HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP LAAC 008 2025-02-04 2024-2026REPORT OF THE
LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: February 4, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 1:29 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 76/Bill No. 16
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Bill No. 16,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 16, transmitted by Managing Director William V. Brilhante, via Communication No. 76,
dated December 27, 2024, amends Ordinance No. 06-28, which amended Section 25-8-33 (City of
Hilo Zone Map) Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition,
as amended) by changing the district classification from Agricultural (A -la) to Neighborhood
Commercial (CN-20) at Ponahawai, South Hilo, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-3-036:018
(por) (Application: Kristin Frost Albrecht) (Area: 8 acres).
The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for the applicant's
request for a ten-year time extension to Condition D (Complete Construction) for the development of
the Hawaii Island Agricultural Innovation Park and Food Systems Campus. The property is located
on the south side of Ponahawai Street, approximately 1,300 feet east of its intersection with Komohana
Street, Ponahawai, South Hilo.
Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Meeting of January 21, 2025
Justin Clayton with Food Basket, Inc., representative for Applicant Kristin Frost Albrecht, and
Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow were present in the Chambers.
Mr. Darrow provided a PowerPoint presentation via Communication 76.1, which outlined the
favorable recommendation of the Windward Planning Commission and the Planning Director, along
with its specific conditions.
Mr. Clayton requested to postpone the bill as the applicant had not been provided ample time to
review nor address Planning Department's recommended conditions.
Committee Chair Heather Kimball inquired with Mr. Darrow if February 4, 2025 would be enough
time for the department to meet with the applicant. Mr. Darrow indicated that although the
conversation on this matter involves other departments, it is a great project and that they will do their
best to move it along. Mr. Clayton also agreed it was possible to address their concerns by then as
well.
Bill 16 was postponed to February 4, 2025, with seven "ayes", with Committee Members Matt
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Ashley Kierkiewicz absent.
LAAC Report No. 8
LAAC-8 Page 2 February 4, 2025
Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Meeting of February 4, 2025
Justin Clayton with Food Basket, Inc., representative for Applicant Kristin Frost Albrecht, and
Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow were present in the Chambers.
Bill 16 was amended with the contents of Communication No. 76.2, which was introduced by
Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada and approved with six "ayes", with Committee Members James
Hustace, Holeka Goro Inaba, and Rebecca Villegas absent.
Bill 16 was further amended with the contents of Communication No. 76.3, which was introduced by
Committee Chair Heather L. Kimball and approved with six "ayes", with Committee Members James
Hustace, Holeka Goro Inaba, and Rebecca Villegas absent.
Committee Members Jenn Kagiwada, Matt Kdneali`i-Kieinfelder, Ashley Kierkiewicz, and Dennis
"Fresh" Onishi made inquiries and commented on this measure regarding proposed use of commercial
zoning and wastewater and roadside improvements.
Mr. Inaba noted an editorial finding with the spelling of Ponahawai in the title of the bill and requested
the correction at the next meeting.
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Bill No. 16, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its passage on first reading.
dbk
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
EATHER L. fIMBALL, CHAIR
LAAC REPORT
ADOPTED: , 2025