HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPLUED 012 2026-06-16 2024-2026REPORT OF THE POLICY
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING,
LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: June 16, 2026
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 12:02 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 710/Bill No. 126
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development, to which was
referred Bill No. 126, reports as follows:
Bill No. 126, transmitted by Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz via Communication 71.0
dated January 15, 2026, amends Chapter 25, Article 1, 3, 5, and 7, of the Hawaii County Code
1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to the special districts.
This bill creates the Downtown Pahoa commercial (DPC) district as a new special zoning district;
establishes new permitted uses.
Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of February 3, 2026
Planning Director Jeff Darrow and Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell were present in
the Hilo Chambers.
Ms. Kierkiewicz shared that this bill would broaden permitted uses in the heart of Pahoa to
include commercial village and certain light industrial uses, and would codify cultural enterprise
as a recognized land use category. She emphasized that the bill does not create an improvement
district.
Committee Member Heather L. Kimball inquired whether the introduction of specific zoning
definitions might exclude those uses from other zones where general commercial activity is
permitted. Mr. Darrow affirmed the department's support for the specificity of the new uses and
noted that they are generally consistent with land uses permitted in other zoning districts.
Ms. Campbell stated that the new definitions add specificity without limiting existing broader
commercial definitions elsewhere in the Code.
Bill No. 126 was referred to the Windward Planning Commission and the Planning Director on
February 4, 2026.
On May 27, 2026, Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., via Communication No. 710.1,
forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Council from the Windward Planning Commission
as recommended by the Planning Director.
PCPLUED Report No. 12
PCPLUED-12 Page 2 June 16, 2026
Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development Meeting of June 16, 2026
Planning Director Jeff Darrow was present in the Kona Chambers to present the favorable
recommendations of the Department and the Windward Planning Commission.
Committee Vice Chair Michelle M. Galimba assumed the role of Acting Chair.
Ms. Kierkiewicz emphasized the importance of the bill for the revitalization of Pahoa Village,
noting that the bill empowers property owners to make decisions regarding their own properties.
She then proposed an amendment via Communication 710.3, which clarifies that the Downtown
Pahoa Commercial District designation is a voluntary, opt -in process for property owners. Bill
No. 126 was amended with eight "ayes," with Committee Member Rebecca Villegas absent.
Ms. Kierkiewicz also addressed community inquiries regarding infrastructure and
complementary supports to the DPC designation. She noted ongoing conversations with the
Department of Public Works regarding sidewalks and with the Department of Parks and
Recreation regarding public parking. She referenced efforts by the Department of Water Supply
to increase water system redundancy in Downtown Pahoa using eruption recovery funds, and
described ongoing discussions with the Finance Department regarding a potential revitalization
fund and with the Department of Research and Development regarding programs to support
small business startups and scaling.
Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development is in accord with
the purpose and intent of Bill No. 126, 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
%
Respectfully submitted,
POLICY COMMITTEE ON
PLANNING, LAND USE,
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
PCPLUED REPORT NO.: 12
ADOPTED: JUL O S 2026