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Home My WebLink About2022-09-20 HCDP Meeting Packet FinalMitchell D. Roth Mayor Lee E. Lord Managing Director West Hawai‘i Office 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 Phone (808) 323-4770 Fax (808) 327-3563 County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT Zendo Kern Director Jeffrey W. Darrow Deputy Director East Hawai‘i Office 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Hāmākua Action Committee in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-7, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. DATE: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 TIME: 5:30 P.M. PLACE: Jack Wayne Union Hall 45-3720 Honokaʻa-Waipiʻo Road Honokaʻa, HI 96727 Please note there will not be a Zoom attendance option for this meeting. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ANNOUNCEMENTS: • Communication No. 2022-15: Update on the Waipiʻo Valley Road Closure PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Written testimony may be submitted via email at cdp@hawaiicounty.gov or in person at the Hilo or Kona Planning Department, up to two (2) business days prior (Friday, September 16, 2022) to the meeting (see the Notice Section below). In addition, members of the public may provide oral testimony at the meeting on any of the agenda items. Comments may be made either during the public comment portion of the agenda or just prior to the relevant business item. With discretion of the Chair of the CDP Action Committee, comments may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Action Committee will consider the draft minutes for the May 17, 2022 meeting. BUSINESS: Page 2 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov 1. Election of Action Committee Officers: The Action Committee will nominate and elect a Chair to serve during the remainder of the 2022 calendar year and through the 2023 calendar year. 2. Hāmākua Action Committee Implementation Projects: Action Committee members will strategize on how they would like to proceed with ongoing or proposed implementation projects. Discussion may lead to the creation of an investigatory subcommittee and community liasion groups, as applicable. Joint initiatives with community members or partner organizations are encouraged. 3. Action Committee Support Letter for the Laupāhoehoe Boat Ramp and Breakwater: The Action Committee will consider a draft letter of support for the repair of the Laupāhoehoe Boat Ramp and Breakwater (Communication No. 2022-14). Committee Members will discuss and may take action to finalize and transmit the letter. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: Action Committee members will discuss logistics (meeting date/time) and potential agenda topics for the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/fol/109367/Row1.aspx. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961- 8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. NOTICE: The purpose of the public hearings is to afford all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the above items. A person desiring to submit oral or written testimony shall indicate their name and whether the testimony is on their behalf or as a representative of an organization or individual. Written testimony can be submitted via email or hard copy. Hard copies should include an original and nine copies and be submitted no later than 4:30pm two days prior to the hearing date. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service, other reasonable modification, or language interpretation to access this meeting please contact the Planning Department at (808) 961- 8288 as soon as possible, but no later than five working days prior to the meeting date, to arrange for accommodations. “Other reasonable modification” refers to communication methods or devices for people with disabilities who are mentally and/or physically challenged. If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code). A lobbyist means, “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code). Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720. HĀMĀKUA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Mitchell 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, May 17, 2022 1 DRAFT Meeting Minutes 2 CALL TO ORDER 3 Chair McKnight called the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action Committee 4 (AC) to order at 5:03 P.M. A quorum was established with five members in attendance. Due to 5 restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and new provisions set by the Sunshine Law, this 6 meeting was held via the Zoom interactive video platform with one on-site location at the 7 Laupāhoehoe Train Museum. 8 ROLL CALL 9 AC Members Present: Jeff McKnight (Chair); Niki Hubbard (Vice-Chair); Brad Kurokawa; Rob 10 Nishimoto; Tawn Keeney 11 AC Members Absent-Excused: Rhonda Pollard; Carol Ignacio; Desiree Cruz; Crystal Kua 12 County Staff: Planners – Keiko Mercado, Heather Bartlett, Elyse Stevens, Kevin Sullivan 13 County Officials: Councilmember Heather Kimball, Jennifer Kagiwada (Legislative Assistant) 14 1 member of the public attended the meeting via Zoom. The meeting was also available for 15 synchronous viewing via the COH Planning Department YouTube Livestream. The livestream is 16 available at (23) Hāmākua CDP AC Meeting - May 17 - YouTube 17 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 18 • The November Hāmākua Action Committee meeting was moved to Thursday, November 19 17th. (Communication Number 2022-10) 20 Communication No. 2022-10 2022 Calendar.pdf (hawaiicounty.gov) may be viewed here. 21 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 22 Vice-Chair Hubbard noted that her name was spelled incorrectly in the March 15, 2022 minutes 23 and requested that it be corrected to Nicolette. 24 Vice-Chair Niki Hubbard made a motion to approve the March 15, 2022 minutes. Motion 25 seconded by Committee Member Brad Kurokawa. Motion passed with 5 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 26 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: 27 One member of the public provided oral and written testimony: 28 Deborah Chang, representing herself, provided both written and oral testimony on agenda item 29 3. She asked for the Action Committee’s support in getting a site visit for Kahawai road and 30 Lower Kalōpā road to establish them as public rights-of-way. 31 There was an overall discussion regarding the roads location. Legislative Assistant Jennifer 32 Kagiwada stated she was sitting in for Councilmember Kimball and reiterated her sentiment for 33 support on the issue at hand. 34 Ms. Changs’ written testimony (Communication No. 2022-11) may be viewed here. 35 BUSINESS: 36 1. Update on the Shoreline Setback Project: 37 Mr. Sullivan screen shared a PowerPoint to discuss the islandwide Shoreline Pursuit Project 38 based on integrated Coastal Zone Management HRS Chapter 205A, Federal Coastal Zone 39 Management Act. He described the five phases of the project and the involved agencies 40 such as the University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UHH), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), 41 FEMA, Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 42 Administration (NOAA), and the Pacific Island Climate Adaptation Science Center (Pi-CASC). 43 He explained that Phase 1 targeted the Hāmākua coastline and was comprised of helicopter 44 flights for image collection and analysis. He summarized how the data collected helped to 45 measure shoreline typology and classification, create time-series images of top-of-cliff 46 delineations, identify coastal changes for inundation models, and calculate sea level rises, 47 riparian buffers, and coastal setbacks. He stated how the applied data would help to analyze 48 change rates within the Hāmākua shoreline to establish island-wide policy, future shoreline 49 resilience, and hazard typology. 50 He explained that Phases 2 and 3, were focused on policy implementation to gauge coastal 51 resilience and stated that the program would have a better policy baseline understanding 52 within the next few months. 53 Phases 4 and 5 were a continuation of Phase 1 for island-wide data collection that included 54 additional survey areas with current and potential developments. He explained that these 55 phases would examine coastline changes and briefly discussed the project timeline for the 56 end of the year. 57 Committee Member Kurokawa expressed the need to protect riparian corridors. He was 58 hopeful for future funding for island-wide data collection and policy implementation due to 59 the potential for disasters and property damage within the Hāmākua coastline. 60 Mr. Sullivan discussed the need for ecological and cultural protection along the Hāmākua 61 coastline. He recognized the issue with over clearing and grading of parcels and the need to 62 coordinate with the Department of Public Works. He expressed the potential restoration of 63 coastal species and a broad framework with specific shoreline setback regulations for Hawai'i 64 Island. He would have a better understanding of how the data could direct policy toward the 65 end of 2022 and would follow up with the Action Committee. 66 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3 Committee Member Kurokawa discussed ecological and conservative approaches to protect 67 specific agricultural areas. He mentioned existing development pressure and funding as 68 current issues. He discussed the disregard for maintenance and preservation of drainage 69 berms by new developments. He also reiterated that future community outreach for the 70 Shoreline Setback Project could involve continued conservation efforts. 71 Committee Member Nishimoto praised Mr. Sullivanʻs efforts and encouraged him to update 72 the Action Committee on the projects’ progress. 73 2. CIP Budget Overview: 74 Staff shared the FY2022-23 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget spreadsheet that 75 outlined capital project appropriations submitted to the County Council relating to the 76 Hāmākua District. Ms. Mercado stated that the listed projects ranged from being directly 77 related to the Hāmākua District to broader island-wide benefits. She offered to provide 78 Financial Impact Statement (FIS) sheets for specific projects should the Hāmākua Action 79 Committee be interested. 80 Vice-Chair Hubbard had questions regarding testimony for the County Council CIP budget 81 meetings. Councilmember Kimball stated that the Thursday, May 19 budget meeting would 82 allow for public testimony. 83 Chair McKnight asked how proposed projects were considered. Councilmember Kimball 84 stated projects were accepted as a package based on each Department’s needs. She 85 elaborated that priorities are added every year and the projects on the current list were 86 newly proposed. She discussed the District 1 projects currently in progress, such as the 87 Laupāhoehoe Road and Boat Ramp, and bridge repairs. Ms. Mercado clarified that CIP 88 projects remain in the budget and then are reappropriated as needed. 89 Committee Member Kurokawa discussed bridge repair concerns, specifically asking if 90 Kaʻahakini Stream Bridge was included in the CIP budget. Councilmember Kimball confirmed 91 that bridge repair is accounted for from previous CIP appropriations. She also confirmed 92 new funding for the Papaʻaloa Gym replacement (State allocated 5 million with the County to 93 match funds), and Waipiʻo Valley road safety improvements. 94 Communication No. 2022-12 May CIP FY2022-23 (Hamakua) Final.v2.pdf (hawaiicounty.gov) may be viewed 95 here. 96 3. Infrastructure Discussion: 97 Ms. Mercado explained that the upcoming Federal Infrastructure Bill funding would be 98 allocated to the State and County. To prepare for this, the Administration created a task 99 force to identify priority projects. The Planning Director requested that the Action 100 Committee discuss infrastructure project ideas for their district. Planning Staff would then 101 record the projects identified and provide them to the Director. 102 Vice-Chair Hubbard suggested the Laupāhoehoe Boat ramp, road and bridge needed Federal 103 assistance. Committee Member Kurokawa suggested alternative routes and connectivity for 104 emergency purposes. Chair McKnight proposed the need for adequate emergency shelters 105 to prepare for potential hurricane disasters and climate change impacts. Committee 106 Member Kurokawa brought up the Hakalau School and Gym which is in dire need of repair. 107 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 4 He discussed the need to coordinate with the Department of Education and the Department 108 of Land and Natural Resources to transition the structures into community emergency 109 shelters. Councilmember Kimball stated that these projects can be “shovel worthy”, and do 110 not necessarily need to be “shovel ready.” She suggested the Action Committee identify 111 projects that “just make sense.” 112 Vice-Chair Hubbard proposed that the Waipiʻo access be added to the list. She noted that 113 though everyone was aware of the existing issue, it was still a significant project to highlight. 114 Ms. Mercado suggested that AC Members discuss projects and priorities within their 115 community networks. She requested that all proposed infrastructure projects be submitted 116 by the end of May and that Planning Staff would follow up with Action Committee members 117 as needed. 118 4. Action Committee Community Project Discussion: 119 The Action Committee continued their discussion to identify community action initiatives for 120 2022 and explore mutual interests between Action Committee members to potentially 121 create investigatory subcommittees and community liaison groups. 122 Ms. Mercado screen shared action items from the Hāmākua CDP Implementation Table. She 123 noted common areas within the table with more than 2 people could provide the 124 opportunity to create an investigatory subcommittee. She offered that Planning Staff could 125 provide the necessary resources and connections that may support the Action Committee 126 with their initiatives. 127 Vice-Chair Hubbard hoped for the formation of an investigatory subcommittee for public 128 access and trails. She shared however that she would not be able to commit her time to the 129 project. 130 Ms. Mercado gave an example of an investigatory subcommittee within the Action 131 Committee and reiterated the idea for AC members to work outside of regularly scheduled 132 meetings. She suggested the collaboration between Committee Member Keeney and 133 Community Member Chang regarding the Lower Kalōpā Road could potentially become an 134 investigatory subcommittee if more AC Members were interested. 135 Committee Member Keeney stated that he and Community Member Chang would 136 collaborate and asked if anyone else were interested in the Lower Kalōpā Road Trail Project. 137 Community Member Chang discussed the need for a site visit to occur. She explained that 138 relying on maps alone was deceiving, in that what you see on-site could include overgrowth 139 or other barriers. She added that permission would be needed for any on-site visit due to 140 privately owned lands and blocked access. There was a brief discussion about ownership of 141 the subject roads. Ms. Mercado offered to connect the liaison group with Long Range 142 Planner, Kamuela Plunkett to assist with the conversation about public access. 143 Ms. Mercado confirmed that no investigatory subcommittee has been established for the 144 Lower Kalōpā Trail Road, but one could potentially be formed in the future. 145 Vice-Chair Hubbard updated the Action Committee about the Papaʻaloa Gym. She explained 146 that the State allocated 5 million in the budget, and the County would match the funds. She 147 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 5 added that the County released a needs assessment survey to assess how the community 148 may want to move forward on the project (link below). They hoped to hold public meetings 149 in the near future regarding the construction of the new gym. 150 Vice-Chair Hubbard also shared information about Vibrant Hawai'i, which is a growing 151 community organization that is committed to collective action for affordable housing. She 152 mentioned that the organization is currently looking for writers. 153 You may find the Pāpa'aloa Needs Assessment here. 154 You may find the Vibrant Hawai‘i Website here. 155 Chair McKnight updated the Action Committee relative to the Emergency Preparedness 156 working group. He previously donated a repeater and two-way radio system to the 157 Department of Civil Defense. He discussed obtaining an FCC license and antennae system for 158 future emergency implementation. 159 Committee Member Keeney discussed Senate Bill No. 2070 which granted a 50 million 160 Special Purpose Revenue Bond to the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative. He stated 161 that the main objective was to reforest the Kona Coast and how the initiative had already 162 accomplished up to 73 acres in reforestation. He claimed he was unsure how the new 163 funding would impact the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative but believed it could pave 164 the way for other community groups. He proposed potential discussions between the Action 165 Committee and the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative in the future. 166 You may find Senate Bill 2070 (SD1) here. 167 Councilmember Kimball highlighted a two-day community meeting on Friday, June 10 (2pm-168 6pm) and Saturday, 11 (10am-1pm) at the Jack Wayne ILWU Union Hall in Honokaʻa 169 regarding Waipiʻo Valley public access. She encouraged the Action Committee to participate 170 and to share the information within the community. 171 Ms. Mercado suggested creating a Google Document for the Action Committee to access and 172 update with projects and priorities. She suggested the Action Committee email Planning 173 Staff with any suggestions for the Joint Action Committee meeting agenda. She proposed 174 that Planning Staff would also provide a link to a PowerPoint presentation staff did that 175 outlines how Action Committee can initiate self-run meetings. 176 Chair McKnight asked the Action Committee to think about other locations for future 177 meetings within the Hāmākua district, preferably with Wi-Fi connectivity, and to send 178 suggestions to Planning Staff. 179 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: None. 180 ADJOURNMENT: Committee Member Keeney moved to adjourn. Seconded by Committee 181 Member Kurokawa. The motion passes with 5 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 182 The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 pm. 183 This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 184 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 185 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 6 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 186 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 187 County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT www.planning.Hawaiʻicounty.gov Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@Hawaiʻicounty.gov Zendo Kern Director Jeffrey W. Darrow Deputy Director Mitchell D. Roth Mayor Lee E. Lord Managing Director East Hawai‘i Office 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 West Hawai‘i Office 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 Phone (808) 323-4770 Fax (808) 327-3563 September 20, 2022 County of Hawai'i Director Maurice Messina Department of Parks and Recreation 101 Pauahi St. Suite 6 Hilo, HI 96720 Cc: Councilmember Heather Kimball Dear Director Maurice Messina: The Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action Committee (AC) is writing in support of repairing and maintaining the Laupāhoehoe Boat Ramp and Breakwater. The HCDP acknowledges that there are infrastructure challenges in Hāmākua, particularly due to our long and remote coastline. The Laupāhoehoe Boat Ramp area is cited as a resource for the Hāmākua community, which should be utilized and maintained because of its importance in providing access and resources along the coast. The HCDP’s values and vision statement clearly support this, stating: “We, the residents of Hāmākua recognize that the foundation of our life, livelihood, and well-being comes from the ‘āina-the land, the seas…As active stewards, we mālama the ‘āina as the source of sustenance for ourselves, and future generations.” As volunteer stewards of the land and sea, the Hāmākua community needs government assistance in the maintenance and repair of this integral facility. The June 16, 2022, U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) report on Coastal Navigation explicitly describes how preference is given to larger economic centers when considering repair and maintenance projects. Developing facilities for large economic gain is not a sustainable policy for Hāmākua and for Hawaiʻi Island in general. The COVID-19 pandemic placed sustainability and local resources at the forefront for a viable economy. Having small harbors that allow local fisherman to access fisheries for local economic development and subsistence practices is desirable. The same GAO Report also considered how an inoperable boat ramp remains a risk for stakeholders: Local community members and Corps officials stated that this project serves as a “lifeline” to several communities with district cultures. Specifically, Laupāhoehoe Harbor is the only ocean Director Maurice Messina, Director Department of Parks and Recreation September 20, 2022 Page 2 access for boats on the Hāmākua Coast, which is served by a single highway, raising the risk of isolation of the community from major population centers, medical services, and supplies should the highway be inaccessible. As a result, an operating boat launch ramp would provide another method to get resources to the community or to evacuate community members in the event of an emergency. In terms of providing access, Section 5.9 of the HCDP, Improve Emergency Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation is another example of how the ramp is an invaluable asset to our community. The area should be a focal point for disaster preparedness, as an access point for communities cut off from roads due to bridge failure or landslides. We note this is not a hypothetical scenario. Currently, two of our highway bridges are weight restricted and all traffic has been re-routed off the Hāmākua coast. It is logical for our community to anticipate needing the ramp/breakwater for emergency assistance. In addition, Section 4.2.6, Community Action 4 of the HCDP encourages the development of a hui of fisherman on the Hāmākua coast. On Sunday June 12, 2022, that fisherman community was invited to voice their support for the repair and maintenance of the Laupāhoehoe Boat Ramp and breakwater. That meeting was facilitated by Councilmember Heather Kimball with your attendance and support. Approximately 75 people attended and voiced their concerns. Lastly, the Laupāhoehoe ramp, with a functioning breakwater, can provide another option for community recreation. Per Section 5.13 of the HCDP, Expand Parks and Recreation, communities surrounding Laupāhoehoe may use the Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park extensively for family time, socialization, and enjoyment. The ramp and breakwater area is a popular place to gather, and it needs to be safe. The Action Committee acknowledges budget restrictions, but we want to emphasize that the area is beneficial to the health and well-being of our community and deserves the required repair and maintenance to function properly. For all these reasons combined, the Laupāhoehoe Boat Ramp and breakwater is considered a top capital improvement priority of our Community Development Plan. Thank you for considering how central and significant the Laupāhoehoe Boat Ramp and breakwater is to our Hāmākua community. We look forward to the ramp and breakwater functioning properly in the near future. Sincerely, Hāmākua CDP Action Committee Nicolette Hubbard, HCDP AC Vice Chair Brad Kurokawa Carol Ignacio Desiree Moana Cruz Director Maurice Messina, Director Department of Parks and Recreation September 20, 2022 Page 2 Rhonda Pollard Crystal Kua Robert Nishimoto Tawn Keeney