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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0372.061 2024-2026oF C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. 4 Jeffrey W. Darrow Mayor =v QJiiDirector t William V. Brilhante, Jr. Michelle S. Alm Managing Director Deputy Director West Hawaii Office East Hawai'i Office 74-5044 Ane Keohok5lole Hwy 10 1 Pauahi Street Suite 3 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 County of Hawaii Phone 323-4770 Hilo Hdwdi'i 96120 Phone 061-8288' (808) Fax (808) 327-3563 PLANNING DEPARTMENT (808� Fax (80$)-�61-8742---1 DATE: October 27, 2025 TO: Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chairperson of the Policy Committee on Planning, L 04 Use, and Economic Development and Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: Jeffrey W. Darrow, Planning Director SUBJECT: October 27, 2025 PowerPoint Presentation Attached please find the presentation material from the Planning Department in relation to the following measure being heard by the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development on October 27, 2025. 9 Bill 66, Adopts the County of Hawai'i General Plan 2045 and Repeals Ordinance 05- 025, As Amended. Mahalo! Attachment. 1--orrim. No. 7ef. To: Aef. Date AC:E � 7'205 www nlanning.hawaiicountv.go Hmvai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer 121annina@,bawaiicounty.gov 71� A Thriving, Diverse, & Regenerative Economy 1IC'1 ►:�j U) Ln W 4NOA rWL M s C� a Chapters Introduction Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Adapting to Climate Change for Island -Wide Health Sustainable Development & Resilient Communities Elements Thriving, Diversified, & Regenerative Economy Agriculture & Food Systems Visitor Industry Implementation & Monitoring Economic Considerations in the General Plan 00 • Why is it important? • Helps align land use policies with economic growth goals • Encourages investment in areas that support local jobs and businesses • Promotes economic resilience against global and local economic changes • Ensures equitable opportunities for all community members -44 Sustainability Economic Trends r rr� r....v •v. .vw+�..v.w ...wv.� .. rvry .. v.. Tv.., ... �. In 2020, the percentage of poverty was 14%. In contrast, the poverty rate nationwide was 11.4%, and statewide it was nearly 9.3%. • The cost of living in Hawaii continues to be among the highest in the nation. • In 2020, we had the lowest self-sufficiency income in the state ($74,030 for a family of four, including one preschooler and one school -aged child), but that income is well above the federal poverty threshold for Hawai'i of $30,130 for a family of four. • Almost one -quarter (23%) of employed survey respondents in Hawai'i work more than one job. From 2017 to 2019, the population in Hawai'i decreased, in large part due to a high rate of net domestic outmigration. Of primary concern for economic growth, these outmigrants are more likely to be young, college -educated workers, a phenomenon often referred to as "brain drain". Domestic outmigrants (as defined by migration status over the past 12 months) were disproportionately younger adults (aged 18- 34) and educated (have bachelor's degree or higher) Economic• The average annual growth rate for jobs averaged 1.4% since 2005, mirroring population trends, and it is expected to mirror population trends experiencing a slight decrease in Trendsthe growth rate for the next several decades. • The 3 primary economic sectors are the services producing sector (education, health, accommodation, entertainment, food, professional, financial, real estate, public, etc.), goods producing sector (construction and manufacturing), and agriculture. • In 2020, over 85% of employment was in one of the industries classified as within the services producing sector. The agriculture sector represents about 6.5% of employment. • Tourism drives the arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services industries and much of the retail trade, representing a large portion of employment. • Employment in the construction industry continues to be the most volatile among the top industries, with notable spikes and dips in employment that generally correspond to fluctuations in the housing market . The top five growth sectors are educational services, business services, health services, eating and drinking, and professional services. Economic Trends . In general, about 42% of jobs are in Hilo, another quarter are in North Kona, 7% are in the Waikoloa and Waimea areas, and about 1 to 7% in each of the other population centers. . There are notable mismatches between locations of high population density and job centers. For example, Hilo has a surplus of jobs relative to the population, reflecting the fact that residents commute there from other communities. In contrast, the Hawaiian Paradise Park- Orchidland area has a working population that far exceeds the number of nearby jobs. . These mismatches are reflected in the Census Bureau's measure of mean travel time to work 26.8 minutes in 2020. . The greatest number of jobs are in government (18.6%); retail (12.5%); business, professional, and other services (12.7%); health and social assistance (10.7%); dining (9.8%); and hotels (8.6%). . Job data are geographically linked to the place of employment and can be used to identify characteristics of job centers. . There is a greater concentration of agricultural jobs relative to the state as a whole. . The information sector in the County is underrepresented as compared to the rest of the state, and employment in the finance and insurance industry has also been relatively low in the County compared to the State. BOOGIE Wo PIZZA �� n� III i. ��fn •� ��' Economy Agriculture Food Systems Goal: Agriculture is a robust, diversified sector that addresses food security and includes a broad range of agricultural -based businesses that highlight value. Economy Visitor Industry Goal: A high quality of life for residents is maintained when a regenerative visitor industry balances the preservation of natural and cultural resources with responsible visitation. Economic Objectives .Q. Obj 43: Improve access at all levels for education and training. Overall Objectives M Obj 44: Increase the growth and health of small businesses. El o ° o Obj 45: Incorporate resiliency, diversity, and innovation in County o} o programs, plans, and research to support healthy economic development and revitalization. Obj 46: Increase access to land for active food production. Agriculture &Food Systems Obj 47: Increase interagency coordination, programs, and policy O initiatives that improve local agriculture infrastructure. NObj 48: Support the visitor industry investment in its connection OOwith communities, the'aina, and our historic and multicultural heritage. Visitor Industry 4 Obj 49: Increase authentic Hawai'i Island visitor experiences. Examples - Connecting Goal, Objective, Policy & Action- Education and Training Goal Our economy is diverse, regenerative, and innovative, improving and maintaining the financial well-being of our residents with a focus on increasing local economic opportunities. Objective Objective 43: Improve access at all levels for education and training. Policy Policy 43.3: Support apprenticeships and workforce training to strengthen leadership and entrepreneurial skillsets and networks. Action Action 43.b: Continue to provide or expand County services and/or programs for workforce development and technical assistance. High -Level More Detail > 12 Examples - Connecting Goal, Objective, Policy &Action- Small Business Goal Objective Policy Our economy is Objective 44: Increase Policy 44.2: Streamline diverse, regenerative, the growth and health regulatory processes and innovative, of small businesses. associated with starting improving and maintainingthe financial well-being of our residents with a focus on increasing local economic opportunities. and operating a business. Action Action 44.a: Promote liaison services with the private sector with respect to the County's requirements for establishing businesses on the island. High -Level More Detail 1> 13 Examples - Connecting Goal, Objective, Policy & Action- Innovation Goal Our economy is diverse, regenerative, and innovative, improving and maintainingthe financial well-being of our residents with a focus on increasing local economic opportunities. Objective Objective 45: Incorporate resiliency, diversity, and innovation in County programs, plans, and research to support healthy economic development and revitalization. Policy Policy 45.10: Promote a distinctive brand for the island of Hawaii including distinctive, regional identities as an entity unique within the State of Hawaii. Action Action 45.i: Develop a market strategy that includes housing, a skilled workforce, quality of Life, and a healthy regulatory environment to attract emerging industries. High -Level More Detail > 14 Examples - Connecting Goal, Objective, Policy & Action- Agriculture Goal Agriculture is a robust, diversified sector that Objective Objective 46: Increase access to land for addresses food security active food production. and includes a broad range of agricultural - based businesses that highlight value. Policy Policy 46.8: Support the research and development of the agriculture technology industry in collaboration with agriculture applications to optimize production. Action Action 46.f: Invest in a crop suitability tool, including existing and projected water demand. High -Level More Detail > 15 Examples - Connecting Goal, Objective, Policy & Action- Agriculture Goal Agriculture is a robust, diversified sector that addresses food security and includes a broad range of agricultural - based businesses that highlight value. Objective Objective 47: Increase interagency coordination, programs, and policy initiatives that improve local agriculture infrastructure. Policy Policy 47.5: Promote the development of a locally grown building material industry through streamlined permitting or building code flexibility. Action Action 47.h: Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to study the feasibility of building code amendments and structural integrity testing for locally produced building materials, prioritizing non-native plant species. High -Level More Detail > 16 Examples - Connecting Goal, Objective, Policy & Action- Visitor Industry Goal A high quality of life for residents is maintained when a regenerative visitor industry balances the preservation of natural and cultural resources with responsible visitation. Objective Objective 48: Support the visitor industry investment in its connection with communities, the `aina, and our historic and multicultural heritage. Policy Policy 48.7: Support partnerships to evaluate visitor industry impacts, develop mitigation strategies, and incorporate educational programs on Native Hawaiian and community -based pono practices. Action Action 48.b: Identify and recommend opportunities for installing or improving informational signage to educate about and protect significant sites. High -Level More Detail '> 17 Examples - Connecting Goal, Objective, Policy & Action- Visitor Industry Goat: A high quality of life for residents is maintained when a regenerative visitor industry balances the preservation of natural and cultural resources with responsible visitation. Objective 49: Increase authentic Hawaii Island visitor experiences. Policies Policy 49.2 Strengthen the accessibility of creative industries and Hawaii Island -made products such as fashion, food, and the arts to the visitor industry. Actions Action 49.a: Streamline processes for Action 49.d: Continue to seek funds Action 49.e: Provide technical community -based programs, festivals, from the State Capital support for local businesses to and events. Improvements Program to support promote or further develop their facilities, including restrooms, products, services, and activities in parking, and road improvements. the visitor industry. For More Information Planning Website — Overall Process 2019 Draft General Plan Workshops & Public Input 2023 Draft General Plan Workshops & Public Input Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 The Final Recommended! Draft General Plan 2045 Is now available for public review and comment. To access the Final Draft am provide comments, CLICK HERE. Download a PDF copy of the Final Draft: Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 Jul 2v 024 Download a PDF copy of the Policy Rationale. General Plan 2045 Polty Rat onale Ju1v2024 Download a PDF copy of the General Plan Land Use Technical Methodology Report. Scenario Planning Techmcal Methodology for Genera l Plan Land Use(2024t Participate In the General Plan Comprehensive Review Process Public Workshops • August 28, 2024-West Hawaii Civic Cemer(Building A), 20 ■ �' • August 29, 2024-Arc of Hilo, 1099 Wilanuenue Ave, 2:00p • September 5,2024- Online Webinar Workshop. 5:00 p no to wea blrwr'.16 � bffteL&wro usyweb naNregrneUWN 1099gu9.u7p(Uy4Ppn �• • Video recordings w01 be available after the event. Community Meetings • September 17, 2024. South Kona at 5:00pm - Rodney Yanc N ` Hwy, Captain Cook HI 96704 • September 19,2024. Ka 0 at 500pm- Ka'D District Gym Mu'a Pahala, Al 96777 R1 r- Interactive Draft & Maps About Final Draft Review Polity Rationale General Plan Maps Online Workshop Contact Us Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 L — 1 44k •r•-rrt�.•t -. au r.. -.uu-r•-.Cff-Sf�f�iL7F177FTiSISS3fL. tfL]fliF.?iS81 J p� • w•a + 9 • a. g. 00 zo 10 MAHALO County of Hawaii Planning Department