HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 091 08/12/2008 2006-2008
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: August 12, 2008 Re: Comm. 1353
PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
78-128 Ehukai Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 3:00 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication 1353, reports as follows:
Communication 1353 from Mayor Harry Kim, dated July 18, 2008 nominates Mr. Frederic G.
Housel of Council District 8 to serve on the Hawaii County Planning Commission.
Mr. Housel is a 7-year resident ofHawai`i and is the proprietor ofKiele O Kona Coffee
Company. From 1995 to 2001, he was an Engineering Manager at Cisco Systems and is a
founding member of the Kona Coffee Farmer's Association. His community service includes his
presidency of Community Enterprises, Inc., and his participation in the Kona Community
Development Plan process.
Mr. Housel states he is a democrat and, if confirmed, he will serve the remainder of a term that
ends on December 31, 2010, replacing Mr. Alvin Rho, who resigned.
Pursuant to Section 13-4, Hawaii County Charter, the Hawaii County Planning Commission
shall consist of members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by Council.
At the August 12, 2008 Committee on Planning meeting, Mr. Housel stated he has lived in Kona
for eight years farming coffee and expressed his respect for the land and his desire to maintain
the climate, culture and land use, especially important agricultural lands.
Council Chair Hoffmann was interested in Mr. Housel's position with respect to the proposal to
split the Planning Commission into a Windward Planning Commission and a Leeward Planning
Commission and whether Mr. Housel supports the initiative and was willing to serve on a
Leeward Commission if the measure was successful. Mr. Housel stated he does support two
planning commissions because a Leeward (West) Planning Commission would be very
consistent with the Kona CDP and allow the people who have a much better knowledge of issues
to determine what should be done. Mr. Housel stated that he did not support the idea of dividing
the island into two counties, which he said a lot of people think is what two Planning
Commissions would mean. He believes having separate Planning Commissions will involve
local people and that's a positive thing.
PC Report No. 91
Communication 1353
Page 2 of 2
Councilmember Yagong noted that the position Mr. Housel is about to undertake is a very
important one and that should the measure for two Planning Commissions not succeed, he hoped
Mr. Housel would be able to attend all meetings, whether on the East and West side of the island.
Mr. Yagong noted that the ability to get the board together was one of the problems the
Commission experiences and stressed the importance of being available to attend meetings.
Mr. Housel stated he takes this responsibility very seriously.
Committee Chair Pilago recommended that discussion at council be waived and that
Mr. Housel's nomination and confirmation be accepted at this time. Committee Chair Pilago
also noted the Council must still approve Mr. Housel's appointment but that as a courtesy to
Mr. Housel, he need not appear before the Council.
Your Committee on Planning recommends the confirmation of Mr. Frederic Housel to the
Hawaii County Planning Commission and that Mr. Housel's appearance before the Council
would be waived.
and
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
HIGA X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA X`
JACOBSON X
NAEOLE X K. ANGEL PILA , CHAIR
PILAGO X
YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 91
YOSHMOTO X ADOPTED: AUG 2 7 2008