HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPLUED 005 2025-07-22 2024-2026REPORT OF THE POLICY
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING,
LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: July 22, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 142Bill No. 29
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 2:01 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development, to which was
referred Bill No. 29, reports as follows:
Bill No. 29, transmitted by Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz via Communication No. 142,
dated February 6, 2025, amends Chapter 25, Article 3, Section 25-3-3, of the Hawaii County
Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to the establishment of zoning districts.
The bill would allow for the establishment of special zoning districts using methods of
geographical description other than metes and bounds.
On February 18, 2025, as Bill No. 29 was introduced, Committee Vice Chair Michelle Galimba
assumed the role of Acting Chair.
Chair Kierkiewicz introduced the bill to support the creation of a special commercial district in
Downtown P5hoa as part of broader revitalization efforts. She explained that metes and bounds
mapping is costly and complex, and noted that such descriptions were not required to establish
the special districts in Downtown Hilo or Kailua Village. The bill proposes to allow the Planning
Director to approve alternative methods for identifying the boundaries of a special district.
Both Planning Director Jeff Darrow and Planner V Tracie-Lee Camero were available in the Hilo
Chambers to respond to questions.
Acting Chair Galimba inquired about potential conflicts between zoning maps and metes and
bounds, particularly in the context of special districts. Mr. Darrow clarified that the bill applies
solely to special districts.
Both Committee Member Heather Kimball and Acting Chair Galimba voiced their support for
the bill.
Bill No. 29 was referred to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions on February 18,
2025.
PCPLUED Report No. 5
PCPLUED-5 Page 2 July 22, 2025
On June 23, 2025, Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication 142.1,
forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Council from the Windward Planning Commission
and the Leeward Planning Commission as recommended by the Planning Director, including a
friendly amendment from the Planning Department.
Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Committee Meeting of July 22, 2025.
Planning Director Jeff Darrow and Deputy Planning Director Michelle Alm were present in the
Kona Chambers to present both Planning Commission's recommended amendments to the
Committee and respond to questions.
Committee Member James Hustace assumed the role of Acting Chair. Member Kierkiewicz
proposed an amendment (Comm. 142.3) at the Planning Department's request to clarify language
within the section regarding metes and bounds requirements.
Bill 29 was then amended with the contents of Communication No. 142.3, approved with six
"ayes," and Committee Members Holeka Goro Inaba, Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, and Michelle
Galimba absent.
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development is in accord with
the purpose and intent of Bill No. 29, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its passage on first
reading.
ki
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,
POLICY COMMITTEE ON
PLANNING, LAND USE,
AND,9�&ONOMIC.DEVELOPMENT
ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
PCPLUED REPORT NO.: 5
ADOPTED: AUG 0 6 2025