HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-07 Windward Planning Commission Minutes
WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAIÒI
MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2011
The Windward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:05 a.m. in the County of
HawaiÒi, Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, HawaiÒi, with Chairman
Zendo Kern presiding.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Zendo Kern, Dean Au, Wallace Ishibashi, and Stephen Ono
STAFF PRESENT: Julie Mecklenburg (Deputy Corporation Counsel), Daryn Arai (Planning
Program Manager), Phyllis Fujimoto (Staff Planner), Maija Cottle (Staff Planner), and Jeff
Darrow (Staff Planner).
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Takashi Domingo and Rell Woodward
The Chair introduced the staff and Windward Planning Commissioners to the public and
described the procedures to be followed for todayÓs meeting.
The Commission took the following item up at 9:07 a.m. with approximately 60 people from the
public in attendance:
APPLICANT: COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT (SMA 11-045)
Application for a Special Management Area Use Permit to allow the Hilo Bayfront Trails
project, which will include a variety of multimodal paths spanning a distance of approximately
two miles between Hilo Harbor and the Wailuku River in Downtown Hilo and looping into
several associated areas. The project will include various impr
racks, benches and related improvements. The properties are located along the Hilo Bayfront
area, South Hilo, HawaiÒi, TMKs: 2-1-1:12 & 102; 2-1-3:1 & 19; 2-1-5:1; 2-1-6:10; 2-2-1:27; 2-
2-2:1 & 035; 2-2-3:3 & 046; 2-2-4:1, 2, 25, 28, 35, 56 & 60; 2-2-5:2; 2-2-6:1, 26 & 27; 2-2-7:18;
2-2-11:1; 2-2-12:1 & 16; 2-2-13:3; 2-2-14:2; 2-2-29:1, 8 & 27; 2-2-31:1; 2-2-33:1 & 15; 2-2-
53:19, 20 & 23; 2-3-1:2 and various County and State road rights-of-way adjacent to above
described parcels.
(SEE EXHIBIT A)
RECESSED Î The Chair called a short recess at 10:00 a.m.
RECONVENED Î The Chair reconvened the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
The Commission took the following item up at 10:14 a.m. with approximately 64 people from
the public in attendance:
APPLICANT: HU HONUA BIOENERGY LLC (SMA 221)
Discussion and action on the Hearings OfficerÓs report and recommendation on amendment to
Special Management Area Use Permit No. 221 which originally allowed the establishment of a
coal storage area and a coal burning energy plant and related improvements. The amendment
request is to allow a change in fuel source from coal to biomass, to upgrade the existing facility
and to construct support facilities and infrastructure at the former PepeÒeke Power Plant,
Makahanaloa, South Hilo, HawaiÒi, TMK: 2-8-8:104 (formerly 2-8-7: Portion of 53).
(SEE EXHIBIT B)
RECESSED Î The Chair called a short recess at 11:10 a.m.
RECONVENED Î The Chair reconvened the meeting at 11:21 a.m.
MINUTES Î At 11:58 a.m., the Commission took up the following approval of the minutes:
March 3, 2011 Î It was moved by Commissioner Au and seconded by Commissioner Ono that
the minutes be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Î At 11:59 a.m., the following was discussed under
administrative matters.
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May 4 and 5, 2011 Meetings Î Mr. Arai said there are four items scheduled for the May 4
meeting, with Hu HonuaÓs matter scheduled last, noting should Hu HonuaÓs matter not conclude
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that day it is also scheduled for May 5, if necessary. Commissioner Au expressed his concern
of the Commission having repetitive testimony presented the subsequent day. Mr. AraiÓs noted
the public can testify on any agenda item. Ms. Mecklenburg noted she will provide some
guidance on the Sunshine Law, noting there are limits to public testimony such as if the
testimony is redundant or irrelevant to the matter that is on the agenda. In response to
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Commission OnoÓs inquiry, Mr. Arai said if the Hu Honua matter is concluded on May 4, the
staff would post a sign up at the meeting room saying the matter has been concluded.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Î There were no announcements made.
ADJOURNMENT Î There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned
at 12:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary
A T T E S T:
Zendo Kern, Chairman
Planning Commission
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