and Subdivision Code Amendments.
• Supervised staff and managed division operations in West Hawaii, including assuming the role of West Hawaii
Division Manager for over a year until the vacancy was filled. Once filled, provided training and support for
the new Manager up to the present.
• Provides technical guidance on planning and land use matters to the Mayor, Windward and Leeward Planning
Commissions, the Hawaii County Council, and other County Departments. Prepare in-depth reports, advise on
compliance with laws, and provide actionable recommendations on policy and procedural improvements.
• Oversee and provide a thorough review of staff work products, and ensure deliverables meet departmental
standards and timelines.
• Currently oversee all Special Management Area (SMA) staff. Review all correspondences and permit requests
for SMA determinations. The goal is to create a new division that would focus on all SMA and shoreline
matters, including permitting, enforcement and public access.
• Engage with legislators to advocate for laws and regulations that support county planning objectives, such as
affordable housing, environmental protection, and infrastructure funding. Ensure departmental policies remain
compliant with evolving state and federal regulations.
• Assist in leading public engagement efforts to foster transparency and inclusion in the planning process. This
includes organizing public workshops, responding to community feedback, and engaging with community
groups, developers, and local businesses to align plans with public interests and needs.
• Mentor and guide Department staff, fostering professional growth and promoting efficiency. Support team
dynamics and lead initiatives to enhance service quality and workflow, including overseeing division operations
as West Hawaii Division Manager for over a year during a staffing transition.
• Review staff work products to maintain high departmental standards, ensure compliance with timelines, and
meet project deliverables. Monitor permit tracking to enforce adherence to deadlines and maintain process
integrity.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline workflows, such as digitizing records, improving
permit processing times, and enhancing customer service to increase public satisfaction with the planning
process.
• Assist in implementing amendments to the Zoning Code and departmental rules, in collaboration with the
Planning Commissions and the Hawaii County Council. Conduct comprehensive research, draft rule
amendments, and prepare background reports for public hearings to support informed decision -making.
• Take an active role in emergency planning and response, coordinating with emergency management teams to
integrate land use planning in disaster preparedness, evacuation planning, and post -disaster recovery strategies.
• Represent the Department at the Hawaii County Council meetings, Planning Commission hearings, and public
forums. Present departmental updates, explain policy implications, and address public inquiries on planning
matters.
County of Hawaii Planning Department December 2016 to December 2020
Planning Program Manager
Responsible for supervising a Planner VI position, a Planner V position, 2 Planner IV positions, and 3 clerical
positions with overseeing work product and assisting with training in planning matters. Prepare job evaluation
reports for employees.
Responsible for assigning all incoming correspondences and permits to appropriate staff member(s). Oversee
and review work product generated by staff in preparation for the Planning Commissions and the Hawaii
County Council Hearings as well as all generated responses to correspondences submitted to the Planning
Division, including but not limited to, permit condition compliance letters, annual progress reports, general
inquiries, etc.
Responsible for managing and preparing all schedules and agendas for the Windward and Leeward Planning
JEFFREY W. DARROW I RESUME
Commission Hearings. Oversee all permit tracking for incoming Planning Commission permits to make sure
processing is on track to meet continual deadlines.
• Meet with the general public and with developers to discuss details and provide direction for Planning
Commission matters. Involves lengthy and detailed discussions of the specific projects to provide information
of the requirements of permitting for a variety of permitting processes including, but not limited to, Change of
Zone applications, State Land Use Boundary amendments, Special Permits, Use Permits, Special Management
Area Use Permits, etc.
• Oversee and manage Zoning Code, Planning Commission Rule and Planning Department Rule amendments
initiated by the Planning Director and the County Council. Prepare background and recommendation reports as
well as the amended rule(s) and ordinance(s) in preparation for the Planning Commission and/or County
Council Hearings.
• Recently, a number of SMA processes have been shifted from the Long Range Division to the Planning
Division. As a result, this position is now responsible for oversight of SMA Assessment applications, SMA
Exemption determinations and SMA Minor Permits. This includes managing and reviewing work project
generated for these actions and includes assisting Inspectors with the review of SMA violations for accuracy
and completeness, as well as compiling the record on appeal (ROA) for any SMA appeals.
• Responsible for representing the Planning Director at different types of meetings including, but not limited to,
County Council and Planning Commission Hearings, Public Informational meetings, etc. Responsible for
speaking and presenting information on Planning matters on the behalf of the Planning Director.
• Responsible for organizing staff meetings, including, but not limited to, pre and post Planning Commission
meetings, summary meetings of information provided at Manager's meetings, and overall division meetings to
discussion matters within the Planning Division.
County of Hawaii Planning Department July 2014 — December 2016
Planner VI
• Continue to work for the Planning Division Section as a Planner VI
• Responsible for supervising a Planner V position and 2 Planner IV positions with overseeing work product and
assisting with training in planning matters. Prepare job evaluation reports.
• Assigned to Planning Program Manager (temporary assignment) during times when the assigned Manager is
absent.
• Review and evaluate for completeness and acceptance the submitted applications for proposed projects along
with development plans and attached studies including, but not limited to, archaeological, historical, cultural
studies (AIS), Botanical studies (flora and fauna), traffic studies (TIAR), and any other pertinent information.
• Prepare background and recommendation reports for the Planning Commission and/or the Hawai'i County
Council for permit requests including Change of Zones, State Land Use Boundary Amendments, Special
Management Area (SMA) Use permits, Special Permits, Use Permits, Shoreline Setback Variances, Planning
Director/County Council Initiated Amendments, etc.
• Work in consultation with numerous State and County agencies including, but not limited to, the Department of
Land and Natural Resources -State Historic Preservation Division and Land Division, Department of Public
Works, Department of Water Supply, Police and Fire Departments, State Land Use Commission, Department of
Transportation, Department of Health, Community Associations, Attorneys of the Corporation Counsel, and
other divisions within the Planning Department, etc., to determine the final recommendation and conditions of
approval for permits. Creation of reports involve review of submitted information against criteria for approval,
research of additional pertinent information, site inspections, review of past similar actions, and summarized
into a clear and concise report. The information is organized within a Background report and Recommendation
report prepared for the Planning Commission and/or the Hawai'i County Council.
• Prepare the Planning Director's recommendation within the Recommendation report to the Planning
Commission. This requires a review of the request against the guidelines and criteria established within State
Law, County Code, Planning Rule and consistency with objectives and policies of the General Plan,
Community Development Plans, SMA, etc., to justify an approval or denial recommendation to the Planning
Commission and/or the Hawaii County Council.
JEFFREY W. DARROW I RESUME
• Prepare and present the applications through PowerPoint presentations to the Planning Commission at the
scheduled Public Hearings. Answer questions regarding applications from the Planning Commission at the
Hearing. Presentations include creating location maps and plans using GIS, Google Earth, scanned images from
pictures taken from site inspections and summaries of the submitted request.
• Work closely with the public to provide direction and information for land use applications. Work closely with
consultants and applicants to provide direction and information during the application process. Work closely
with other divisions to inform them of projects that may involve their areas of expertise. Work closely with my
superior to keep him informed of the progress of the reports and any issues regarding projects. Work closely
with co-workers in the division to have successful Planning Commission meetings.
• Other duties include site inspections, respond to letters regarding land use questions, annual progress reports,
and any other duties I am assigned. Review Environmental Assessments (EA) or Environmental Impact
Statements (EIS) for completeness and draft response.
• Investigate complaints of non-compliance with conditions of permits and issue Notice of Non -Compliance
letters. Investigation involves gathering and analyzing facts, site inspections, documentation of evidence and
making sound judgments.
• Attend training workshops and conferences locally and on the mainland to further planning knowledge to be
utilized in practical matters at work.
County of Hawaii Planning Department November 2007 — July 2014
Planner V
• Continue to work for the Planning Division Section as a Planner V.
• Responsible for supervising 2 Planner IV positions with overseeing work product and assisting with training in
planning matters. Prepare job evaluation reports.
• Assigned to Planner VI or Planning Program Manager (temporary assignment) during times when the assigned
Planner VI or Manager is absent.
• Review and evaluate for completeness and acceptance the submitted applications for proposed projects along
with development plans and attached studies including, but not limited to, archaeological, historical, cultural
studies (AIS), Botanical studies (flora and fauna), traffic studies (TZAR), and any other pertinent information.
• Prepare background and recommendation reports for the Planning Commission and/or the Hawaii County
Council for permit requests including Change of Zones, State Land Use Boundary Amendments, Special
Management Area (SMA) Use pennits, Special Permits, Use Permits, Shoreline Setback Variances, Planning
Director/County Council Initiated Amendments, etc.
• Work in consultation with numerous State and County agencies including, but not limited to, the Department of
Land and Natural Resources -State Historic Preservation Division and Land Division, Department of Public
Works, Department of Water Supply, Police and Fire Departments, State Land Use Commission, Department of
Transportation, Department of Health, Community Associations, Attorneys of the Corporation Counsel, and
other divisions within the Planning Department, etc., to determine the final recommendation and conditions of
approval for permits. Creation of reports involve review of submitted information against criteria for approval,
research of additional pertinent information, site inspections, review of past similar actions, and summarized
into a clear and concise report. The information is organized within a Background report and Recommendation
report prepared for the Planning Commission and/or the Hawaii County Council.
• Prepare the Planning Director's recommendation within the Recommendation report to the Planning
Commission. This requires a review of the request against the guidelines and criteria established within State
Law, County Code, Planning Rule and consistency with objectives and policies of the General Plan,
Community Development Plans, SMA, etc., to justify an approval or denial recommendation to the Planning
Commission and/or the Hawaii County Council.
• Prepare and present the applications through PowerPoint presentations to the Planning Commission at the
scheduled Public Hearings. Answer questions regarding applications from the Planning Commission at the
Hearing. Presentations include creating location maps and plans using GIS, Google Earth, scanned images from
pictures taken from site inspections and summaries of the submitted request.
• Work closely with the public to provide direction and information for land use applications. Work closely with
JEFFREY W. DARROW I RESUME
consultants and applicants to provide direction and information during the application process. Work closely
with other divisions to inform them of projects that may involve their areas of expertise. Work closely with my
superior to keep him informed of the progress of the reports and any issues regarding projects. Work closely
with co-workers in the division to have successful Planning Commission meetings.
• Other duties include site inspections, respond to letters regarding land use questions, annual progress reports,
and any other duties I am assigned. Review Environmental Assessments (EA) or Environmental Impact
Statements (EIS) for completeness and draft response.
• Investigate complaints of non-compliance with conditions of permits and issue Notice of Non -Compliance
letters. Investigation involves gathering and analyzing facts, site inspections, documentation of evidence and
making sound judgments.
• Attend training workshops and conferences locally and on the mainland to further planning knowledge to be
utilized in practical matters at work.
County of Hawaii Planning Department December 2002 - November 2007
Planner IV
• Work for the Planning Division Section preparing background and recommendation reports of the Planning
Director for the Planning Commission. Research and compile information for different types of land use permit
applications such as Change of Zones, Special Management Area (SMA) Use permits, Special Permits, Use
Permits, Shoreline Setback Variances, Planning Director/County Council Initiated Amendments, etc. The
information is organized within a Background report prepared for the Planning Commission.
• Additionally, organize and justify the Planning Director's recommendation within the Recommendation report
to the Planning Commission. This requires a review of the request against the guidelines and criteria established
within State Law, County Code, or Planning Rule to justify an approval or denial recommendation to the
Planning Commission and/or County Council. Prepare and present the applications through PowerPoint
presentations to the Planning Commission at the scheduled Public Hearings. Answer questions regarding
applications from the Planning Commission at the Hearing.
• Other duties include site inspections, respond to letters regarding land use questions, annual progress reports,
etc. Review Environmental Assessments (EA) or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for completeness and
draft response.
• Investigate complaints of non-compliance with conditions of permits and issue Notice of Non -Compliance
letters. Investigation involves gathering and analyzing facts, site inspections, documentation of evidence and
making sound judgments.
• Attend training workshops and conferences locally and on the mainland.
• Help with overseeing work product of one planner before submitting to Manager. Assigned to Planner V
(temporary assignment) during times when the assigned Planner V was absent.
County of Hawaii Planning Department December 1998 — December 2002
Zoning Inspector
• Investigate Zoning and Special Management Area violations for the entire Island of Hawai `i and enforce the
applicable County Zoning laws and rules. Prepare and issue Notice of Violation reports. Investigations included
interviewing witnesses and interrogation of suspects, site inspections, photo documentation, and location and
site mapping. The investigation reports required making sound observations and judgments to come to a clear
and concise determination. Follow-up investigations were also conducted to determine compliance with the
Order of the Notice of Violation.
• Organized information for hundreds of complaints in a workable manner. Worked with other State and County
agencies for complaints that involved violations of numerous codes, rules and laws, such as the Department of
Health, Fire Department, Police Department, Traffic Division, etc. Worked with Attorneys with the Corporation
Counsel when complaints were routed to their office for legal action of non-compliance with the Order of
Notice of Violation.
JEFFREY W. DARROW I RESUME
• Work with the public in an effective manner to provide information and to assist in the complaint process. Deal
tactfully with violators to work towards compliance of the Order of the Notice of Violation.
• During this time, I was assigned to temporarily work as a Planner III for the Special Management Area (SMA)
and Subdivision Sections when a planner was in a bad car accident. I would review SMA assessment
applications and draft responses or SMA minor permits. Reviewed subdivision applications for completeness.
County of Hawaii Police Department
Police Officer
August 1992 — July 1998
• Protect the public from harm.
• Enforce the laws, rules and regulations of the Hawaii Revised Statues and the Hawaii County Code.
• Investigate criminal activity including interviewing witnesses, interrogating suspects, preserving crime scenes,
securing evidence, creating photographic documentation and site diagrams. Conduct background checks of
possible suspects. Made arrests of suspects of criminal activity.
• Prepare extensive reports in a clear, accurate and concise manner to be used in court. The reports were of
criminal complaints such as domestic violence cases, assault cases, property damage cases, burglary cases,
robbery cases, theft cases, murder cases, etc.
• Assist Detectives with follow up investigations for the preparation of cases to be routed to the Prosecuting
Attorney's Office.
• Required to appear before the Grand Jury and to testify in court regarding cases in which I was took part of the
investigation.
• Worked with other State and Federal agencies in cases that involved multiple jurisdictions. Participated in
marijuana eradication missions and search warrants with DEA and Police.
• Trained to operate and carry firearms, baton, and mace pepper spray.
• Investigate traffic accidents and prepare reports, mainly for the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Reports included
detailed information of each person involved, each vehicle, and included a diagram and the determination of
driver at fault.
Professional 2010- 2005 Kaupokuea Farm Subdivision Association
aSSOC1af10nS President and Board Member
Includes quarterly meetings with board members and an
annual meeting with all members. Duties include overseeing
and implementing the CC&R's for the 50-lot subdivision.
JEFFREY W. DARROW I RESUME