HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP LAAC 006 2025-01-21 2024-2026REPORT OF THE
LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: January 21, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai i
TIME: 3:45 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 77/13111 No. 17
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Bill No. 17,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 17, transmitted by Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication No. 77,
dated December 27, 2024, amends the State Land Use Boundaries Maps for the County of Hawaii by
changing the district classification from the Agricultural to the Urban district at `Ouli, South Kohala,
Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 6-2-001:075 (por).
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, with an amendment to
Condition N (Fair Share), which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into 43 lots. The
property is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Waiula Drive,
Kawaihae 2"d-Lanikepu, Waimea, South Kohala.
Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Kato and Planning
Director Jeffrey Darrow were present in Chambers.
Mr. Darrow provided a PowerPoint presentation via Communication No. 77.1, which outlined the
favorable recommendation of the Leeward Planning Commission and the Planning Director to amend
the State Land Use Boundaries Map.
Mr. Kato explained that the land was donated to the applicant by the Benioff `ohana for the
development of much -needed workforce housing in the community and that the change of zone and
subdivision of the parcel would allow for 43 self-help housing lots, providing much -needed workforce
housing for our island community.
Committee Member James Hustace shared that he had been in communication with Mr. Kato on the
Waikoloa stream barrier and a recreation space within the project, as well as highlighting his
appreciation of the applicant's presentation to the Waimea community in recent past. Mr. Hustace
inquired on wastewater options for the project. Mr. Kato replied that there is not one in place and one
will need to be constructed and installed for this project.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked of the project's water credits from the Department of
Water Supply. Mr. Kato answered that the project has 58 water credits at present, which is more than
enough for the specific self-help housing project.
LAAC Report No. 6
LAAC-6 Page 2 January 21, 2025
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas appreciated the donation, the vision, and the need for workforce
housing and highlighted the concern of the future affordability of the project and how to keep it in the
affordable inventory. Mr. Kato stated the possibility of a 15-year affordability period. Ms. Villegas
commented that it was not long enough and noted a focus is needed for a regenerative affordable
housing process with this project.
Committee Chair Heather Kimball commented that she supports the project and stated the term
affordability must be specifically defined, with the opportunity for families to build personal wealth
with said property, and suggested deed restrictions on any sale to indicate it must be to local residents
within the affordable area median income percentage identified by the County within an identified
timeframe, to provide continual accessible and attainable workforce housing for the future. Ms.
Kimball further stated that she would like to see the longevity of this affordable self-help housing
project for future generations, since the longevity of the agricultural land will be lost once subdivided.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba offered to assist Ms. Kimball with amendments related to the
term affordability.
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Bill No. 17, and recommends its passage on first reading.
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE
APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS
LAAC REPORTNO.: •
ADOPTED:FEB t 5 2025