HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0695.000 2006-2008 t! ~°Vision Do~'~'ntown Hiio
/~OZrJ The Mission of the EDH 2025 VisionKeepers is to energize, guide, inspire
~ and strengthen ParMerships within the community to implement the
~ ~B~
i~~ LiuingActionPlan.
0 ~
a~
y\
September 2Q 2007
..EDH 20?S
1+isionTCeepe~s Pete Hoffmann, Chairman
xun and Members of the County Council
a,,;r County of Hawaii
J 333 Kilauea Avenue, 2"a Floor _
vieeCn+tr Hilo, HI 96720
sudtu Aetvr _
Beebm Anaeraen Deaz Chairman Hoffrnann and Council Members:
ICaholo D~~itouu
Neii.EHckeon Subject: Envision Downtown Hilo 2025: ACommunity-Based Vision
social and Living Action Plan -First Annual Report
[<aWleen Nteleen At the Planning Commission's September 7, 2007 meeting, The Envision Downtown Hilo
Buteu;o'ttora-wdr 2025 (EDH 2025) VisionKeepers presented their first Annual Report covering the period from
noiiy Stt~aar January 2006-June 2007. The Annual Report summarizes the first 1-1/2 years of the
~.n ~ VisionKeepers accomplishments and a status report of the EDH 2025 Living Action Plan for
cAwrydrnwaaeia"Nnenepa.m~m~ Downtown Hilo. The EDH 2025 Plan was adopted by County Council Resolution 192-OS on
t'""°" November 22, 2005.
Ater Frast
~'dc~iyt~unrcece~kruaw" We are transmitting 10 copies of the Annual Report, dated August 2007, along with the
~ "e Planning Commission's transcript on the matter.
ry r~""ae
Mi[1l94 fttlQril' .
.8ecoraer We would like to request that this be placed on your next Planning Committee Agenda in Hilo
and will prepare a brief presentation to answer any questions you may have. Should you have
any questions, please contact Susan Gagorik, Planning Department Liaison, at 961-8288 ext.
256.
Sincere ,
'
ul Nash, Chairperson
- ~ - ~ EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
Attachments
cc: Planning Commission
cc/att: The Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor
Comm. No. ~7
i~~rf. To:
Raf. Uate SEP 21 200
Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 -'Ike is Hilo
' ' - c/o County of Hawau Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720
tl ~~Vision Doy„ntown Hilo
1' 2025
ANNUAL. REPORT
'y\ January 2006 June 200J'
~nvision Downtown ~i~o 2025:
A Community-~asec~ vision
Anc~
~iving Action Pan
August 2007
Prepared by Kylie Alexandra
for the
Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 VisionKeepers
Prepared for
County of Hawaii Planning Department
County of Hawaii Planning Commission
State Office of Planning-Coastal Zone Management Program
Hawaii County Council
Office of the Mayor
erarc V1sl
O~ g o
In the year 2025, Downtown Hilo
...Has a vibrant, thriving, and diversified economy that supports its residents, visitors,
and local businesses with a gathering place that builds on the community's unique scientific,
educational, historical, spiritual, cultural, and artistic assets.
...Is a green, sustainable environment with protected natural resources -magnificent vistas,
pristine waters, pure sweet air, and historic charm.
...Carefully manages its growth and development through sound planning and policies,
accommodating change while preserving its unique historical character, natural
features, and quality of life.
...Is a friendly, safe, and healthy community with affordable housing, accessible health care,
low levels of crime, well-maintained streets, pedestrian pathways, public places, and a wealth
of recreational activities for families and youth.
...Is a global magnet for education, culture, and the arts, building on its rich Hawaiian, ethnic,
and cultural diversity and shares these resources with the community and the
rest of the world.
...Is synonymous with the spirit of Aloha, a community that celebrates its unique character, rich
heritage, generational values, and vision for the future. Our hometown, Downtown Hilo, is a
welcoming neighborhood like no other - a wondertul place to live, work and play.
fj ~°V1n ~Oj'"ntown Hii°
2025
B;.
~ ~;;t
y~
t'! EnV1 n ~Oj'~'nfown Hiio
~ X025
~ ?s The Mission of the EDH 2025 VisionlCeepers is to energize, guide, inspire
e~I~ and strengthen Partnerships within the community to implement the Ptan..
~y~~
August 20, 2007
&DH 2025
Vi°tonKeepers Dear Mayor Kim, County of Hawaii Agencies, Hawaii County Council Members,
and Interested Citizens,
P°nl N°en
Qulr
On behalf of the EDH 2025 VisionKeepers, I am pleased to present the January
JiO
ce~"'ro 2006~1une 2007 EDH 2025 Annual Report.
s°an. wen.. Over the past eighteen months, I have enjoyed the honor of working with a group
~~w°a~° of selfless citizens who are committed to the community's Vision for Downtown
r<ancna Hilo.
Kaholo De6°m.n
Ndl &soke°° This group is called the EDH 2025 VisionKeepers, and the Vision is detailed in
smda J°vlk Envision Downtown H~!o 2025: ACommunity-haled Vision and Living Action Plan
Nie~° for Downtown Hilo.
Haee° °~"°`°-w`t` Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 is a model implementation project which relies on
°o~8haye collaboration between governmental agencies and community groups as a
measure of ks success. The VisionKeepers are documenting their trium phs and
s°°1° ~°d~ challenges to assist other Big Island communities who are about to implement their
Cowry o(Hawatl PnnNng neparm,ent Dawn
own community plans.
,u« r~
"'"'~~n°°""`"""`"`'"` This first Annual Report documents the VisionKeepers' work bringing the
Kyllewtexen&a community's Vision to fruition. The foundation being laid justifies CO~denCB that
~°°°"ry~n""s''°"""` this ambitious new approach to planning will ensure a vibrant Downtown Hilo for
M~•r the keiki of tomorrow.
xe<.~e.
EDH 2025 has enjoyed support from many community groups, County agencies,
Mayor Kim, and the Hawaii County Council. We especially thank Council members
Stacy Higa, J. Yoshimoto, and Donald Ikeda who have provided the funds
necessary to keep the Vision alive.
In the years ahead, the members of the VisionKeepers may change and the Action
Plan will be updated to meet the changing needs of the community, but I am sure
that by the year 2025, there will be no better town in the world than Hib, Hawaii.
Sincerely,
Paul A. Nash
Chair, EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
Ta~~e o~ Contents
Overarching Vision i
Letter from the Chair ii
Table of Contents iii
I. Preface 1
II. Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 VisionKeepers 2
III. Status of Vision Action Items 7
IV. The First EDH 2025 Town Meeting 12
V. EDH 2025 Financial Highlights FY Jan. 2006-June 2007 15
VI. Looking Ahead 16
VII.Acknowledgements 17
iii
This page intentionally left blank
iv
'reface
With a unique blend of cultural diversity, physical beauty, and historical importance,
Downtown Hilo truly is the 'Heart of Hilo'. Nestled between Mauna Kea and Hilo Bay, our
coastal town navigates a host of challenges -promoting economic vitality, managing growth,
preserving our environment, strengthening and sustaining our community, promoting health
and safety, and enhancing education, culture, and the arts.
Envision Downtown Hilo 2025: ACommunity-based Vision and Living Action Plan (EDH
2025) embodies a shared, unified vision achieved through collaboration and community
involvement. It is a community's attempt to articulate its dreams for the future and to use
those dreams as the foundation for building partnerships and leadership capacity in order to
achieve their vision. EDH 2025 is a model project which can assist other communities to
actively participate in implementation of their own community plans. In January, 2006, the
EDH 2025 VisionKeepers formed in recognition of the need for a committee to ensure
implementation of the Living Action Plan
The original Living Action Plan lists 6 Focus Area Groups, 29 Strategies and 72 Actions.
Currently, 28 individuals and organizations, both public and private, have committed to the
role of Lead Solution Partner for one or more Actions. Central to implementation of EDH 2025
is the collaboration between new and old partners.
As part of the Goals described in the following section, the VisionKeepers are responsible for
developing and presenting an annual progress report highlighting achievements during the
initial Implementation Phase. This first Annual Report outlines the VisionKeepers' major
accomplishments during their first 1 1/2 years as they shepherd this organic, authentic,
Community-based Vision towards the year 2025.
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006- June 2007 Page 1.
t«~
~,n~/ision Downtown ~i~o 2025 VisionKeepers
verview:
As adopted by the Hawaii County Council in the EDH 2025 Vision and Living Action Plan for
Downtown Hilo, the EDH 2025 VisionKeepers were established in January 2006 to provide
oversight during the implementation process. Initially called the 'Vision Implementation
Committee', the VisionKeepers ensure EDH 2025 remains a 'Living Plan' in accordance with
the community's overarching vision for Downtown Hilo.
Vision:
Our Vision is that the community embraces, implements, and celebrates the
community-based Vision and Living Action Plan
Mission:
The Mission of the EDH 2025 VisionKeepers is to energize, guide, inspire, and
strengthen partnerships within the community to implement the Living Action Plan
Core Values:
What we believe in and how we work together with others
• We have a passion for Downtown Hilo and a belief that it is a special place;
• We have a desire to make a greater commitment beyond public participation and
agree to live our mission;
• We appreciate the value and importance of community visioning and community
implementation;
• We believe in collaboration, building partnerships and community capacity building
as guiding principles in our work.
0 0:
~nVlsion DoN,htown H11o
~ The VisionKeeper logo provides us with an
~ 2025 identity, brands our processes, and helps
8;ti,` others to make a visual association with us.
1 Original design by Steve Parente.
o~
y~
Page 2. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 ~`w-.`.
S:`J
~/isionKeePer Representation:
The 19 person membership includes a broad cross-section of the community with varying points
of view -Lead Solution Partners, Government, Community, Downtown Property Owners,
Business Owners, and the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association.
Currently, there are 4 Ex-officio positions:
• Planning Department Liaison
• Research & Development (HCRC) Liaison
• Community Planning Assistant
• Recorder
KeU AccomP~is~ment:
Organizational Structure
During the first year and a half, the EDH 2025 VisionKeepers spent a considerable amount of
time organizing themselves. The VisionKeepers developed a functional and sustainable structure
under which they operate. Monthly meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of every month, with
the exception of December.
In addition, the VisionKeepers:
1) Elected a Chair and Vice Chair
2) Formed an Executive Committee which holds monthly meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of
every month
isionKee er u~r- ommittees:
Sub-Committee Purpose
P~OnlotiOnS • Promote EDH 2025 on an ongoing basis
Finance • Explore and secure financial support to sustain
EDH 2025
Evaluation Develop criteria for measuring progress; Tracking
and evaluating the Action Plan and VisionKeepers
Easy Win* • Keep track of Easy Wins completed
* An 'Easy Win' is avision-friendly or doable project that • Identify new Easy Win opportunities
is visible and can be organized and accomplished simply, • Prioritize Easy Wins for funding
quickly, and inexpensively-ideally in less than one year • Convey to VisionKeepers the need for funds
• Support Lead Solution Partners to begin their Actions
by supporting Easy Win projects that kick-off the
larger Action
Focus Area mentor Groups (FAMS)* • To Preserve the integrity of the Focus Area Vision
*The 6 FAMs are: • Each VisionKeeper is assigned to a FAM based on
Creating Economic Vitality their expertise.
Preserving Our Environment
Strengthening and Sustaining Our Community
Enhancing Education, Culture, and the Arts
Promoting Health and Safety
Managing Growth
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 3.
tt:~>
.y
VisionKeePer Goads:
During the first year and a half, the VisionKeepers established the following goals:
• Promote EDH 2025: ACommunity-based Vision and Living Action Plan
• Develop Relationships with Lead Solution Partners
• Update the Action Plan
• Produce an Annual Report
• Develop an Implementation Guide to Assist Other Communities
• Celebrate Progress by Hosting a Town Meeting and Showcasing Easy Wins
yisionKcePer~joa~s ~va~uation: January 2006-,~une 2O0J
The EDH 2025 VisionKeepers reached many of their stated goals. Each goal and the
VisionKeepers' pertormance measurement is outlined below.
GOAL: Promote EDH 2025: ACommunity-based Vision and Living Action Plan
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
.Kick-off implementation Celebration held in January 2006 to celebrate adoption by
County Council resolution of EDH 2025 and the initiation of the VisionKeepers.
•267 hard-copies and 50 CDs of EDH 2025: ACommunity-based Vision and Living
Action Plan distributed.
•KPUA Radio Interview with VisionKeeper Chair, Paul Nash, conducted on June 27,
2007.
.'Around Downtown' column coordinated by the Hilo Downtown Improvement
Association and published monthly in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, which highlights
EDH 2025 developments.
.Additional newspaper articles published in both the Hawaii Tribune-Herald (July 24,
2007;) and the Hawaii Island Journal (July 1, 2007).
.The First EDH 2025 Town Meeting conducted on June 27 2007 attracted over 220
people.
Page 4. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 .
(~'4ti
GOAL: Develop Relationships with Lead Solution Partners (LSPs)
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
.Focus Area Mentor Groups formed to visit to committed LSPs within their Focus Area.
This system proved to be unsuccessful, so the VisionKeepers are exploring new ways to
connect with LSPs.
.Action Item Surveys distributed to committed LSPs prior to the Town Meeting.
.Action Plan Basics Workshop hosted for LSPs and facilitated by Gail Clarke and Sandi
Claveria
GOAL: Update the Action Plan Matrix
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
.Updated matrix being designed with efforts underway to input new information.
•Website redevelopment began to allow more detailed reporting to the community.
GOAL: Produce an Annual Report
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
.The first EDH 2025 Annual Report completed in August, 2007 for the County of Hawaii
Planning Department, Planning Commission, State Office of Planning (Coastal Zone
Management Program), Hawaii County Council, and the Office of the Mayor.
GOAL: Develop an Implementation Guidebook to Assist Other Communities
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
.Implementation Guidebook in progress with an expected completion date of November
2007.
GOAL: Celebrate Progress by Hosting a Town Meeting and Celebrating Easy Wins
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
.The EDH 2025 VisionKeepers, the Hilo Downtwon Improvement Association and the
County of Hawaii Planning Department co-hosted the First EDH 2025 Town Meeting on
June 27, 2007, at the historic Palace Theater.
.Over 220 people attended the event .
•LSPs reported on Actions and Easy Wins with 5 presentations and 19 exhibits.
.Guests were treated to a 'Green' Pupu Reception and great local entertainment.
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 5.
t''~
UisionKee~er Professional Deve~oPment:
The 45th Annual International Making Cities Livable Conference .
Three VisionKeepers and the Planning Department Liaison VisionKeeper attended the 45th
Annual 'International Making Cities Livable' Conference in Portland, OR, with partial funding from
Hawaii County Council Discretionary Funds. The conference increased the leadership capacity of
community members for implementation, and provided valuable tools and information for the
VisionKeepers to share with EDH 2025's Lead Solution Partners.
Bend 2030 Vision Implementation Committee
Two VisionKeepers and the Planning Department Liaison VisionKeeper met with the Chair of the
Bend 2030 Vision Implementation Committee, in Bend, OR. This opportuntiy allowed the
VisionKeepers to connect with another community who are also implementing their own
community-based plan, and to explore the potential for future partnerships between the towns.
i
Prime Example of a 'Livable City' -
Mixed Use Development with
Public Transport (Portland, OR)
EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
With the Bend 2030 Vision
Implementation Committee
Page 6. EDH 2025 Annual RepoA Jan 2006-June 2007
t,~J
.4
Status of Vision Action ~tems
verview:
The VisionKeepers' responsibility is to monitor progress of the Living Action Plan. In the past
year, the VisionKeepers have contacted the Lead Solution Partners (LSPs) to receive updates
on the status of their Actions and to ensure timely progress. Outlined below are highlights of the
Actions and 'Easy Wins' which are underway or have been implemented in the past 18 months.
A more detailed synopsis will be included in the updated Action Plan.
ctions:
The following Actions are listed according to their Focus Area, Status, and Lead Solution Partner
Focus Area 1: Creating Economic Vitality
Actions Implemented
LSP: Alice Moon 8~ Company
Action 1.51
30,000 people attracted to Hilo through the organization 7 support of existing
events, such as the 6th Annual Black & White Night, 3rd World Heritage Festival,
and the 5th Chinese New Year
Action 1.54
A new celebration, "Helana Aloha No Ka Moi Kalakaua", held on April 14, 2007
LSP: County of Hawaii Mass Transit Agency
Action 1.14
Bike racks installed on Hele-on buses
LSP: County of Hawaii Degt. of Research and Develoument
Action 1.51
Events in Hilo supported and marketed through the Hawaii Tourism Authority's
(HTA) County Product Enrichment Program (CPEP)
Action 1.52
Economic impact of events and activities in Hilo studied through the HTA's CPEP
Action 1.53
Big Island Visitor's Bureau (BIVB) supported in efforts to attract the Conventions
and Meetings Industry
Action 1.54
NEW festivals and events supported
Action 1.72
Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association and the Big Island Farm Bureau
partnered with for educational tours of the Hilo Farmers Market, and for the Taste of
the Hawaiian Range events
LSP: The Palace Theater
Action 1.51
Existing local-style festivals and events supported such as the May Day Lei
Festival, the Chinese New Year Gala, and many more
Action 1.54
"Hawai'iana Live",anew cultural tourism program, created and performed every
Wednesday morning
"r'^--
`tw>
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 7.
Actions Underway
LSP: County of Hawaii Dept. of Research and Development
Action 1.13
Shuttle bus conducted throughout the Merrie Monarch festival which transported
locals and visitors around various events, and provided a foundation for a
permanent Downtown Hilo Shuttle
Action 1.22
Plans developed for a Bay front Trail connecting the Wailuku River to Suisan
Bridge
LSP: Keith De La Cruz. Hilo Farmers Market
Action 1.71
Design created for a permanent farmers market
Focus Area 2: Preservin_g Our Environment
Actions Implemented '
LSP: Ann L. Kalber. Tropical Visions
Action 2.21
Photo inventory of Downtown Hilo and existing
view planes established
Actions Underway Photo courtesy of Tropical Visions
LSP: Bike Systems Advocates
Action 2.32
Map designed connecting bikeways, paths, and lanes
LSP: Wailuku River Walk Steering Committee
Action 2.12
Plans developed to increase access to, and visibility of the Wailuku River
LSP: Hilo Downtown Improvement Association
Action 2.52
Landscaping project implemented to preserve Hilo's pocket parks and gardens
Focus Area 3: Stren_gtheninp and Sustaining Our Community
Actions Implemented
LSP: Countv of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development
Action 3.51
Collaborative efforts with various supporting partners provide shelter options for
Downtown Hilo's homeless
LSP: Hilo Downtown Improvement Association and EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
New Action!
EDH 2025 Town Meeting co-hosted on June 27, 2007, to celebrate progress of EDH
2025 Living Action Plan
LSP: The Palace Theater
Action 3.12
Ongoing youth-centered activities conducted which includes youth concerts, anti-
drug rock concerts, summer theater workshops, and the production of a 3-minute
video on caring for the land
Page 8. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 w,-~.~...
t<<J
Actions Underway
LSP: County of Hawaii Dept. Parks and Recreation
New Action!
Canoe Hale improvements included in comprehensive Hilo Bayfront park project
LSP: EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
Action 3.21
Initial stage of this Action completed with the formation of the EDH 2025
VisionKeepers
Focus Area 4: Enhancing Education. Culture. and the Arts
Actions Implemented
LSP: East Hawaii Cultural Council. The Lyman Museum. and The Palace Theater
Action 4.11
Coordinated efforts applied for special needs, such as fundraising, producing
concerts, and the May Day Museum Photo Shoot
LSP: East Hawaii Cultural Council
Action 4.11
Pu'ueo Community Leaders supported while forming their Community Association
Focus Area 5: Promoting Health and Safety
Actions Implemented
LSP: County of Hawaii Dept. of Public Works
Action 5.23
High-technology decorative lights installed on Haili St to improve ambience
Decorative lights installed
on Haili Street
Actions Underway
LSP: County of Hawaii Dept. of Public Works
Action 5.23
Decorative street lights planned for Kamehameha Ave, from Mamo St to
Waianuenue Ave; Street light upgrade planned for Ponahawai @Kamehameha;
Pedestrian cross-walk upgrade to solar power planned for Kamehameha @Mamo
Action 5.41
Improvement underway to 204 ramps on sidewalks to further comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-dune 2007 Page 9.
t~~~
Focus Area 6: Mana_aing Growth
Actions Implemented
LSP: County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development
Action 6.51
Incentives provided for developers to provide housing in Downtown Hilo through
the Hawaii County Code, Chapter 11; Under the administration of Mayor Harry
Kim, County departments expedite processes for developers that produce housing
in excess of their minimum requirement
Actions Underway
LSP: EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
Action 6.32
Action Plan's consistency with "Smart Growth"
Principles evaluated as part of Action Plan Update
LSP: The Palace Theater
Action 6.43
Preservation, renovation, and restoration of the Palace
Theater provides a prototype for design guidelines
The Palace Theater on Haili St
Summary of Actions
Total Number of Actions Implemented:
2006-2007: 13
(Number which are ongoing: 9)
Total Number of Actions Underway:
2006-2007: 12
Page 10. EDH 2025 Annual Repoli Jan 2006-June 2007
ty
as Wigs:
An 'Easy Win' is defined as a "Vision-friendly or doable project that is visible and can be
organized and accomplished simply, inexpensively and quickly-ideally in less than, one year".
The following 'Easy Wins' are highlights from the past 18 months.
Birds, Buas, and Watersheds
The Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group (HBWAG) recently initiated free monthly events at the
Mokupapapa Discovery Center. These events are open to the public and feature prominent guest
speakers who are knowledgeable about Hawaii's natural environment. They provide valuable
opportunities to learn more about Hilo's unique ecological systems.
Survev of Existing Businesses in Downtown Hilo
On April 30, 2007, EDH 2025 workshop facilitator Cherie Enns returned to Hilo to collaborate
with the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association and the County Of Hawaii Planning
Department on coordinating an inventory of existing businesses in the commercial zoned district.
Nineteen Geography students from the University College of Fraser Valley in British Columbia
participated as well as two Geography students from UH Hilo.
The inventory will be used to create a community planning map which will highlight development
opportunities in Downtown Hilo.
Painting the Planters Along Kamehameha Ave
On November 18, 2006, "Rotary Gives Back" Day, planters along Kamehameha Ave were
painted based on a color scheme created by Dennis Hooper in conjunction with Connections
Public Charter School. The Rotary Club of Hilo coordinated the project, with support from
Waiakea High School Interact Club members, Connections Public Charter School, Aloha Green,
Leonard Bisel Associates, Dennis Hooper, and the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association.
flew Planters along
Kamehameha Ave
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 11.
~U. The ~irst ~DH 2025 Town ~eetin~
verview:
On June 27th, 2007, the EDH 2025 VisionKeepers, Hilo Downtown Improvement
Association, and the County of Hawaii Planning Department co-hosted the first EDH 2025
Town Meeting at the historic Palace Theater. Approximately 220 people attended to
celebrate the progress of EDH 2025, and to voice their priorities for the future of
Downtown Hilo. The Town Meeting also provided an opportunity for our Lead Solution
Partners to exchange ideas and recruit volunteers as Supporting Partners. The EDH 2025
VisionKeepers are using the results from the Town Meeting Survey to actively chart the
next steps for implementation of the Community-based Living Action Plan.
DcscriPtion of ,vents:
OPEN HOUSE
19 Lead Solution Partner exhibits showcased accomplishments to
the community
LSPs INACTION
5 Lead Solution Partners highlighted their organization's efforts towards
Implementation with short presentations
REMARKS ON CELEBRATING PROGRESS
Community Visioning expert Steven Ames returned to Hilo to offer sties Mcci"re, LsP
inspirational words on the progress of EDH 2025
REMARKS ON CREATING PUBLIC GATHERING PLACES
'Livable Cities' expert Suzanne Crowhurst Lennard offered advice on the
importance of creating public places where people can talk story, and
where children can explore and play
Suzanne Lennard
KEYNOTE VIDEO PRESENTATION
Kepa Maly, Manu Meyer, Ian Birnie, Alice Moon, and Tom Wolforth inspired the audience by
honoring Hilo's past and reflecting on why Downtown Hilo is so special
Page 12. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007
`•s
entertainment:
• Bob Alder and the Historic Pipe Organ
• Welcome Oli performed by Leilehua Yuen
• Downtown Dynamos performed their special
Hilo version of "Downtown!"
Downtown Dynamos Opening the Show
• Jeri Gertz reprised her role as 'Gypsy' to sing
"Everything's Comin' Up Downtown!"
j Guests enjoyed a 'Green' Pupu Reception
'Green' Pupu Reception
valuation:
At the close of the first EDH 2025 Town Meeting, attendees were asked to give feedback on
what they believe are the priorities in the Living Action Plan for the next 5 years. Of the more
than 220 people attending, 77 people responded.
• Respondents identified which 3 'Easy Win•' projects they would most like to see implemented
in the next year. The graph below indicates the distribution:
50 : i ,t'~. is -
45 ~ ;
~r ~ x ~ h ,1 ~ ~Y -
40 , ~ M1 ~ t ~ r +'re k 5 a ~ 2' sa t r~ 6 .
f YiU e L k._ a^ F ~ ;C~b _ A
30
25 3r z3`~ } e. « `k""AS ~ s k s' 3 z~ #
s~ 4 } s.
20 4 f..: ~ ~ ~ f Y 1z S ~ „t'R yYS k~
e~~ r ;
5 z. ; ~ r, r
a
0 ie s?, ~ , zr
Hanging Pocket Parks Install a Shuttle Bus Clean up Emergency BID
Baskets Bench Wailuku Riper Response Workshop
Education
M'Easy Win' is avision-friendly or tloable project that can be organized and accomplished simply, quickly, and inexpensively-ideally in less
than one year
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 13.
P~~
_ . .
• Respondents also identified which 3 Major Projects they would most like to see implemented
in the next 5 years. The following graph indicates the distribution:
60
`~c-"r~ -
50
~ v
30 ~
20 ~ ~ ~
10
,
0
W N W N d
N~~ N N a ~ C v ~ N
16 ~ Q ~ N ~ 10 .N ~ O N W
t0 U) y IViI W O ~ N 0_ m
aLL~ ~ 3 y mcn o =m
~ ~ o_
More ~ma~es From tie Town Meeting
2a
Guests lined up outside the Palace Theater
Susan O'Neill of Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
r
~~~t
Steven Ames Presenting His Remarks {
LSPs and the Community
Page 14. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 .:r-.,y,.
' v. ~D~ 2025 ~inancia) ~ig~l~i~hts ~ Jan. 2006 June 2007
Total Income Nom All Funding Sources: E 81 374.79 _ _
Total Expenses from All Funding Sources: E 47.000.10
Balance: E 34.589.84
Encumbered for FY 07-08: S (24.510.001
Total Ca over: Available Cash for FY 07-08: 10 7 .98
FUNDING SOURCES:
Planning Department-Council Discretionary Funds
I~gLn ur ose mount Bal n
Deposit Discretionary Funds - Councilman Higa $ 10,000.OD 10,000.00
Deposit Discre0onary Funds - Councilman Yoshimoto $ 10,000.00 20,000.00
Town Meeting Guest Speaker/Trainer: Suzanne Lennard $ (4,679.44) 15,320.56
HDIA Contract Town Meeting Co-Host and Organizer $ (6,000.00) 9,320.56
Professional Dev. - VK Int'I Making Cities Livable Conference $ (5,641.19) 3,679.37
LSP -Training June 30th LSP Action Plan Basics Workshop $ (1,676.24) $ 2,003.13
VisionKeepers June 28th VK Special Meeting $ (11.06) $ 1,992.07
TOTAL PD COUNCIL FUNDS EXPENSES 5 (18,007.93)
TOTAL PD COUNCIL FUNDS INCOME S 20,000.00
BALANCE S 1,882.07
CASH AVAILABLE NO CARRYOVER ALLOWED 0.00
Planning Department-Miscellaneous Funds
1 em Puroose Amou Balance
Deposit Recorder $ 10,000.00 10,000.00
Recorder Invoiced $ (1,500.00) 8,500.00
Independent Contractor Recorder-Total Invoiced from Contrail $ (3,490.00) 5,010.00
TOTAL PD MISC FUNDS EXPENSES E (4,990.00)
TOTAL PD MISC INCOME S 10,000.00
BALANCE 5 5,010.00
ENCUMBERED FOR 07-OB S 5,010.00
CARRY OVER -CASH AVAILABLE 0.00
Planning Department-Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Funds
Puroose Amount Balance
Deposit $ 40,000.00 40,000.00
New Carryover $ 10,000.00 50,000.00
Implementation Kick off LSP and VK Training $ (374.02) 49,625.98
FacifitatorlTrainer -Kick-off Steven Ames/Chede Enns $ (5,780.65) 43,845.33
Independent Contractor Recorder-Invoiced $ (280.00) 43,565.33
Professional Dev. - VK CZM 07 Conference - VK $ (1,827.86) 41,737.47
Tovm Meeting Guest Speaker/Trainer:Steven Ames $ (6,587.67) 35,149.80
Supplies DVDs, presentation boards, seals, CD covers $ (477.40) 34,672.40
VisionKeepers Special VK Meetings $ (120.65) 34,551.75
Facilitator Sept. 06 Special VK Meeting (Clarke) $ (300.00) 34,251.75
Professional Dev. - VK Family Community Leadership Training $ (166.92) 34,084.83
Misc. Contrail Create Action Plan in 6ccel Template $ (220.00) 33,864.83
Independent Contractor Community Planning Assistant -Total Invoiced $ (4,500.00) 29,364.83
TOTAL PD CZM FUNDS EXPENSES S (20,635.17)
TOTAL PD CZM INCOME S 50,000.00
BALANCE S 29,364.83
ENCUMBERED FOR CPA 07A8 $ (19,500.00)
CARRY OVER -CASH AVAILABLE $ 9 864.83
Big Island Resource Conservation & Development Council
Item Puroose Amon Balance
Deposit - Mo'BeOah Grant Implementation Kick-off Celebration $1,374.79 $1,374.79
Kick-off Celebration Marketing and operating expenses -1374.79 0
Deposit Donation -Keith De La Cruz $215.15 $215.15
TOTAL BIRC&D EXPENSES 51,374.79
TOTAL INCOME $1,589.94
BALANCE & CARRYOVER $215.15
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 15.
l;"'.
V~. L,ookin~ A~tead
The EDH 2025 VisionKeepers have an ambitious set of goals for the next year. The following
highlights what the VisionKeepers hope to accomplish.
• The VisionKeepers will spend time reflecting on the first 1 1/2 years of EDH 2025
Implementation and will document their'lessons learned' into an Implementation Guidebook.
This Guidebook will be shared with other communities, in particular Kona and Puna, who will
soon adopt their own community plans. The VisionKeepers' experiences and tools developed
will be invaluable to those communities.
• The VisionKeepers will continue to strengthen relationships with Lead Solution Partners to
implement priority Actions and Easy Wins.
• The Action Plan Matrix will be updated to ensure current and relevant information is accessible
to both the community and LSPs. In addition, it will be located on EDH 2O25's new,
comprehensive website which is also under construction (http://co.hawaii.hi.us/edh2025/
• The VisionKeepers will explore the creation of a permanent `home' for themselves.
• Of course, planning for The Second EDH 2025 Town Meeting will soon begin!
~ ~1
s.
Image of Downtown Hilo courtesy of Tropical Visions
Page 16. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007
i
U~. Acknowledgements
~Dh 2025 VisionKeePers:
Paul Nash-Chair
James Leonard-Vice Chair
Leah Craft-Treasurer
Sudha Achar
Barbara Andersen
Kaholo Daguman
Neil Erickson
Sonia Juvik
Cheryl 'Quack' Moore
Kathleen Nielsen
Eileen O'Hora-Weir
Dolly Strazar
Alex Frost-HCRC Liaison
Susan Gagorik-Planning Department Liaison
Kylie Alexandra-Community Planning Assistant
Marlene Murray-Recorder
}zetired VisionKee~ers:
Keith Akiyama, Andrew Chun, William 'Tip' Davis, Alice Moon, James Morin,
Bonnie Geiger, Julie Cade Bon, Donna Saiki, and Julie Tulang
~ndePenclent Contractors:
Marlene Murray-Recorder
Kylie Alexandra-Community Planning Assistant
P~annin~ DcPartmentjtudent ~nterns:
Megan Martens (Spring 2007)
LeAna Gloor (Summer 2007)
EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 17.
Committed Lead Solution Partners:
Lead Solution Partners were initially chosen by the community as the best organization
or individual to implement the Actions. Our Committed Lead Solution Partners have
agreed to implement the Actions assigned to them.
Hilo Downtown Improvement Association
EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
Lyman Museum
Alice Moon & Company
East Hawaii Cultural Council
Hilo Public Library
Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
Palace Theater
Recycle Hawaii
Tsunami Museum
Wailuku River Walk Steering Committee
YWCA
Andersen, Barbara
Bike Systems Advocates
Connections Public Charter School
De La Cruz, Keith
Big Island Resource Conservation & Development Council
Ann L. Kalber, Tropical Visions
County of Hawaii Departments:
Public Works
Planning Department
Parks & Recreation
Research & Development
Mass Transit Agency
Environmental Management
Civil Defense
Office of Housing & Community Development
Police Department
Fire Department
Page 18. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007
s~~
k
Eph 202j Town, ~eetin~
PRESENTERS:
EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
Hilo Downtown Improvement Association
County of Hawaii Planning Department
SPONSORS:
Office of State Planning-Coastal Zone Management Program
County of Hawaii Planning Department
Hawaii County Council members Stacy Higa & J. Yoshimoto
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
Paul Nash
LSP PRESENTERS:
Tom Brown, Hilo Downtown Improvement Association
Bruce McClure. Dept. of Public Works
Steve Shropshire & Brad Kurokawa, Wailuku River Walk Steering Committee
Beth Dykstra, Dept. of Research & Development
Keith De La Cruz, Hilo Farmers Market
LSP EXHIBITORS:
Recycle Hawaii Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group
Alice Moon & Company YWCA
Hilo Public Library Hilo Farmer's Market
Wailuku River Walk Steering Committee Connections Public Charter School
EDH 2025 VisionKeepers Hilo Downtown Improvement Association
Planning Department Mass Transit Agency
Civil Defense Fire Department
Office of Housing & Community Development Police Department
Environmental Management Public Works
Parks & Recreation
FOOD & PRODUCT DONORS
Sustainable Island Products, LLC Piper Selden
Aloha Luigi Restaurant Cafe Pesto
Downtown Subway Emerald Orchid
Hilo Bay Fine Food Emporium KTA Superstores
O'Keefe & Sons Ono Kona
^.ti. EDH 2025 Annual Report Jan 2006-June 2007 Page 19.
For more information on Envision Downtown Hilo 2025, please contact:
The EDH 2025 VisionKeepers
c/o County of Hawaii Planning Department
101 Pauahi St, Suite 3, Hilo HI 96720
edh2025@gmail.com ~ (808)961-8288 ext. 256
http:/lco. hawaii. hi. us/edh2025/
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
SEPTEMBER 7, 2007
A regularly advertised hearing on the presentation by ENVISION DOWNTOWN HILO
was called to order at 9:11 a.m. in the County of Hawaii, Aupuni Center Conference
Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii with Chainnan William R. Graham presiding.
PRESENT: William R. Graham ABSENT & EXCUSED: C. Kimo Alameda
Takashi Domingo Atvin Rho
Andrew Iwashita
Shelly Ogata
Rene' Siracusa
Rodney Watanabe
Rell Woodward
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Christopher Yuen, Planning Director
Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner
And approximately 16 people from the public in attendance
ENVISION DOWNTOWN HILO
Presentation by The Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 (EDH 2025) VisionKeepers
on their first Annual Report covering the period from January 2006-June 2007. The
Annual Report summarizes the first 1-1/2 years of the VisionKeepers accomplishments
for the Envision Downtown Hilo 2025: Community-based Vision and Living Action
Plan for Downtown Hilo. The EDH 2025 Plan was adopted by County Council
Resolution 192-OS on November 22, 2005.
GRAHAM: Our first agenda item is a presentation by the Envision Downtown
Hilo 2025 VisionKeepers, and it's a presentation of the first Annual Report. And the
objective of this Envision Downtown Hilo is a Community-based Vision and Living
Action Plan for the Downtown Hilo area. Jeff, you want to give us a few words on that?
DARROW: Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, Members of the
Planning Commission, Mr. Chairman. The Envision Downtown Hilo Plan 2025 was
originated in December of 2005, for those of you that may have been onboard with the
Planning Commission might remember the plan coming before the Planning
Commission. The group that put this plan together has requested that they come before
the Planning Commission to be able to do an annual progress report and report on the
progress that has been made over the past year with the report. I've been asked to
introduce Kylie Ann Alexandra who's the community planning assistant, as well as Paul
1
Nash who's the chair of VisionKeepers. They're going to be the members today that will
bring forth the presentation.
GRAHAM: Thank you, Jeff. I have one testifier; and I guess it's sort of
discretionary whether testifiers speak first or speaks afterwards. But maybe it's good to
take the testimony first in case they bring anything to our attention that we should be
paying attention to while we get the presentation. So, if you would, please, Larry Black,
could you come forward and sit up at the table.
BLACK: Could I ask a question?
GRAHAM: Yeah, but usually if you're going to give testimony we'd like you
to sit down and swear you in, do all of that.
BLACK: Okay. I guess I' d like to wait and hear the presentation first, if I
may. Okay?
GRAHAM: Okay. We'll hold off on public testimony for now since that's
better for you.
BLACK: It would be.
GRAHAM: Sure.
BLACK: Thank you.
GRAHAM: So with their presentation, Folks, please come up here first. And
part of our protocol is to swear you in before you give any testimony. So do you swear or
affirm to tell the truth before the Hawaii County Planning Commission today on this
matter?
NASH: I do.
ALEXANDRA: I do.
GRAHAM: Thank you. And we'd like your name and your address before you
speak to us. But either one of you can start with that and go right into your presentation
as to however you'd like. Okay?
ALEXANDRA: Okay. My name is Kylie Alexandra and my home address is 342A
Ohai Street, Hilo, 96720.
NASH: And I am Paul Nash. My address is 15-2724 Welea Street, Pahoa,
Hawaii.
GRAHAM: Good. Then carry on. Thank you.
2
ALEXANDRA: Okay. Well, first of all we'd like to thank you for allowing us to
be here today. And we'd also like to especially appreciate Chris Yuen for his continuing
support for Envision
SII:ACUSA: Excuse me. Could you either speak up or get closer to the mike.
ALEXANDRA: Okay. Okay. Is that better?
SIF:ACUSA: Thank you.
ALEXANDRA: Sorry.
SIF:ACUSA: I want to hear you.
ALEXANDRA: As I was saying, we'd like to extend our appreciation to Chris
Yuen for his support of Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 as a model implementation
project.
Now in September 2005 Alice Moon and Susan Gagorik from the Friends of Downtown
Hilo Steering Committee came before the Planning Commission to present the original
document which was entitled Envision Downtown Hilo 2025, aCommunity-based
Vision and Living Action Plan. So this is the document that they presented to you at that
time. If anyone was not on the Commission at that time, we do have some spare copies
that. we have with Sharon, so you can collect those today.
Since then, a new committee has been formed to oversee implementation of Envision
Downtown Hilo, and that is the VisionKeepers. The mission of the Envision Downtown
Hilo VisionKeepers is to energize, guide, inspire, and strengthen partnerships within the
conununity to implement the living action plan. We are now 1 %2 years into the phase of
implementation and so we're presenting our first Annual Progress Report which outlines
the progress that has been made from January 2006 through June 2007. At this time we'd
also like to request to amend the cover page of the Annual Report to include the date it
was published, which is August 2007.
And if I may please move over to the board to make a presentation. Okay. First of all,
I'd like to identify the project area by referring to the map of Downtown Hilo. So you
can see here the project area for Envision Downtown Hilo which follows the
Commercial District in the Zoning Code for Downtown Hilo. But some of the actions
within the plan do extend beyond the boundary area. And we recognize that Downtown
Hilo is a very unique place, partly because of its location, nestled in between Mauna Kea
and Hilo Bay.
Now I'd like to refer to the Overarching vision for Envision Downtown Hilo, which is
this here. Now this was the community's vision that they articulated for 2025; and it's a
pretty broad vision. So because of that, the Living Action Plan itself is fairly
3
comprehensive. Within the Living Action Plan we have it broken down into six different
Focus Areas. Those Focus Areas aze creating economic vitality, preserving our
environment, strengthening and sustaining our community, enhancing education, culture
and the arts, promoting health and safety and managing growth. Those Focus Areas
themselves are then broken down into numerous strategies, which are then broken down
into individual actions which are to be implemented in order to then achieve the
overarching vision.
Now at the time that the community developed this plan, they nominated Lead Solution
Partners whom they felt would be most suitable for implementing the specific actions.
And right now we have 28 Lead Solution Partners who have committed to implementing
their actions within the plan.
Now the process of Community Visioning and developing an Action Plan is a very
powerful tool that's not often used in traditional planning approaches. It brings people
together to develop a common vision of their future and then it brings those people back
to work on the actions that are necessary to achieve that vision. It enables greater
community involvement to develop a foundation for building partnerships and leadership
capacity in order to achieve their vision. But the process does have its challenges.
Being a model implementation project, the VisionKeepers find themselves responsible
for educating both community groups and government agencies about the need for
greater partnership and collaboration by working with a plan. Sometimes we're not used
to working with plans since many of them seem to "sit on the shelf." And that's why the
VisionKeepers are such an essential committee, because we aze the ones who insure that
the plan does not sit on the self. We take it out to the people who need to hear about it,
who need to know about it, and ultimately will then buy into it.
And I'd like to pass over to Paul now. He can explain a little bit more.
NASH: Thank you, Kylie. So we've been at this for the past 18 months
and we have had successes. As far as successes, you can see the handicap ramps there in
the Action Plan. There are some lamp posts that have been put in. We have started up,
there have some actions started up, including The Hilo Bayfront trails, includes a lot of
the actions that are in this Plan. And we're working with Public Works and DIA in order
to put in more trash cans Downtown, and also looking into the recycling bins Downtown.
But one of our key accomplishments in these 18 months is not something quite so
tangible. It has been the development of our organizational structure and learning new
skills and new roles in order to assist the Lead Solution partners, the people who are
going to betaking the ball and running with these actions in the plan. We're finding a
way to shepherd the implementation of this plan, and encourage and help initiate these
actions.
4
When we stared, of course, there was no manual. There was no manual on how to do
this. This is a new process, at least to us, and I think to this island. As we go along,
though, we are writing the manual for other communities to follow.
We have set ambitious goals for this coming year, including some Easy Wins. Easy
Wins are something that are highly visible, fairly easy to implement. And one of the
things that we hope the Easy Wins will do is generate the excitement in the plan and get
people, more people involved with this and enthusiastic about implementing the plan.
Anal then there are also some larger actions which have been prioritized according to
surveys that we have done from the community, both in the initial information that we
gol in order to put together the community-based action plan; and from our recent town
meeting we put out some surveys to find out what is important. And these include the
Hilo Bayfront Trails project; development of the Wailuku River Walk; tsunami
preparedness training; interpretive signage For Downtown Hilo; a transportation plan that
will include traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, and multi-modal transportation systems.
Socne of these actions we've already have been pushing along and trying to get
underway; and others we are set to start this coming year.
The Implementation Guidebook is, like I said, we are writing a manual for other
communities to follow so that they can learn from the things we did right, the things we
did wrong. And there are a lot of other communities - as I know the people in the
Planning Department and probably all of you on the Planning Commission know about in
the different communities -that are trying the same sort of process. So hopefully we' 11
be able to guide them along in their efforts as well.
And, also, we will be having a second town meeting to report to the community the
things that we accomplished in our second year. So I'd like to thank everybody, again,
for the support that we have been given in this process for the first 18 months. We're
very dedicated to this; and we hope that you will continue to support us. Thank you.
ALEXANDRA: Thank you.
GRAHAM: All right, hold a second. Do we have any questions from the
Commissioners? Commissioner Iwashita.
IW.ASHITA: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I commend you on your dedication and
conunitment to improving the Downtown Hilo area. I have just a couple of, I guess,
these are more challenging kind of goals to suggest to you in looking at what you've done
so far. And you probably don't know but all of my Fellow Commissioners know that I'm
a staunch advocate of the community development plan process and, you know, my
position is it really should be going on an island-wide basis at this time. And we have
some resource challenges on that; but that's my belief.
Anci in that regard, as far as your transportation plan that you mentioned earlier, I would
like to suggest that you on the multi-modal aspect of it that, you know, you really look at
what would be an ideal kind of scenario for train stations in Downtown Hilo when 50
5
years from now we have half a million or seven hundred thousand people living here and
we can support a train system, where should those train stations be, to get thousands of
people to Downtown Hilo without having to provide parking spaces, like Portland does. I
saw your picture of the Portland light rails car in there. So I would like to see that
considered in your process.
The other is, as far as education is concerned, I can't really tell if your area extends up to
the schools on Waianuenue. But in terms of the goals to make Downtown Hilo a magnet
for educational kind of, I don't know what the exact word is But, you know, to develop
the educational aspect of your plans it seems to me rather obvious that Hilo High School,
Hilo Intermediate School and Hilo Union School should be incorporated, you know, and
tasked somehow to do that. You know, the schools are working independently to try and
improve the children's performance. So I think if they can work together, obviously if
the community really wants to help, you know, the schools and the students do better,
that will be a great help. So, no questions, just those comments.
GRAHAM: Commissioner Domingo?
DOMINGO: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to commend both of you and
the organization for doing what you're doing. I recall in the mainland that there are many
communities and towns which have gone into a similar kind of planning process. And
I've seen some of the results of their work, and it's just wonderful. It brings a sense of
ownership and pride in the community or town that they reside in. And it really
motivates people to do things which bring positive movements within the town and the
community. I'd just like to commend you folks for that.
The line is from the Wailoa River until up to what point, the planning boundaries?
ALEXANDRA: The boundazies extend from Bayfront, up to Kapiolani; and then
from Ponahawai Street over to the Wailuku River.
DOMINGO: I see. Then you're in a very compressed azea, aren't you?
ALEXANDRA: Yes.
DOMINGO: As Commissioner Iwashita mentioned, many times he has been
concerned about having a community development plan for Hilo, and not necessarily
specifically for the Downtown in itself. I don't know, might be a Mr. Yuen, is there
anything in your vision of the future to see that something would be done with respect to
a Hilo Development Plan? Because what we see here is the pressures of development not
only being concentrated in the Downtown area, but it's expanding, you know, expanding
and even as far as perhaps Puainako. And before, 10 to 15 years ago, the boundary was
probably up to that street going up to the University. That was somewhat like a
demarcation line; and we were saying that all developments or all commercial rezonings
and development should take place up to this point and not beyond. Because what we
were having then, the Prince Kuhio was being planned, you know. But I think what
6
we:'re seeing is phenomena], I think. I describe that as phenomenal growth taking place
and demands are coming in fast. And I was thinking if there's anything in your vision of
the future that something like that could be done.
GF;AHAM: Mr. Yuen?
YUEN: Well, the long-range idea in the Planning Department is that we
wi;~l have community development plans for all districts of the island. We started with
North and South Kona because of the degree of activity there. We lumped that into one.
A feedback that we got was that people wanted to see smaller areas rather than regional,
but: that also means more plans. So we also, we started on Puna. And we're doing North
anti South Kohala, but it's separate instead of doing together, as is the case of Kona. So
we have four on-going right now. In a couple of months, the staff has been working on
it, that we have available in the Planning Department. And we are going to meet and
decade are we going to launch another one in the next budget cycle. Because if we did
then we would go - you know, we prepare a budget request for the 2008-2009 budget that
starts in June 2008, actually July 2008 -and try to get funding for that, and see whether
we're far enough along to either move staff out or if we can add staff, because it is quite a
bit that's being juggled right now. So if we did one in the Hilo area, we'd probably do a
South Hilo District, because of this idea of covering the whole island. What happens
though, especially on the land use side, there are hot areas in any district where if you
thitilc about what happens with the Commission here a lot of the rezoning that we see is
really Waiakea House Lots area. So that might be an area of special focus. But the
Planning Department will do one, eventually do plans for the whole island; but it's a
question of resources and timing right now. So that decision we're going to get to pretty
soon.
DOMINGO: But going back to this, I think it's a positive movement in the right
dir<;ction and I think it's wonderful. Perhaps in time to come there will be special themes
that you would concentrate on. I know of some other areas for economic development,
you. know, they're attracting tourists to come to that area because of a certain thing.
Aside from that, I don't have any questions. I just congratulate you guys for doing what
you're going.
GRAHAM: Thank you, Commissioner Domingo. Anything further from our
Commissioners? Commissioner Siracusa.
SIRACUSA: Thanks for coming in to give us the update on this plan. I was on
the Commission and so I've been sort of following from the sidelines what has been
going on; and I've been very interested in it, especially because I'm also involved with
the Puna Community Development Plan.
I have noticed that some of the older structures have now been at least repainted and in
some cases renovated; and that was a very happy thing to see. And I was wondering if
your group had anything to do with that, if you've been encouraging property owners to
spnice up their places, and if not why not? But then if you have, is that on your plan to
7
continue to Yry to encourage or possibly find assistance in some way to help these
owners? It looks funny when you see something really nice with the modern colors and
all the little detailing and then something else that looks really seedy right next door. So I
was wondering, that was my first question. And I'll let you answer that first before I go
on.
GRAHAM: Ms. Alexandra, go ahead.
ALEXANDRA: Okay. Yes, that is definitely within the plan. And the Hilo
Downtown Improvement Association is one of our Lead Solution Partners who are
actively seeking the property owners for some of the more rundown building in
Downtown Hilo and trying to sort out what their plans are for those buildings. So
they've been our leader in that respect. But, yes, it is in the plan and we understand the
importance of it.
GRAHAM: Thank you.
SIRACUSA: And my second is that I did notice that the planters had been
painted and they had been replanted, and in some cases are not even being used as ash
trays and garbage cans, which is amazing to me. And I sure would like to know how you
accomplished that trick, because I'm struggling with it in Pahoa. And I was wondering if
there were any plans to continue along those lines in terms of plantings and beautification
of, you know, using natural materials, like plants to beautify the trees, whatever, and
medians. I notice there are a lot of places where there are medians where it would be
really nice to have some kind of vegetation. Is that in the plan?
GRAHAM: Mr. Nash, go ahead.
NASH: Yes, that is in the plan. We have been working with the
Downtown Improvement Association's beautification committee which has been at work
with those planters and getting the store owners or store, the people who are renting the
stores or, you know, the business owners to keep that up, to keep up the maintenance of
that. And they themselves, the beautification committee, have been going out and
painting the planters.
As far as the medians are concerned, we are looking into initiating a project, the VKs
(VisionKeepers) themselves, into doing a pocket park which might end up instead of
being really a park be a landscaping, a median or an island somewhere that, you know,
that could use some landscaping to beautify Downtown Hilo. And, again, we would
work with various community groups, no doubt the Beautification Committee too on that.
GRAHAM: Thank you.
ALEXANDRA: If I could just
GRAHAM: Go ahead.
8
P--.----
ALEXANDRA: Sorry, I'd just like to add one more thing. With the planters that
were painted, in addition to the DIA Beautification Committee, the Rotary Club of Hilo,
and also Connections Public Charter School were involved with that. So I'd just like to
acknowledge them.
GRAHAM: Thank you, Ms. Alexandra.
DOMINGO: Mr. Chairman?
GRAHAM: Mr. Domingo.
DOMINGO: Out of all those participants, potential participants, that there may
be, how many percent buy-in do you have with regards to the plan and what are you folks
doing?
ALEXANDRA: Could you repeat that, please. Percentage of participants
DOMINGO: Yeah. Of all potential participants, how many percent of them are
busying into the plan?
ALEXANDRA: Oh, okay. So in terms of the Lead Solution Partners, as I
mentioned, we have 28 so faz who have committed. I think the total Lead Solution
Partners identified is between 40 and 50, so I'd say roughly half so far of Lead Solution
Partners.
DCIMINGO: I guess when they see the progress and they see that it's beginning
to develop and become something of worth, then they'll come in and participate also.
T}~~ical human behavior, I guess.
ALEXANDRA: Yes. As we said we're in the first 18 months so far of
implementation. So it's very early on. And one of our goals for this next year is to
encourage greater participation with the Lead Solution Partners who have not yet
committed to their actions. So we're working with them to figure out how they can
participate and what needs to happen. So it's definitely one of our goals for this next
year.
GRAHAM: Mr. Nash?
NASH: And if I can add, I know you, when I heard you use the word
"potential," you know, we have these 40 or 50 Lead Solution Partners that were identified
by the community, and that was not these Lead Solution Partners at that time stepping
forward and saying, hey, I'll do it. So we're not going to, we're not intending to push
this on anybody who does not want to be a participant. And for those who say, no, I'm
son-y, I just don't have the time, we go out and we find more. So when you say potential,
there are so many potential Lead Solution Partners out there. I think we've really barely
9
tapped it. And I think once the momentum gets going, like you were saying, human
nature, people would want to get on board.
GRAHAM: All right, thank you both. We have one public testifier still, so we
thank you for presentation. You all can be seated.
ALEXANDRA: Thank you.
GRAHAM: And Larry Black, could you come forward now. Could I sweaz
you in first.
BLACK: Yes.
GRAHAM: Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter before the
Planning Commission today?
BLACK: I do.
GRAHAM: Thanks. So start your testimony with your name and your
residence address, and then go right ahead and speak to the Commission.
BLACK: Okay, well, thank you. My name is Larry Black and I live in Hilo
at 104 Kapaa Street. And is that adequate?
GRAHAM: Yes.
BLACK: And what I'd like to suggest in terms of the Downtown area is that
the State, I believe it's a State property, at the Tree Nursery on Kinoole Street be
considered as a possible azboretum. Right now it's a very attractive park-like area,
turfed, with probably several hundred trees in it that aze for the most part labeled for
anyone who's interested to be able to walk through and just, you know, admire them or
identify trees that you see periodically. But I think it might become a very attractive, I' 11
call it an arboretum with perhaps more plantings. I think that most people who visited,
unless you're like I am especially interested in plants, might not find too much going on
there or too much of interest, but I think that could be changed. And I know being a State
property that presents some issues that would have to be resolved to maybe make it
changed from a tree nursery to something that might have, oh, a small restaurant perhaps,
handouts that would explain the plant material and maybe tips on gazdening, that sort of
things. But I think it really could be quite an attractive addition to Hilo's, the things that
visitors and the locals like to come and see. So essentially that's my suggestion; and I'll
do everything I can. I'm working now with, I believe I'm a member of DIA. It's, the
enrollment process for me was kind of informal; but I believe I am a member and I did
help with the painting of trash cans, cleaning up of planters, that sort of thing. And I, you
know, will continue to do that. But, anyway, thank you very much for taking my
testimony this morning.
10
GRAHAM: Thank you, Mr. Black. You want to hold on a second in case we
have a question?
BLACK: Sure.
GRAHAM: Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA: Yes. The area you're referring to, that pazk-like area actually is
called the Hilo Tree Arboretum.
BLACK: I see.
SIRACUSA: The Tree Nursery is behind it in some of those buildings. So when
you go in from the other side where the DLNR building is, if you were to go, if you were
facing the DLNR building and you would move off to the right and go behind, that's
where the buildings are where the tree nursery actually is. Okay, that's No. 1.
I know the area you're talking about very well; and, you're right, a lot of the
informational signage is no longer there. There's a handout you can get in the office that
gives you the numbers, and then you refer to the list that tells you what the tree is.
Unfortunately it's just a list. It doesn't tell you really anything about those trees. And a
lot of cases those numbers are so faded off or totally missing that it's not helpful at all.
What I would suggest to you is that you deal directly with the DLNR who runs that
arboretum and make those suggestions to them; and maybe they would be open to a small
group, you know, a friends group, like Friends of Hilo Arboretum, helping them out with
doing those things for them, and doing a proper interpretative sheet on the trees that are
in there so that the public is really informed. And I don't know about a restaurant. But it
sure would be nice, I've thought often that to have a couple of picnic tables in there that,
you know, or at least some benches where you're wandering around if you got a little
tired, especially senior citizens, you could sit down for a while and admire the trees,
something like that. But that's just a suggestion to you. Yeah?
BLACK: Sure. Well, thank you. That sounds great.
SIRACUSA: And thank you for caring about our azboretum. We have some
beautiful trees in there; and whenever I go in there I don't see anybody else enjoying it.
BLACK: I know. I was the only one that day, so Thank you. Okay.
GRAHAM: Thank you, Mr. Black. Jeff, do you have anything further on this?
DARROW: No, I don't, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
GRAHAM: Okay, that will
11
SIRACUSA: Procedural, do we have to vote to accept or something the report,
or vote to approve the report?
GRAHAM: Commissioner Siracusa, I don't know of anything to that effect. .
Mr. Yuen, is there any action we need to take before we move on?
YUEN: No, this was just for the information of the Planning Commission
to let you know what's going in this effort in Downtown.
GRAHAM: Thank you.
IWASHITA: Mr. Chair, just for my information.
GRAHAM: Commissioner Iwashita.
IWASHITA: Is this presentation going to be made to the County Council also?
NASH: Right.
GRAHAM: I think the presenters indicating that it will be.
IWASHITA: Okay, good. Thank you.
The discussion ended at 9:42 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Nomura, East Hawaii Secretary
]2