HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP LAAC 013 2025-04-15 2024-2026 REPORT OF THE
LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: April 15, 2025 Re: Comm.No. 207/Bill No. 40
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 3:16 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions,to which was referred Bill No. 40,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 40,transmitted by Managing Director William V. Brilhante, via Communication
No. 207, dated March 20, 2025, amends Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo Zone Map), Article 8,
Chapter 25 (Zoning) of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), by changing
the Zone Map Classification from Agricultural— 10 acres (A-l0a)to Agricultural—5 acres
(A-5a) at Pana`ewa, Hilo, Hawai`i, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-2-048:013 (por.)
(Applicant: Ho`oulu Lahui) (Area: approx. 12.043 acres).
The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this requested
change of zone, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property that currently houses
Kua 0 Ka La New Century Public Charter School and enable the school to transition from a lease
agreement to a fee-simple ownership. The property is located at 345 Makalika Street.
Jeffrey Darrow, Planning Director; John Pipan, Planning Consultant for Ho`oulu Lahui;
Susie Osborne, founder of Kua 0 Ka La New Century Public Charter School; Sidney Fuke,Planning
Consultant for property owner Nani Mau Gardens Group; and Tom Yeh, counsel for property owner
and applicant, were present in the Chambers.
Mr. Darrow provided a PowerPoint presentation via Communication 207.1,which outlined the
favorable recommendation of the Windward Planning Commission and the Planning Director. The
Windward Planning Commission provided the favorable recommendation with the deletion of two
conditions; Condition"B" (to comply with the State Land Use Special Permit,which they would
be released from with the rezone process), and Condition"I" (for a traffic analysis report, which
will be addressed by the Planning Department with the applicant's request for a Special Permit).
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi inquired if the applicant could change the use of the
property in the future, as it is agriculturally zoned but is also in an urbanized area. Mr. Darrow
replied that although the property is in the State Land Use Map and zoned as agricultural, across
the street is in fact urban, and therefore, in the long term,there is a possibility that this specific
property could be considered as urban in the future.
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz shared that both Kua 0 Ka La and Ms. Osborne were
in her council district prior to the 2018 lava event and that her son is a student at the school. She
also shared her deep appreciation of Ms. Osborne and her dedication to keiki and community,
while enduring the loss of her own home in addition to the school, and added Ms. Osborne is a
true visionary, creating an educational space with a resiliency hub for our keiki and community,
and this rezoning is a great opportunity to expand the school even further.
LAAC Report No. 13
r
LAAC-13 Page 2 April 15,2025
Ms. Osborne and Mr. Pipan addressed the Committee in appreciation of their support and verbally
extended their gratefulness to Mr. Darrow for his guidance, and to Mr. Fuke and Mr. Yeh, the
representatives of the property owner Nani Mau Gardens Group, for their support. Ms. Osborne
further added that although they are still in the healing process with the loss of the school and her
home in the 2018 lava event,this opportunity to have stability for the school so the kumu and
haumana have a place in perpetuity is truly beautiful.
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Bill No. 40, and recommends its passage on first reading.
dbk
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
GALIMBA X
HUSTACE x COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE
INABA x APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS
KAGIWADA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X . '"''v//i \
KIERKIEWICZ x IIEATHER L. KIMBALL, CHAIR
KIMBALL X
AY
ONISHI X LAAC REPO O.• 13
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: U 7 2025