HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0396.000 2014-2016 Margaret Wille •Mll.q:;,1.:i Phone No. Hilo: (808)961-8027
Council Member :cP°'-� kms., Phone No. Waimea: (808)887-2043
District 9-North and South Kohala • :• � �� >
�I'''' Fax No.: (808)887-2072
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HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai'i
Hawai`i County Building Holomua Center West Hawaii Civic Center Bldg.A
25 Aupuni Street 64-1067 Mamalahoa Highway,Suite C-5 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Waimea, Hawai`i 96743 Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i,96740
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TO: Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair `— -+
and Members of the Hawai`i Count Council ‘...-_�
FROM: m%Margaret Wille, Council Member t
DATE: July 17, 2015 w
SUBJECT: Draft General Plan: Section on Policies and Goals
Discussion
I request 60 minutes to allow for a discussion on the attached Draft General Plan: Section on
Policies and Goals document.
Please place this matter on the appropriate August 4, 2015 Committee agenda.
If there are any questions please call me or my staff at (808) 887-2043.
MW/dh
Att.
Comm. No. 3' o 4
Ref. To: P 6.-
Serving
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Ref. Dote .JUL 1 7 2015
Hawaii County Is An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer
Margaret WilleMt,:oF;,� Phone No. Hilo: (808)961-8027
So-Council.Member 0°.L;--- ���, •. Phone No. Waimea: (808)887-2043
District 9-North and South Kohala
�yli , E-Mail: mwille@hawaiicounty.gov
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HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai'i
Hawaii County Building Holomua Center West Hawaii Civic Center Bldg.A
25 Aupuni Street 64-1067 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite C-5 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
Hilo. Hawaii 96720 Waimea, Hawaii 96743 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii,96740
DRAFT GENERAL PLAN: SECTION ON POLICIES AND GOALS
July 17, 2015
I. OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES
Principle 1. Prioritization of environmental and socio-cultural wellbeing.
All county decision-making shall routinely be based on whether there is a positive impact on
each of the following, in the following descending order of priority:
1. Malama `aina: Positive environmental wellbeing impact; and,
2. Pono: Positive social and cultural wellbeing impact; and,
3. Kuleana: Positive economic wellbeing impact.
Principle 2: Prioritization of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness:
The County shall routinely assess all programs to maximize public safety and emergency
preparedness, as a priority over public convenience.
Principle 3: Prioritization of Organizational Health
The County, and all its agencies and units, shall routinely self-monitor itself in terms of
overall organization and efficiency.
Principle 4: Prioritization of Fiscal Health
The County, and all its agencies and units, shall routinely pursue a level of fiscal health such
that government services can function efficiently for all basic services.
II. DISCUSSION OF THE THREE OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMIC
WELL-BEING, SOCIO-CULTURAL WELLBEING, AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING.
Economic wellbeing, environmental wellbeing, and socio-cultural wellbeing increasingly merge
once the focus is on long-term wellbeing. These are not silo classifications and instead are
interlocking objectives. As interlocking objectives the goal must be to positively impact all three
areas of wellbeing, and conversely to minimize harm to any of these three wellbeing objectives.
Every effort must be to avoid direct conflict between the three principles. Selection of strategies that
advance economic interests but does not provide for positive environmental and positive socio-
cultural impacts is not acceptable.
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island
Hawai`i County Is An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer
July 17, 2015
Page 2 of 13
For purposes of reviewing a proposed plan or strategy, an initial assessment shall be to individually
assess the following subcategories:
1. Short-term economic wellbeing (usually assumed);
2. Long-term economic wellbeing;
3. Social wellbeing of individuals and families;
4. Cultural wellbeing of the island's heritage and its diverse populations, including
preservation of and public access to sacred and special places;
5. Environmental wellbeing of the `aina, including of the land and soils, of the waters—
surface, underground, and coastal, and of the air.
Principle 1. Prioritization of environmental and socio-cultural wellbeing.
The highest priority of environmental wellbeing,There no longer exists the luxury of taking
the wellbeing of the environment for granted. The premise that the `aina will take care of
itself or at least will repair itself over time, is no longer a sustainable model.
Hawai`i Island is also faced with an increasing number of cumulative environmental
challenges —global warming, rising land and ocean temperatures, droughts, sea level rise,
harmful invasive species, and more turbulent weather patterns. These challenges must be
considered in all planning decisions.
The next highest priority of socio-cultural wellbeing. Social wellbeing encompasses all of
the human challenges that confront the community as a whole and as individuals, in terms of
basic needs, such as adequate food and shelter, health care, day-to-day safety. Cultural
wellbeing and a sense of place provide the foundation for a vibrant community identity
which encompasses that which is sacred and special to individual communities and as an
Island `Ohana.
A concerted effort to stem the rise in crime, especially drug related, must be tackled on a
community level and not just left to the police. Likewise with the economic downturn, we
are also faced with rising homelessness and rising numbers of children who go hungry to
school. Rather than continue with a focus on handouts for those in need, a critical part of all
social service programs—from housing to health care, must be to incorporate a job and
educational training to help break cycles of dependence "on the system".
It is also critical that the county engage the public as a community on a commitment to
community wide health, both mental health and physical health. Priorities with respect to
build out infrastructure and funding must reflect that priority. For example, providing safe
pedestrian access ways along with safe bikeways is now a higher priority than automobile
convenience.
The priority of short-term and long-term economic well-being. Short-term economic
wellbeing is an inherent human goal, starting with the need to provide for food and shelter
and thereafter for all other individual and family needs and desires. Each community
member has a kuleana to care for themselves and their family. Each community member
also has a kuleana—as an individual and community kuleana - to support the long-term
economic wellbeing of their community. Promoting and facilitating educational
opportunities is one key to long-term economic wellbeing. In essence education is about
July 17, 2015
Page 3 of 13
connecting those seeking knowledge with those who know have the knowledge in a
particular area. Those who are in a position to mentor, whether as an instructor, as an
employer, as a neighbor, or as a volunteer, are asked to contribute to the pool of knowledge
—to share their mana'o with those who seek knowledge and training in a particular field.
All community members are in a position to contribute to the island wide economic
wellbeing— in one capacity or another. We can no longer view the world in terms of two
classes - the haves and the have-nots. There are no free lunches. All who reside on this
island, who are a part of this Island, are asked to be productive, in order to face the
challenges ahead. Likewise there is longer room for the approach of"Fend for yourself'. We
share one and the same island canoe.
Principal 2: Prioritization of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The interim between the last major revision of the General Plan in 2005 and the present—is
highlighted by landmark cases supporting the public trust doctrine. The Hawai`i
constitutional public trust doctrine underscores the obligation of both State and County
governments to protect our natural resources from overuse and abuse, for the benefit of both
the current and future generations. Hawai`i County took a step further by amending its
"Constitution", the County Charter, by imposing on the County government a public trust
obligation for both natural and cultural resources.
It is also during the period since the 2005 edition of the General Plan, that Hawai`i County
was faced with a wave of natural disasters—hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes,
tsunamis, and a volcanic eruption that has held a significant region of the County hostage.
These acute disasters have provided the island community with a kind of reality check.
Individually and collectively, residents cannot take wellbeing for granted. Disaster planning
and resiliency planning are critical starting with the need for redundancy and back-up
systems. Redundancy in networking and connectivity is critical for all essential services
from road connectivity to media network connectivity (internet radio/tv/newspaper). And
rather than becoming territorial about responsibilities, overlap and sharing of resources shall
be the norm.
Principal 3: Prioritization of Organizational Health
Improved organizational structure and connectivity between all branches and units within
the County government shall be a high priority. A new emphasis will be placed on
strengthening the networking and communication between the Mayor, the Council
Members, the County Departments and Agencies, County Commissions and Boards, and the
Community Development Plan Action Committees. All units within the County government
must routinely engage in self-monitoring and performance evaluation. Increased
collaboration and partnership with the state and federal governments is also essential.
Principal 4: Prioritization of Fiscal Health
The County shall pursue a level of fiscal health such that government services can function
efficiently in all Districts for all basic services. As part of the General Plan the County shall
pursue strategies to fund its goals and objectives. Prioritization of increasing revenue
streams without simply raising property taxes will be made an agenda item in all budget
discussions. As part of achieving fiscal health, the County shall seek more taxing authority
July 17, 2015
Page 4 of 13
from the state, such as through increased allocation of TAT revenues, as well as increased
funding from fees and penalties, and shall rally against unfunded mandates. Likewise the
County must act proactively to ensure that the neighboring Islands receive their fair share of
state infrastructure funding. A greater emphasis shall also be placed on grant writing for all
departments.
III. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GENERAL PLAN AND THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PLANS: The 2005 General Plan set forth specific data, goals, strategies, and
action items for each region of the County. However between the years 2005 and the present,
regional Community Development Plans have been adopted and approved by the County Council.
The revised General Plan therefore addresses only island-wide goals and policies rather
corresponding regional or community goals and policies that would more appropriately be included
in the single regional or community development plans.
IV. NEW ITEMS IN THE GENERAL PLAN: The County must accept its kuleana with respect
to areas in which the county's jurisdiction overlaps with state and/or federal jurisdiction. Areas of
overlapping jurisdiction include health, energy, agriculture, corrections, coastal waters, surface
water quality and quantity, transportation, tourism, arid recreation. These areas were not addressed
with any particularity in the previous General Plan. The revised General Plan will now address
these and other areas of overlapping jurisdiction.
V. CLARIFICATION OF THE HIERARCHY OF COUNTY LAWS: Other than the County
Charter, the General Plan trumps all Community Development Plans, all Area Improvement Plans
such as the Hilo Development Plan, all County Ordinances and Rules, as well as the County's
Operating and Capital Budgets. The Community Development Plans however are to be read as
incorporated by reference in the General Plan and in the absence of language in the General Plan
that is expressly and specifically inconsistent therewith, take precedence over any less specific
provision of the General Plan. The current Community Development Plan regions are Puna, Kona,
North Kohala, and South Kohala. The Hamakua, and Kai' Community Development Plans are
expected to be completed prior to passage of the Revised General Plan.
Likewise, to the extent that a Community Development Plan contains both district level directives
as well as community level directives, the district or regional level directives take precedence.
VI. SUBJECT AREA POLICIES AND GOALS:
A. Education:
1. Prioritize increased educational opportunities for all age groups, and promote
increased community involvement in county-wide education.
2. Prioritize educational opportunities that support a range of desirable on-island
employment opportunities, including supporting a regional magnet high school that
would offer certification in various trades.
3. Establish Hawaiian language training in all schools.
4. Make mentoring program a basic component in all schools.
5. Integrate school gardens into all school curriculums.
B. Economic Development
July 17, 2015
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General
1. Prioritize economic development that is compatible with preserving the environment,
supporting good paying jobs, and promoting a sense of place.
2. Prioritize special identity development in each community by way of design review
advisory committees that promote unique architectural, landscape, and signage
themes.
3. The procurement process shall be implemented to incentivize those who propose
quality work and have a track record of quality work and accountability, rather than
be a process simply to arrive at the lowest bid.
4. Prioritize the availability of high-speed broadband accessibility and create high tech
industrial parks, with the objective of providing community based broadband of 1
gigabits per second fiber optic lines or wireless broadband, and with no region of the
Island served with less than 25 megabits per second.
5. Provide sufficient mass transit so to the extent possible workers can travel at low cost
by bus and connect to smaller intra-community bus and voucher taxi and "uber"
services.
6. Maximize permitting by way of the internet to avoid traveling and standing in lines.
7. Maximize "one-stop" permitting.
8. Provide adequate due process procedures in the event a permit is denied.
9. Prioritize the island's floral industry.
Zoning Related:
9. Increase availability of commercially and industrially zoned lands with substantial
buffers to residential and agricultural lands. Require documentation of how proposed
developments support cultural and environmental wellbeing.
10.Maximize incorporation of`ohana dwellings subject to the availability of adequate
sewerage disposal fields.
11.Provide the expanded use of agricultural land for commercial composting and
mulching.
12.Allow wellness retreats and health centers including fitness centers in agriculturally
zoned land.
13.Provide expanded industrial parks in appropriate locations.
Development and Land Use Related:
14.Minimize strip development including by requiring wide (12 feet plus) vegetative
strips along the roadway and to the extent possible, require parking in the rear of
buildings.
15.Require documentation of how proposed development supports safe pedestrian access
through the development and through any proposed parking areas.
16.Require documentation of how proposed development support mass transit
connectivity, for example include pull out areas for bus stops and prioritization of
parking adjacent to mass transit stops.
17.Require documentation how proposed development support a sense of place, provide
sidewalks and walking trails.
18.Require documentation how proposed development supports the long-term
conservation of natural resources, taking into account on-site and off-site mitigation
measures.
July 17, 2015
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19.Require that all proposed developments have an emergency preparedness plan", a
zero waste plan, "safe pedestrian/bike trail and access plan", a"cultural sites"plan,
where appropriate, a"community gathering space" plan (which may be anything from
park benches to a community building depending on the type of development).
20.Require that all proposed development applications be submitted in pdf format (not
just in hard copies) and make those applications available on line at the County's
website.
21. Prioritize that required infrastructure be in place prior to occupancy of commercial
and residential occupancy.
22. Allow developers the option of funding mass-transit as alternative to providing
"affordable" housing In the event that private land is needed to pursue a public
purpose, compensate the landowner for the reasonable value of the real property loss.
23. Periodically review developments for compliance and where there are
deficiencies in compliance, establish written timelines for compliance with fines
for non-compliance.
24. Organize special assessment districts where necessary to fund essential public
services for single community benefits.
25. In areas of limited rainfall, require the use of reclaimed water for all golf courses.
26. Promote aquaponics.
C. Tourism:
1. Prioritize the goal of direct access by air to Hawai`i Island from international airports.
2. Develop a clear and distinguishable identity separate from the other Hawaiian Islands
and destinations in Hawai`i.
3. Build closer partnership with the airlines in term of acquainting visitors with what is
unique and special about Hawai`i Island.
4. Prioritize tourism that enhances Hawai`i Island's wellness/fitness/community health
models and, as well preservation of Hawaii s cultural and environmental identity and
heritage.
5. Create inventories of available venues for each visitor interest group, including one
for each sport, maximize website information for each interest group, such as for
cultural and historic site tourism, ag-tourism, health and fitness tourism, biking,
hiking, and historic site, fire "lava" tourism; water tourism inclusive of fishing and
coastal water activities such as snorkeling and other water sports, sky (astronomy)
tourism, Paniolo adventures tourism, and special event tourism.
6. Promote ag-tourism and food tourism for each region of the county.
7. Promote aloha with all visitors and generally encourage their appreciation of
Hawai`i's multicultural history, versus approaching tourism as an exercise in how to
make more money from the tourist trade.
8. Provide more visitor friendly signage.
9. Collaborate with State and other Counties to advance Hawai`i Island tourism.
10.Make Wi-Fi generally available in all community centers, and immediately at airports
and major bus stations.
11.Increase communication between commerce and local government regarding span of
issues from capacity, transportation options, promoting Hawaii island's special
identity.
July 17, 2015
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D. Agriculture:
1. Prioritize removal of most harmful invasive species, including the little red fire ant
and the coffee borer: identify locations and areas where harmful invasive species are
found.
2. Prioritize assisting farmers combating invasive species that are harmful to local crops.
3. Prioritize restoration of fish ponds
4. Ensure availability of agricultural water to area farms.
5. Prioritize appropriate management of ditches to maximize availability of ditch water
to farms and ranches and promote public access to the ditches.
6. Prioritize the long-term health of the soil and surrounding ecosystems, including by
promoting on-island compost operations.
7. Prioritize locally owned small to medium sized farms with a diversity of crops versus
industrial agriculture.
8. Prioritize protection of non-GMO farms from being contaminated by drift from GMO
operations, including by designating non-GMO crop zones.
9. Prioritize value added agricultural enterprises including mobile slaughterhouses,
vacuum cooling plants, and community based certified kitchens.
10.Prioritize adequate health benefits and safety protection for farmworkers.
11.Prioritize programs that make locally grown food readily accessible—including the
Food Basket programs and farmers markets.
12.Prioritize farm to school and school garden programs.
13.Prioritize access to at least one certified kitchen in each community.
14.Promote efforts to better identify Hawai`i grown food in restaurants.
15.Prioritize the accurate brand identification of crops and food products that are unique
and special to Hawaii Island.
16.Prioritize proper identification of locally grown products.
17.Promote right to know efforts that enable consumer to identify food ingredients that
consumers want or want to avoid, including by establishing a program to certify
Hawai`i Island grown crops and foods.
18.Prioritize accuracy in marketing, including supporting federal efforts to prohibit the
use of the word "natural" for any food containing GMO organisms.
19.Address wide spread employment issues, including by working with State legislature:
a. The worker status issue, that is: employers paying agricultural workers as if a
contractor and worker then do not receive benefits,public ends up subsidizing.
b. The under the table payment issue, that is: workers paid cash and no benefits
and public ends up subsidizing.
c. The part-time employee issue, and how to enable employers to provide some
benefits to part-time without excessive costs and excessive paperwork.
20. Collaborate with the State to address agricultural issues, including with respect to
issues related to worker status as an employee versus as a contractor.
21. Place all agricultural zoned land with soil classifications as "Important Ag land."
22. Maintain up to date educational materials to prevent and minimize harm from
invasive species.
23. Work with state legislators to disallow the use of the label "Hawaiian", unless 100%
made in Hawai`i.
24. Prioritize supplying all large institutions— schools, military, and hotels, with food
grown on this island.
July 17, 2015
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F. Energy:
1. Prioritize transition from imported oil to clean energy and energy self-sufficiency, with
the priority of solar, wind, and pumped hydro.
2. Prioritize the use of low energy need facilities and services.
3. Require the use of low energy solutions in all new developments.
4. Support efforts to reduce electric rates on Hawai`i Island in very near future.
5. Support educational programs to reduce demand for electrical power.
6. Require underground installation where there are significant scenic view planes that
would be affected by above ground installations.
7. Require that gas storage facilities are located in a manner to minimize danger to
commercial and residential facilities and to prevent leakage.
8. Collaborate with the State to address energy issues.
G. Housing and Shelter:
1. Prioritize the availability of transitional housing and shelters for those without homes.
2. Link public housing with social services and education and job opportunity programs,
as well as with community service programs.
3. Address affordable housing needs in combination with reliable mass transit planning
so that proximity to employment is not critical.
4. Prioritize special needs housing, and the construction of specially designed housing
projects including for the elderly and the disabled.
5. Ensure safe/healthy environment at projects subsidized with government funds,
including the assurance of lease renewal absent significant breaches of the law or of
the lease agreements.
H. Transportation and Traffic Circulation: (including pedestrian and bike
traffic).
1. Prioritize Mass transit as the routine mode of transportation shall be foremost in all
build out planning.
2. Expedite island-wide mass transit plan that incorporates regional transit hubs that
provide indoor seating and bathroom facilities and community hublets that at
minimum provide safe seating in roofed shelters.
3. Parking policies shall encourage use of mass transit and walking/biking options. All
parking lots shall include canopy trees and delineated pedestrian pathways. Parking at
mass transit hubs and local hublets shall be maximized and there shall be no fees for
parking at these locations.
4. Require that all proposed development include a pedestrian access plan and provide
for safe pedestrian access throughout the development.
5. Require that all traffic circulation plans be pedestrian friendly and pedestrian safe,
even if less convenient for automobile traffic.
6. Require that all roads be complete streets, or alternatively separate provision shall be
made for safe pedestrian and bike access.
7. Require that all roads be adequately maintained to ensure public safety.
8. Require that all emergency access roads be adequately maintained.
9. Require that all commercial and community centers provide safe pedestrian and bike
access.
July 17, 2015
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10. A minimum of two ingress/egress ways shall be required in all residential
developments that exceed 50 homes; residential communities that have 50 or less
homes but more than 12, shall at minimum create a second emergency access.
11. Require separation of auto traffic and parking from pedestrian ways.
12. Remove Albizia trees that create a danger to public roadways.
I. Environment:
1. Maximize protection of watersheds and watershed buffer areas, including by
reforestation of watershed areas and of watershed buffer areas.
2. Prioritize reforestation and other policies to minimize erosion, including re-
forestation and re-vegetation in areas vulnerable to erosion.
3. Prioritize soil health educational programs, strict enforcement of measures to prevent
erosion during grading and grubbing.
4. Identify locations where there is extensive storm runoff, and identify ways to prevent
—including use of compost. promotion of cover crops, and minimizing use of
pesticides that degrade the soil.
5. After a transition period of up to a year, prohibit the use of glyphosate and by the
County in public parks, along public highways, and within the shoreline management
area.
6. Require detention ponds rather than drywells in all developments, however where
the use of detention ponds is not possible, additional means be required to enhance
the surrounding eco-systems to compensate for the adverse impact of drywells.
7. Prioritize maintenance of undisturbed vegetation along the shoreline, over
development along edge of shoreline.
8. Establish policies and strategies to anticipated changes due to climate change and
rising sea levels— such as ensuring adequate setbacks from coastal shorelines and
prohibitions against removal of undisturbed vegetation along the shoreline.
9. Prioritize policies to curb global warming, including by 1) minimizing hardscape and
dark roofs, and 2) require canopy trees and greenscape corridors (with pedestrian
pathways where possible) in residential and commercial developments.
10. Ensure forestry operations are carried out in a manner that minimizes
erosion.
11. Ensure that pedestrian trail are designed and located to avoid erosion and
subsidence especially on slopes and along waterways and the coastline
12. Adopt Hawai`i's Implementation Plan for Polluted Runoff Control and/or
13. Hawai`i's Coastal Non-pollution Control Program Management Plan.
14. Promote the use of native plants however do not allow unregulated
removal of non-native fauna and flora unless halniful to the ecosystem in
that location.
15. Cooperate with state programs to address issues of fish depletion in coastal waters.
16. Prioritize efforts to reestablish stream flow wherever possible.
J. Community Health and Recreation:
1. Prioritize community programs that promote community health including the Blue
Zone initiatives.
2. Prioritize opportunities for community health in the built environment such as
pedestrian ways and parklets with adult fitness equipment.
July 17, 2015
Page 10 of 13
3. Require all developments provide for community health opportunities, including
sidewalks or trails, and incorporate outdoor fitness equipment.
4. Identify the community health assets in each District including identifying all trails
and walkways and bikeways. Gaps in community health opportunities shall also be
identified and addressed to the extent possible.
5. Include intergenerational gathering locations and dog play areas at all new parks.
6. Partner with the business community to prioritize fitness opportunities at all work
places, including for agricultural workers.
K. Sense of Place/Natural Beauty/Culture:
1. Prioritize County policies and programs that protect and preserve what makes Hawai`i
Island and its Districts special and unique including multicultural assets and historic
traditions.
2. Require that all developments preserve sacred sites and special places, scenic view
planes and historic trails: however, provide County funding for preservation efforts
for sites that will be accessible to the public.
3. Identify locations of scenic beauty and obtain easements for the property owner to
preserve the vistas, in particular where the views are of the Island's mountains and of
the ocean.
4. Provide reasonable public access to the shoreline and the public forest reserve and to
historic and special places and scenic views.
5. Identify and design walking/hiking and bike paths in each community with parklets as
resting spots with have benches and canopy trees.
6. Provide signage that promotes walking and hiking and information about historic sites
and special places as well as developing new fitness and hiking trails around the
Island.
7. Prohibit further development of the tops and upper slopes of the Island's major
mountains—Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, and Kohala.
8. Promote community events that recognize historic and special events.
9. Promote programs that enhance a sense of community for all age groups.
10. Provide one or more cultural event for each cultural group in appropriate locations
around the Island.
11. Consider changing the name of the County from Hawai`i County to Moku '0 Keawe
L. Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services:
Emergency Preparedness:
1. Maintain an updated island wide disaster preparedness plan.
2. Require that all developments and revised developments design and provide an
adequate emergency preparedness plan.
3. Require that all developments provide for adequate access, and for commercial and
residential developments in excess of 20 homes, a minimum of two exits.
4. Dedicate an interactive county internet website for issues relating to emergency
preparedness and during disasters.
July 17, 2015
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M. County Protective Services:
Civil Defense:
1. Create disaster preparedness plans for all districts.
2. Coordinate with Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and organizations
such as the Red Cross.
3. Promote membership in the Red Cross and in CERT.
4. Provide ham radios to those in CERT with radio certification.
Fire and Police Services:
1. Maintain adequate community based police force and fire stations.
2. Promote volunteer fire departments in all Districts.
3. Promote neighborhood watch groups and establish police liaisons to coordinate with
neighborhood watch groups.
4. Focus on eradicating the use of methamphetamine and other hard drugs, including
excessive use of prescription drugs.
5. Eliminate, or at minimum minimize, arrests solely involving the use or growing of
marijuana.
Water Safety:
1. Provide sufficient lifeguards and lifesaving equipment at public pools/beaches.
2. In partnership with appropriate non-profits create water safety programs at all public
beaches, including educational materials for visitors.
3. Collaborate with state to make water safety a high priority.
Corrections:
1. Maximize locating correctional facilities on island for island residents.
2. Maximize rehabilitation programs to decrease recidivism.
3. Maximize services for special needs and mental illness inmates.
4. Promote community programs that assist former inmates to reestablish themselves in
their local communities, including locating employment.
5. Promote self-reliance and sustainability though farm gardens and marketing programs.
Prosecution and Crime Preventive Services:
1. Expand services for victims, especially in the more rural areas of the County.
2. Increase community programs aimed to prevent criminal and abusive behavior.
3. Expand the use of community service as part of plea agreements.
4. Curtail prosecution for the sole use of marijuana. On the other hand, aggressively
penalize the use and sale of"hard" drugs such as meth-amphetamine, heroin, and
cocaine. At the same time maximize social services for those dependent upon these
substances, so as to overcome the dependency and find viable employment.
N. Public Utilities:
1. Prioritize adequate access to public utilities at a reasonable price: water, sewerage,
electricity, gas, and telecommunications.
2. Prioritize solar, wind, and pumped hydro, as well geothermal to extent that can be
carried out without significant negative effects on surrounding residential
neighborhoods.
July 17, 2015
Page 12 of 13
3. Partner with state and private efforts to lower the cost of electricity and reduce
reliance on imported oil.
Water:
1. Potable water shall be made available in all communities, provided that sufficient
provision is made to not deplete the long-term availability of the water resources.
2. Encourage the safe use of catchment water. Allow catchment water to be used on
residences on ag zoned land provided there is sufficient rainfall.
3. Ensure the adequate access to water resources shall include access to agricultural ditch
water in appropriate areas.
4. Require the design and location of water storage units in a manner so as not to
interfere with view planes.
5. Promote an expanded role for the County with regard to management of all water
quality and quantity matters, including with regard to "ditch water" and other
agricultural waterways, as well as aquifer waters in partnership with the state only
when the County does not have the ability to carry out the required mandates.
Sewerage:
1. Ensure adequate management of sewage be maintained in a manner that prevents
contamination of the ground water supply and the coastal waters.
2. Require that all new or remodeled development be connected to a municipal waste
water system or individual sewage disposal systems (rather than rely on cesspools).
0. Public Facilities:
Solid waste Management:
1. Maximize a resource management approach based on Zero Waste policies of
"Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle".
2. Maximize recycling options for recyclables and compostables at all transfer and
landfill facilities.
3. Incorporate a partial "pay as you throw" program in which there would be no fees for
those who limit the amount of landfill trash and maximize zero waste policies.
4. Promote the expansion of recycle businesses and make available space for cottage
operations in locations proximate to the county's landfills.
5. Promote "take back" programs for appliances and other difficult to dispose of refuse.
Education and libraries
1. Insist that kindergarten through high school facilities be located in all Districts.
2. Coordinate with the State to provide educational programs that will afford high
quality employment opportunities as well as provide programs that provide life
learning, cultural awareness and connection to nature, including school garden
programs.
3. Establish bilingual learning in all schools of Hawaiian.
4. Advance knowledge of principles of Hawaiian cultural including of personal kuleana,
pono, lokahi, kakou, and ho'ohanohano.
5. Develop quality regional libraries with at least one conference room in all Districts.
6. In South Kohala establish a dual location system for a regional technical high school.
(Locate the main facility on Waikoloa Village land between Kawaihae Road and
July 17, 2015
Page 13 of 13
Waikoloa Village, and with a second location in Waimea in the area of the Ala
Ohia/Connector Road.
7. Collaborate with State to address educational issues.
Medical Facilities
1. Maximize on-island medical facilities to provide high quality medical services_
2. Maximize on-island medical and pharmacology educational and training.
3. Promote urgent care and wellness centers to facilitate the availability of medical
services.
4. And support state efforts to improve health care.
Cemeteries:
Provide adequate number of cemeteries throughout the County.
P. County Governance and Ethics
1. Maximize public participation and transparency, including by posting on the County's
internet site all proposed subdivisions, planned unit developments, and rezonings.
2. Create joint county and state planning commissions including for Agriculture, marine
ecosystems and coastal waters, health, energy, and transportation.
3. Add code enforcement positions in the planning department, rather than being solely a
complaint driven system; include review of grading and grubbing permits.
4. Identity all multi-use arrangements and seek additional joint use partnerships in gap
areas.
5. Maximize support for the Community Development Plan Action Committees,
including requiring approval of all District level Community Improvement projects
and funding for specified projects.
6. Raise ethical standards, including by making elected officials spending readily
available on the internet.
7. Provide a government to government forums with representatives of the Kingdom of
Hawai`i.
8. Engage consultants who are experts in improving organizational organizations.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Wille
•
GREGGOR ILAGAN o` K� AARON S.Y. CHUNG
Chairperson �' \,li;. KAREN EOFF
. .; `.",•;,�/, ;. DRU MAMO KANUHA
MAILE"MEDEIROS" DAVID DENNIS"FRESH"ONISHI
Vice Chair144:. ��••'��`'• DANNY PALEKA
". • VALERIE T.POINDEXTER
MARGARET WILLE
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai`i
Hawai`i County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
July 17, 2015
Dru Mamo Kanuha, Chairperson
Hawai`i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
RE: Communication No. 396 : Draft General Plan: Section on Policies and Goals
Discussion.
Pursuant to Section 2(g) of Rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the County of
Hawai`i, this written request is submitted with my approval that the above-referenced matter be
waived from the Committee on Planning to the full Council for immediate action. In reviewing
this matter, timely approval is crucial. It is therefore advantageous that approval is granted and
the matter be placed onto the next Council agenda for review. However, in the event this request
is denied, for whatever reason, I understand the matter shall be referred to the Committee on
Planning for placement on its future agenda.
Sincerely,
G -ggor Balm, Chairperson
Committee on Planning •
Approved/Date/Waive to Council: Disap•r• - II ate/Refer to PC: •
7 zvl/s
Dru Mamo Kanuha, Chairperson Dru Mamo Kanuha, Chairperson
Hawai`i County Council Hawai`i County Council
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