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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PCPLUED 2026/06/16 (2024-2026)Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development 251h Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii June 16, 2026 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and ORDER: Economic Development was called to order at 12:02 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair. ROLL CALL Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Vice Chair Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member (via videoconference from Hilo) Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Member Absent & Excused: Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member STATEMENTS The Chair. directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business. FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individual registered to speak on Bill 125 (Comm. 709) and came forward when called by the Chair: Amadeo Markoff. In support. CHR. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Mr. Clerk, if we could move on to Business For the Day. But before we do that, I am going to transfer the chairmanship to my Vice Chair, because the items on the agenda are mine. Vice Chair Galimba. Relinquish Chair: At this time, the Chair relinquished the Chair to Vice Chair Galimba. Change Order As directed by the Acting Chair and with no objection from the Council Members, of Business: the following items were taken out of order: PCPLUED-25 June 16, 2026 BILLS FOR The Acting Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of ORDINANCES: business. Bills for Ordinances. Bill 125: AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 7, DIVISION 4, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE PAHOA VILLAGE DESIGN DISTRICT Clarifies duties, procedures, and other regulations regarding the Pahoa Village Design Guidelines and the Pahoa Design Review Committee; makes other technical and non -substantive amendments. Reference: Comm.709 Imr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Referred to Planning Commissions: February 4, 2026 (Note: There is a motion by Council Member Kierkiewicz, seconded by Council Member Hustace, to recommend passage of Bill 125 on first reading.) ; and Comm. 709.1: From Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., dated May 27, 2026, transmitting for Council's consideration and action, a letter from the Windward Planning Commission. ; and Comm. 709.2: From Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, dated May 29, 2026, transmitting a PowerPoint presentation for Bill 125. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Sure, I can tee things up. Thank you, Chair Galimba. Bill 125 is related to just modernizing the Pahoa Village Design guidelines that are currently in the Code. They've been in the Code for over a decade now. But there isn't clarity in terms of how members are appointed to serve on this particular body and the process in which folks that are looking to do improvements or build new structures in Pahoa are to utilize these guidelines. So, this is a simple measure. It's to create some housekeeping and clarity, so that the information is available to members of the community. Director Darrow from the Planning Department is here to offer a short presentation. And also, just want to note favorable recommendation from the department and the Planning Commission. Director. (Note: At this time, Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow came forward to address the members of the Committee.) Page 2 PCPLUED-25 June 16, 2026 MR. DARROW: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Aloha, Chair and members of the Hawaii County Council. Jeff Darrow with the Planning Department. I do have several presentations for us today. (Note: At this time, Mr. Darrow provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the presentation, see the DVD copy of the proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office, or online at http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com. A copy of the presentation is made part of the record, see Comm. 709.2.) ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you, Director. Any other comments or questions on Bill 125? Seeing none, all in favor of —this will be sending Bill 125 to the Council with a favorable recommendation, please say "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Bill 125: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 125 on first (Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, and Acting Chair Galimba — 7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Villegas — 2. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. We'll move on to Bill 126. STATEMENTS The Acting Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of FROM THE business, Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON BILL 126 (Comm. 710): The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Acting Chair: Amadeo Markoff: Eileen O'Hara: In support. In support. Page 3 PCPLUED-25 June 16, 2026 Bill 126: AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLES 1, 3, 5, AND 7, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS Creates the Downtown Pahoa commercial district as a new special zoning district; establishes new permitted uses. Reference: Comm.710 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Referred to Planning Commissions: February 4, 2026 (Note: There is a motion by Council Member Kierkiewicz, seconded by Council Member Hustace, to recommend passage of Bill 126 on first reading.) (Note: Comm. 710.3 from Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz dated June 16, 2026 transmitting a proposed amendment to Bill 126 was circulated.) ; and Comm. 710.1: From Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., dated May 27, 2026, transmitting for Council's consideration and action, a letter from the Windward Planning Commission. ; and Comm. 710.2: From Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, dated May 29, 2026, transmitting a PowerPoint presentation for Bill 126. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. I just want to open it up by saying this particular bill is about giving Pahoa a chance. Pahoa is incredibly special to me, not because it's in a district that I'm very honored to represent, but it was the community that my `ohana on my mother's side immigrated to from the Philippines. My great grandfather was a Sakada on the sugar plantations. My mother lives there; worked for Pioneer Federal before it became First Hawaiian Bank. I still have `ohana that live in that area. So, growing up spending a lot of time going through the town, and I have seen it evolve. And I can say that it has absolutely seen better days. In thinking about my role here on the Council and the tools that we have, we have legislative tools. And so, this is one way in which we can provide more opportunities for property owners to have a choice; to make decisions about how to use their properties to benefit community. Page 4 PCPLUED-25 June 16, 2026 There was a lot of work that went into this particular bill; years and years of community outreach. This actually came about because of unsuccessful attempts to do a Pahoa Master Plan because of a couple of lava eruptions and the global pandemic. I think it was a sign for the universe to look at other options. There was no way that a Master Plan was going to work because there are over 330 property owners in that particular area, and the County does not have the ability to direct what a property owner can do. So, this particular bill puts that into the hands of property owners where they're able to control their own destiny. This isn't going to solve every single issue that Pahoa is facing, but it is a critical first step in unlocking additional opportunities that the community has said in various plans. Puna Community Development Plan, the Kilauea Recovery and Resilience Plan, Revitalize Puna Initiatives. These are industries, occupations that community members say that they want to see in their particular community. And so, going to turn it over to Planning Director Darrow for a presentation. And really appreciate the time and thoroughness that the Windward Planning Commission took on this particular bill. We had a great discussion. There is an amendment for this bill. But Director, I do want to give you an opportunity to provide high-level overview before we talk about the amendment. Thank you. (Note: At this time, Mr. Darrow came forward to address the members of the Committee and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of the presentation, see the DVD copy of the proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office, or online at litti)://hawaiicounty.granicus.com. A copy of the presentation is made parl of the record, see Comm. 710.2.) ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair Galimba. At this time, I would like to amend Bill 126 with the contents of Communication 710.3. Motion to Amend: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to amend Bill 126 with the contents of Comm. 710.3. Seconded by Mr. Hustace. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. As I mentioned to my colleagues when I first brought this legislation forward and with meetings with community, I did mention that this would be an opt in process, that it is voluntary for property owners to participate. Page 5 PCPLUED-25 June 16, 2026 So, this particular amendment provides that particular language. It articulates the process for a property owner within the DPC (Downtown Pdhoa Commercial) to opt in using a form that has been created by the Planning Director. And it also identifies what the DPC area actually is. So, it's taking language from Bill 124, which is the rezone bill; it includes the map to show you the area that we are talking about. It would be properties between Post Office Road and Akeakamai Loop, near Jan's Barber, and it would be for properties that are immediately adjacent to Pahoa Village Road. Those are the properties that would be eligible to opt in to this designation. They wouldn't have to go through a formal rezoning process. Again, they would just contact the Planning Director, fill out a form and indicate that they would like to take advantage and opt in to this particular designation. Happy to answer any questions. Thank you. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Seeing no lights, I had a question. The proposed language by the Director and the language that you are proposing in this, are they complimentary? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you for that question. The language is in alignment with that language that Director had in the recommendation was initial language that we had worked on together. I do want to give a big shout out to Jacob Perry over at LRB (Legislative Research Branch), as you know, is our resident wordsmith. And so, he helped to refine the language, which is what you see here contained in this communication. The Director and the department are on board with what is contained here. Thank you. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. Okay, all in favor of amending Bill 126 with Communication 710.3, please say "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 126 with the contents of Comm. 710.3 to Amend: was carried with the following voice vote: (Approved Ayes: Committee Members Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, and Acting Chair Galimba — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Villegas — 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: On to the main motion. Council Member Kierkiewicz. Page 6 PCPLUED-25 June 16, 2026 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. I just want to take a moment to address some of the comments that have come in regarding infrastructure. You know unfortunately, we don't have all of the amenities that are seen in other towns. But I don't want to use that as a reason to not allow Pahoa to progress and grow; and to provide opportunities for folks to invest in their communities. So, I have been in active conversations with the Department of Public Works about how do we make the town more walkable. And so, they are looking at how they might be able to engineer sidewalks from Pahoa High School into the downtown area; and then hopefully, into the newer Pahoa area of Puna Kai. Again, that would make Pahoa more walkable. I am in active conversations with Director (Clayton) Honma about how we might be able to provide businesses in the area with parking at the Pahoa Community Center. It is often underutilized, and this would provide parking for folks in the community that want to patronize local businesses. As you know, some of the recovery money that our County secured because of the volcanic eruption went to the Department of Water Supply., They are taking a look at how they might increase redundancy and resiliency of the water system in Downtown Pahoa, and that would be extremely helpful. Particularly for the Fire Department, should there be calls for Fire Service. This would help them to respond to calls without having to bring tanker trucks in. That would increase the water capacity. The other thing that I am looking into and have spoken to the Director of Finance about is the revitalization funds that could be made available to, not just Pahoa Town, but downtowns, old plantation towns where property owners might not have the means to be able to renovate and improve their buildings. There's potentially a pot of money that can be leveraged in partnership with local nonprofit organizations to have some funding available. So, folks can improve their buildings. And then, I'm also working to get a bill over the finish line with the Department of Research and Development (R&D) to make funding available for folks that are looking to get small businesses off the ground. We have so many folks that have great ideas that are looking to incubate ideas, as well as scale their businesses in R&D, seems to have an appetite to want to invest in local ideas. So, this particular bill is catalyzing so much additional great work throughout the County. Again, this is just the first step in helping Pahoa Town with so much more to come. Thank you, Chair. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. All in favor of sending Bill 126 to the Council with a favorable recommendation, please say "aye." Any opposed? Page 7 PCPLUED-25 Vote on Bill 126: Draft 2 (Approved Return to Order of Business: June 16, 2026 The motion to recommend passage of Bill 126, as amended to Draft 2, was carried with the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, and Acting Chair Galimba — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Villegas —1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Now we can move on to Bill 124. The Acting Chair directed the Committee to return to the order of business. Bill 124: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-26 (PAHOA ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED) BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM VILLAGE COMMERCIAL—10,000 SQUARE FEET (CV-10) AND SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL—10,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-10) TO DOWNTOWN PAHOA COMMERCIAL (DPC) AT WAIAKAHI`ULA, PUNA, HAWAI`I, COVERED BY THE AREA AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN Rezones certain areas in Pahoa to a prospective special zoning district classification to be known as the Downtown Pahoa Commercial District, which is proposed for establishment via Bill No. 126. Reference: Comm.708 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Referred to Planning Commissions: February 4, 2026 (Note: There is a motion by Council Member Kierkiewicz, seconded by Council Member Hustace, to recommend passage of Bill 124, on first reading.) ; and Comm. 708.3: From Managing Director William V. Brilhante, Jr., dated May 27, 2026, transmitting for Council's consideration and action, a letter from the Windward Planning Commission. ; and Comm. 708.4: From Planning Director Jeffrey W. Darrow, dated May 29, 2026, transmitting a PowerPoint presentation for Bill 124. Page 8 PCPLUED-25 June 16, 2026 ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, at this time, I'm going to be withdrawing Bill 124. The area that the Downtown Pahoa Commercial District would be applicable to, all that information is now contained in Bill 126, the amendment that we had just passed. So, there is actually no need to proceed with this particular piece of legislation. Director, do you want to just confirm that for the record? MR. DARROW: Confirmed. Motion to Withdraw: Ms. Kierkiewicz made a motion to withdraw Bill 124. ACTING CHR. GALIMBA: Thank you. That brings us to the end of our agenda for this committee and for today. Thank you. ADJOURN- There being no further business Acting Chair Galimba adjourned the meeting MENT: at 12:39 p.m. Approved: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development AK/dt 22 rZ0210 ate) Page 9