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REPORT OF THE POLICY
<br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING,
<br />LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
<br />DATE: August 5, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 313/Bill No. 60
<br />PLACE: Council Chambers
<br />Hilo, Hawaii
<br />TIME: 11:00 a.m.
<br />Council Chair and Members
<br />Hawaii County Council
<br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720
<br />Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred Bill
<br />No. 60, reports as follows:
<br />Bill No. 60, transmitted by Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication
<br />No. 313, dated May 2, 2025, amends Chapter 25, Articles 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7, of the Hawaii
<br />County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to zoning district regulations for
<br />meeting facilities, churches, temples, synagogues, and community buildings.
<br />The bill removes existing zoning regulations for community buildings, churches, temples, and
<br />synagogues and creates regulations for "meeting facilities."
<br />On May 2, 2025, Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication No. 313,
<br />forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Council from the Windward Planning Commission
<br />and the Leeward Planning Commission as recommended by the Planning Director.
<br />Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of June 3, 2025.
<br />Planning Director Jeff Darrow and Planner V Tracie-Lee Camero were present in the Hilo
<br />Chambers to present the bill, explaining it resolves inequities in the law regarding permitting
<br />processes for places of worship and identifies what is required for atypical events. Mr. Darrow
<br />shared that the bill addresses unequal treatment of religious uses compared to similar secular
<br />uses, following a court ruling finding that the Hawaii County Code violated the Religious Land
<br />Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
<br />Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba raised an example of church activities in Agricultural
<br />zones. Mr. Darrow said the goal is equal treatment for churches, buildings, and meeting
<br />facilities, and that, depending on the zoning district, a use permit or special permit would be
<br />required.
<br />Committee Member Dennis Onishi raised concerns about safety and enforcement. Committee
<br />Member James Hustace asked how the community is informed when a facility is designated as a
<br />meeting facility. Mr. Darrow clarified that weekend -only activities don't meet the criteria of a
<br />meeting facility and noted that, previously, places like churches in Residential zoning would
<br />PCPLUED Report No. 6
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