HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-17 HCDP Meeting Packet FinalMitchell D. Roth Mayor
Lee E. Lord
Managing Director
Zendo Kern Director
Jeffrey W. Darrow
Deputy Director
County of Hawai‘i
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Page 1
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 1
DRAFT Meeting Minutes 2
CALL TO ORDER 3
Chair Brad Kurokawa called the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action 4
Committee (AC) to order at 5:01 P.M. Due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this 5
meeting was held via the Zoom interactive video platform. 6
ROLL CALL 7
AC Members Present: Brad Kurokawa (Chair), Nicole Hubbard, Tawn Keeney, Jeff McKnight, 8
Robert Nishimoto, Rhonda Pollard, Crystal Kua [arrived at 5:13 pm] 9
AC Members Absent-Excused: Carol Ignacio, Desiree Cruz 10
County Staff: Planners – Heather Bartlett, Keiko Mercado, Jaslyn Nathaniel 11
County Officials: Director of Parks & Recreation Maurice Messina; Council Member Heather 12
Kimball 13
One (1) member of the public attended the meeting via Zoom. The meeting was also available 14
for synchronous viewing via the COH Planning Department YouTube Livestream. The Livestream 15
is available at Hāmākua CDP Action Committee Meeting - March 15, 2022. 16
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None 17
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 18
Vice-Chair McKnight made a motion to approve the minutes for the November 16, 2021 meeting. 19
Second by Committee Member Tawn Keeney. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 20
[Committee Member Kua was not present for the vote] 21
Vice-Chair McKnight made a motion to approve the minutes for the January 19, 2022 meeting. 22
Second by Committee Member Rhonda Pollard. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 23
[Committee Member Kua was not present for the vote] 24
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: One (1) member of the public provided oral testimony. 25
At the Chair’s discretion, the testifier chose to provide their comment when business item 2 was 26
up for discussion. 27
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2
Community Member Romel Dela Cruz, representing himself, testified on agenda item 2, Message 28
from Parks & Recreation (P&R) Director Maurice Messina. Mr. Dela Cruz stated he was born and 29
raised on the Hāmākua coast and shared some of his lived experiences in the area. Mr. Dela Cruz 30
spoke fondly about different past activities and sporting events that took place in various gyms 31
and on fields in the area. Mr. Dela Cruz expressed that the coastal parks such as Pāpaʻaloa, 32
‘Ōʻokala, Laupahoehoe, and Paʻauilo are very special to the community, that they hold 33
irreplaceable sentimental value, and should be preserved. 34
BUSINESS: 35
1. Information Sharing: Sharon Hirota, from the County Office of Housing and Community 36
Development, presented an overview of several programs and centers that were launched in 37
partnership with community-based organizations. She encouraged AC members to share 38
these programs with their networks: 39
• Emergency Rent Assistance – Provides financial assistance to help residents ensure 40
housing stability by helping them to get caught up on rent and utility payments. 41
• Landlord/Tenant Mediation Center – Provides landlord/tenant mediation services. After 42
the lifting of the moratorium, there was a temporary modification to the landlord-tenant 43
code that requires landlords and tenants to go through a mediation process before 44
entering into the court system. 45
• Coordination Center – Provides a free centralized service that helps residents navigate 46
critical financial, housing, and health-related issues. The Center’s objective is to ensure 47
that lack of knowledge about available resources does not stand between residents and 48
the help they need and is designed to help residents with one-on-one coaching and 49
connectivity to community-based and government-supported services. 50
• Homeowner Assistance – Provides Hawaiʻi homeowners who are experiencing financial 51
hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and have incomes at or below 150% of 52
the area median income with the assistance that will lead to long-term mortgage 53
resolution. The program grants up to $30,000 to assist homeowners with paying past-due 54
mortgages or reducing monthly payments. 55
• Financial Empowerment Centers – Provides free, one-on-one financial counseling as a 56
public service to all residents. Centers are staffed with trained counselors to help 57
residents manage money, decrease debt, improve credit, and access all other services 58
offered by the centers to find financial stability. 59
Presentation slides available here: 60
https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/edoc/115422/Communication%20No.%202022-61
07%20OHCD%20Financial%20Empowerment%20Presentation%20by%20Sharon%20Hirota.pdf 62
Additional information available here: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/office-of-housing 63
2. Message from Parks & Recreation (P&R) Director Maurice Messina: 64
Director Maurice Messina provided updates on upcoming maintenance projects for 65
recreational facilities in Hāmākua. These projects will be ongoing for ADA compliance, safety, 66
and overall improvements. Director Messina provided approximate timelines for each 67
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3
project, identified barriers related to deferred maintenance, and outlined different 68
approaches that could be utilized to properly address said issues. 69
Committee Member Nishimoto asked about possibilities for community emergency centers. 70
He shared his affiliation with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and 71
recommended collaboration with Civil Defense to establish radio towers, emphasizing that 72
coastal communication is fundamental during emergencies. 73
Committee Member Keeney shared concerns he had heard from vendors within Honokaʻa 74
and near the Waipi‘o area about a significant decline of visitor activity and asked if the 75
“lookout authority” had been experiencing something similar. He suggested that information 76
be shared on the availability of the lookout area, despite the Waipiʻo road closure. Director 77
Messina shared that there has been an increased need to replenish supplies at the lookout 78
due to an increase in visitor numbers. 79
Chair Kurokawa shared his hope about the possibility of a Visitor Center type facility and 80
asked about the PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation 81
Commission) restrictions. 82
Vice-Chair McKnight shared his concern about emergency shelter capacity being able to 83
withstand contemporary disasters. He questioned the probability of more facilities 84
becoming available to accommodate the public and offered to donate a radio repeater to 85
support safety. Director Messina assured him the concern is mutual and that Civil Defense, 86
along with the State HIEMA (Hawaii Emergency Management Agency), is working specifically 87
to address these types of issues. Director Messina will relay Vice-Chair McKnight’s generous 88
offer to Civil Defense. 89
Chair Kurowawa inquired on the whereabouts of existing programs that were previously 90
being held in the Pāpaʻaloa gym. Director Messina explained that although there is currently 91
no facility in Pāpaʻaloa, there has been an intense effort to continue offering recreational 92
activities by collaborating with the Laupāhoehoe facilities. He shared that he remains open 93
to creative solutions for bring the park up to adequate standards. 94
Committee Member Hubbard mentioned her affiliation to the steering committee for 95
Pāpaʻaloa Park. She requested support for Bill 2477, an ongoing petition to raise ten (10) 96
million dollars for match funding, and the need to raise additional financial support for the 97
overall planning process. More information on the Friends of Pāpaʻaloa Park can be found 98
here: 99
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/612044369939864 100
• Email: friendsofpapaaloapark@gmail.com 101
Committee Member Keeney inquired about the possibility of a Visitor Center being 102
established on the PONC property (near Waipiʻo lookout). Council Member Kimball recalled 103
previous considerations for a visitor center, managed access, and tourist education.She 104
described the unlikelihood of a visitor center due to PONC limitations and suggested 105
exploring nearby parcels that might be amenable to the use. Council Member Kimball 106
indicated that although the road closure was unexpected, it allows time to identify other 107
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 4
needs associated with access to the valley. Council Member Kimball also expressed 108
appreciation for the community driven work being done regarding Pāpaʻaloa Gym. 109
Committee Member Kua asked whether Action Committee Members were able to use their 110
AC titles when advocating for Pāpaʻaloa Gym. Ms. Mercado explained that; unless voted 111
upon by the Board, each AC member would be representing themself. 112
Vice-Chair McKnight brought up some complaints he had heard from the Waipi‘o rim 113
community regarding trespassing. Council Member Kimball agreed to make it a priority to 114
seek mitigative methods from the Senate to address illegal parking with ongoing House Bill 115
1448. 116
House Bill 1448 available here: 117
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1448&year=2022 118
3. Action Committee Support of Hawaiʻi Ports-of Entry Biosecurity Program (Communication 119
No. 2022-06) 120
Committee Member Hubbard made a motion for Communication No. 2022-06 to be approved 121
and sent to the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. Second by Vice-Chair McKnight. 122
Chair Kurokawa opened the floor for discussion and requested minor adjustments to the 123
letter. He requested to replace “addition” with “introduction” in the second paragraph, 124
delete “worst of the worst” at the end of the second paragraph, replace “strains” with 125
“burdens” in the last sentence of the letter, and insert “negatively” further in the same 126
sentence. 127
Committee Member Hubbard made a motion to accept Chair Kurokawa’s amendments to 128
Communication No. 2022-06. Second by Vice-Chair McKnight. Motion to amend the letter 129
passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 130
Motion to approve and send the letter as amended passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 131
Final letter available here: 132
https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?dbid=1&id=115459&page=1&cr=1 133
4. Action Committee Priority Setting Exercise 134
Chair Kurokawa introduced the objective of the AC Priority Exercise as a way to identify 135
potential interests and create investigatory subcommittees and community liaison groups as 136
needed that encourage the advancement of the Hāmākua Community Development Plan. 137
Ms. Bartlett suggested using the Community Action guide as reference and helped to 138
facilitate the discussion through which the AC recognized the following: 139
• Given limited recreational resources, Shoreline/ Public Access should include open space 140
and bike paths. 141
• Hāmākua recreational Facilities (top of mind is Pāpāʻaloa Gym) are a priority 142
• Shoreline, Public Access, Open Space, and Bike Paths. 143
• Waipiʻo wahi pana 144
• Community outreach and engagement 145
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 5
• Education around critical cultural significance of streams including indigenous terrestrial 146
and aquatic fauna 147
Committee Member Keeney inquired about the labeling of the groups and questions arose 148
around Sunshine Law requirements. Clarification was provided by Ms. Bartlett that with a 149
majority vote by the Action Committee, smaller investigatory groups could be allowed up to 150
a maximum of four (4) members per subcommittee to explore thesubject item, then report 151
back to the Action Committee with their findings. 152
Council Member Kimball offered to keep the AC informed on any opportunities for discussion 153
in community meetings regarding Waipiʻo. 154
Vice-Chair McKnight inquired if attendance at the Waipiʻo meetings is limited to two 155
members. Council Member Kimball confirmed that all members may attend informational 156
meetings. Committee Member Kua inquired about requirements on Sunshine Law regarding 157
participation. Council Member Kimball explained the differences between participation as a 158
Board, as opposed to participation as an individual, and the likelihood that a subject matter 159
could become a future agenda item. Council Member Kimball brought up recent legislation 160
related to board leniencies while still ensuring transparency. 161
Additional information on HB 2026 available here: 162
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2026&year=2022 163
5. Framework for Action Committee Run Meetings 164
Ms. Mercado informed that some Action Committees have expressed interest in hosting 165
their own official meetings. She explained the possibility of the ACs having the option to 166
convene between the already scheduled quarterly meetings and provided high-level 167
framework for running these meetings. Sunshine Law would need to be adhered to and 168
Robert’s Rules followed. Ms. Mercado assured that Planning staff would provide templates 169
and resource packets and would continue to make connections as the AC needed. Staff 170
would also continue to post the agenda and minutes to ensure compliance with the Sunshine 171
Law. 172
Committee Member Keeney appreciated the support for AC hosted meetings. Committee 173
Member Kua was interested in continuing the conversation. Vice-Chair McKnight said it 174
provided more options for the AC especially when the AC was considering time-sensitive 175
matters. Chair Kurokawa added that more frequent meetings would help keep community 176
engaged. 177
Presentation slides are available here: 178
https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/edoc/115460/Communication%20No.%202022-179
09%20AC%20Meeting%20Framework.pdf 180
6. Election of Action Committee Officers 181
Committee Member Keeney made a motion to nominate Jeff McKnight as Chair of the 182
Hāmākua CDP AC. Second by Chair Kurokawa. Motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 183
Committee Member Kua made a motion to nominate Nicole Hubbard as Vice-Chair of the 184
Hāmākua CDP AC. Second by Vice-Chair Jeff Mcknight. Motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 185
votes nay. 186
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 6
PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: 187
1. Update on Shoreline Setback Project 188
ADJOURNMENT: Vice-Chair McKnight made a motion to adjourn. Second by Committee Member 189
Hubbard. Motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 190
The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 pm. 191
These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 192
Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 193
Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 194
by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 195
Communication No. 2022-09
County
Department PROJECT Project Description Location/Benefit
(Council District)2022-23 Total estimate
project cost
DEM Kulaimano & Papaikou Dewatering and Barminuter
Replacement (reappr.)
Replace Sludge Dewatering Units and barminuters (shreds materials found in incoming
wastewater) and other various needed repairs at Papaikou WWTP and Kulaimano WWTP 1 (1)4,000 4,300
DPR Papaaloa Park New Covered Playcourt & Improvements
The repair, renovation, upgrade, addition, modification, alteration, improvement, demolition,
landscaping, development, etc. of park sites, facilities, amenities, infrastructure, utilities,
components, etc. necessary to facilitate and support safe use thereof and to address the
needs of department staff, programs, activities, communities, recreational groups, etc. to fully
or best utilize the department's inventory of land and recreational developments to support
the needs of the public.
1 (1)1,000 9,000
DPW DPW - Waipi'o Valley Access Road Safety Improvements
This project will remove soil overburden and boulders at several locations and widen the
existing Waipi'o access roadway at various locations to provide improved sight distance and
larger pull-out areas for vehicles and pedestrians.
1 (1)5,600 5,600
DPW Waima'au'au Stream Bridge Repairs This project will reconstruct the existing concrete bridge (near Pepe'ekeo Street) while
implementing necessary structural and safety improvements. 1 (1)3,700 5,000
FIRE HONOKAA FIRE STATION (REPLACEMENT)
(Reappropriation)
Construction of a new fire station to replace the Honokaa fire station. The Honokaa Fire Fire
Station has not grown with the community. The facility was built to house two personnel and
is manned by six. A new facility that can accomodate additional personnel and apparatus is
desperately needed. The fire apparatus is not stored in a covered structure and is out in the
elements. Property to be built "green" and include PV. Project could be combined with a
project with Police so that Fire and Police may be located close by to each other.
1 (1, 9)1,000 15,200
OHCD Kulaimano Renovations & Repair
OHCD previously conducted a physical needs assessment of its Kulaimano Elderly Housing
project in Pepeekeo consisting of 50 units that identified needed repairs, renovations and
ground contamination problems. With CDBG funding the community center was recently
renovated but all units need significant interior renovations. OHCD is currently conducting a
feasibility study to add buildings to the existing site and avoid any tenant displacement in the
process of a completing all other recommended repairs and renovations. This includes any
and all related costs to complete the project.
1 (1)6,500 6,500
DEM Hilo WWTP Upgrades
Upgrades on the Hilo WWTP will include headworks improvements (including Screens, grit
removal, odor control), septage receiving station, renovation of primary clarifiers,
upgrades/replacement of secondary process, and sludge (Biosolids) thickening, building a new
solids treatment process, and a new sludge dewatering (may include sludge drying) facility.
Ancillary work will include electrical and instrumentation/control upgrades on these
renovated or new structures and in-plant piping upgrades. Upgrades are needed due to
corrosion damage/length of life of the current structures and equipments. HWWTP was built
in 1990 and after 30 years of operation facility is nearing the end of it's useful life. Upgrades
will restore HWWTP's 5.0 mgd capacity.
3 (1-3)90,000 175,000
Communication No. 2022-09
County
Department PROJECT Project Description Location/Benefit
(Council District)2022-23 Total estimate
project cost
DEM Pua Sewage Pump Station Force Main Installation and
Rehabilitation
Install a new additional force main in order to address operational problems with existing
force main from Pua Sewage Pump Station to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant and
rehabilitate existing force main in order to provide redundundancy. Project requires
relocation of force main and effluent outfall sewer because of airport runway extension.
3 (1-3)25,000 40,401
DEM Wailuku Force Main and Gravity Sewer Replacement
Age and condition of assets necessitates replacement: Wailuku force main originally
constructed in 1963. Gravity sewer line originally constructed in 1968 and attached to
Wailuku Bridge crossing Wailuku River.
3 (1-3)4,400 4,400
DEM Repair/Replacement of Wastewater Facilities
Major repairs and/ or replacement of wastewater facilities at various locations to ensure
compliance with regulations under HAR 11-62, Wastewater Systems; HAR 11-54, State Water
Quality Standards; HAR 11-55, State Water Pollution Control; and the US Environmental
Protection Agency.
1-3,7,8 (1-3, 7, 8)10,000 63,866
DEM Replace Hilo Scales
Project is to replace both the inbound and outbound scales in Hilo that are used weigh all
loads coming to the East Hawaii Regional Sort Station and the greenwaste facility. The
outbound scale is currently out of commission leaving the inbound scale as the only
operational scale for the entire east side operations. The project will entail replacing the
scales one at a time to allow continued operations. Foundations, abutments, ramps, and slabs
will likely need to be demolished and replaced along with the actual scales.
3 (1-6)1,750 1,750
DEM Improvements to East Hawaii Sort Station
The EHRS is now being used on a daily basis since the SHSL permanently closed in Nov. 2019.
Due to daily usage, the operation reinforced concrete floor will need to be replaced. In order
for the concrete floor to be replaced, a second load out bay will need to be constructed. Once
the second load out bay is constructed, the existing load out bay will be refurbished and
upgraded. Project will also included upsizing the leachate system and individual wastewater
system.
3 (1-6)700 3,700
MTA Park and Ride Lots
Construct transit hubs in Pahoa, Kailua-Kona as first priorities and then in Kea'au, Waimea,
Waikola, Ocean View, Honoka'a, Prince Kuhio Plaza as second priorities. Rehabiliation of
Mo'oheau Bus Terminal as a first priority. Transit hubs would include bus bays, shelters,
benches, trash cans, bike racks, parking, building with community room/restroom, electric
vehicle charging and secure bus parking.
All 250 5,600
MTA Hub and Spoke Construction
Construct transit hubs in Pahoa, Kailua-Kona as first priorities and then in Kea'au, Waimea,
Waikoloa, Ocean View, Honoka'a, Prince Kuhio Plaza as second priorities. Rehabiliation of
Mo'oheau Bus Terminal as a first priority. Transit hubs would include bus bays, shelters,
benches, trash cans, bike racks, parking, building with community room/restroom, electric
vehicle charging and secure bus parking.
All 1,950 38,300
DEM Rural Transfer Station Repairs and Enhancements
This project is for necessary infrastructure repairs and improvements to the rural transfer sites
such as construction of recycling and green waste collection facilities and modifications to
refuse collection facilities.
All 2,000 21,974
Communication No. 2022-09
County
Department PROJECT Project Description Location/Benefit
(Council District)2022-23 Total estimate
project cost
DPR Repairs/Improvements to Facilities
The repair, renovation, upgrade, addition, modification, alteration, improvement, demolition,
landscaping, development, etc. of park sites, facilities, amenities, infrastructure, utilities,
components, etc. necessary to facilitate and support safe use thereof and to address the
needs of department staff, programs, activities, communities, recreational groups, etc. to fully
or best utilize the department's inventory of land and recreational developments to support
the needs of the public.
All 10,000 99,778
DPW Bridge Repair This project is for bridge repair and maintenance for County in-service bridges and County
maintained bridges that are registered on the National Bridge Inventory.All 15,000 15,000
DPW Facilities Improvements This project is for facilities improvements include (not limited to) additions, ADA compliance,
energy efficiency, hazard mitigation, hardening, maintenance, renovations, repairs, etc.All 11,600 76,600
DPW FHWA Bridge Inspection and Appraisal This project is for FHWA/DOT mandated inspection of County maintained in-service bridges
that are registered in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI).All 200 200
DPW Guardrail Safety Improvements - Islandwide This project will install roadway guardrail improvements island wide. All 1,600 1,600
HPD Holding Cell Improvements (Reappropriation 5299.77)
Plan, design, and construct to modify existing temporary detention facilities in the Hilo, Kona,
Puna, North Kohala, and South Kohala districts to comply with the Commission on
Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) standards, Chapters 71 and 72, which
requires separating males, females, and/or juveniles that are detained at the same time. The
holding cells shall be separated from each other by sight and sound.
All 600 600
MTA Islandwide Bus Shelters Construct bus shelters island-wide, as well as replace damaged shelters or relocate bus
shelters from areas that are no longer served by Hele-On.All 300 2,400
MTA Bus Stop ADA Compliance Design and constuct ADA pads for passengers to board buses at safe locations along State and
County right-of-way.All 625 1,265
MTA Bus Stop Signage Purchase 1,000 bus stop signs and decals for installation at each bus stop located throughout
Hawai'i Island.All 400 407
OHCD Affordable Housing Planning, Feasibility & Design
To increase affordable housing, OHCD is focusing on utilizing State and County owned lands
for development. The process to identify and determine lands suitable for affordable housing
often requires planning, feasibility, engineering, survey and design services prior to acquisition
from the State or seeking out public-private partnerships for development. This funding will
allow OHCD to absorb preplanning costs such as planning, feasibility, engineering, or design
studies to prepare the parcel for housing development. This includes any and all related costs.
All 1,000 3,000
OHCD Facilties Repairs/Maintenance and Renovation
OHCD maintains several facilties throughout the island. Three of the facilties are more than 20
years old. The existing buildings are in need of constant renovations/repairs & maintenance.
Repairs and maintenance & renovations of projects are medium to large scale. Repairs and
maintenance are needed to ensure continued project viability. Some of the repairs we have
scheduled include repainting and repairing the dry rot on stairs of 24 buildings at the Ulu Wini
Housing project. This includes any and all related costs.
All 750 9,350
Communication No. 2022-09
County
Department PROJECT Project Description Location/Benefit
(Council District)2022-23 Total estimate
project cost
PLNG State Research and Planning Program Grant
This project aims to utilize Federal research and planning funds managed by the Hawaii
Department of Transportation through the State Planning and Research Program. Eligible
activities for the SPR Program include planning of future highway programs and local public
transportation systems, and planning of the financing so such programs and systems,
including metropolitan and statewide planning.
All 100 100
DPR Discretionary Projects-Council District 1
The repair, renovation, upgrade, addition, modification, alteration, improvement, demolition,
landscaping, development, etc. of park sites, facilities, amenities, infrastructure, utilities,
components, etc. necessary to facilitate and support safe use thereof and to address the
needs of department staff, programs, activities, communities, recreational groups, etc. to fully
or best utilize the department's inventory of land and recreational developments to support
the needs of the public.
1 (1)150 150