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Home My WebLink About2023-01-10 HCDP Meeting PacketMitchell 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, January 10, 2023 TIME: 5:00 P.M. LOCATION: This meeting will be held by Interactive Conference Technology (ICT) through Zoom. The public may provide verbal testimony at the meeting by attending in-person or calling into the Zoom meeting. Members of the public may attend via Zoom or attend the in-person on site location listed below. To register for verbal testimony please contact staff at cdp@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8288. Zoom registration link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdeGvpj4qGJK82ovqLYm EqtFY9wjr7JY If internet connection is lost, the public meeting will be automatically recessed to restore communication. If lost connection exceeds 30 minutes, the meeting will be terminated In-person site location: Honokaʻa People's Theatre 45-3574 Mamane St Honokaʻa, Hawaii 96727 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ANNOUNCEMENTS • Information Sharing from Councilmember Heather Kimball Page2 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov • North Hilo Community Council meeting update regarding Laupāhoehoe Point. • Hakalau Bridge information from the Hakalau Neighborhood Watch and Hanamalo Loop Homeowners Association. • The Hawaiʻi County Chapter 25 Zoning & Chapter 23 Subdivision Code Update Project is currently underway. Public open house meetings are scheduled for January 17, 2023 and January 18, 2023. For more information and to provide feedback please visit: http://cohcodeupdate.com/ PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: The Public may provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining online or calling into the Zoom meeting. Please register to testify by contacting cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 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 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, January 6, 2023, to the meeting (see the Notice Section below). APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Action Committee will consider the draft minutes for the October 18th, 2022, and the November 15, 2022, meeting. BUSINESS: 1. Subcommittee Report Back to Action Committee: Designated subcommittees will report back and provide updates to the Action Committee regarding their progress. o Waipi‘o Wahi Pana o Housing (CDP Section 5.2 – Community Action #25) 2. Action Committee Project Prioritization Discussion: Action Committee members will engage in an exercise to establish priority implementation projects and interests. Discussion will include exploring mutual interests between Action Committee members to create investigatory subcommittees and community liaison groups, as applicable. Joint initiatives with community members or partner organizations are encouraged. o Zoning & Subdivision Code Revision Subcommittee o Lehua St. Infrastructure Subcommittee o Existing subcommittee status 3. Action Committee Community Outreach Strategy: The Action Committee will discuss and strategize how to increase meeting attendance and better engage with the Hāmākua community. o Please see Communication No. 2022-30 – Public Invitation for CDP Action Committee Access 4. Action Committee Support Letter for Hakalau School: The Action Committee will review and vote on sending a letter of support for the Hakalau School regarding the renewal of their long-term lease from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Page3 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov o Please see Communication No. 2022- 31 – Letter of Support for Hakalau School Lease Renewal 5. Status On All Action Committees Discussion: The Action Committee will discuss the current work of each Action Committee of Hawaiʻi Island, to include: Kaʻū, Kona, North Kohala, Puna, and South Kohala. COMMUNICATIONS: 6. Communication No. 2022-28 Department of Transportation Request for Comments Regarding the Hakalau Bridge 7. Communication No. 2022-27 Action Committee Subcommittee Guidance 8. Communication No. 2022-23 Planning Department Community Planning Newsletter 9. Communication No. 2022-29 Tawn Keeney Letter to all Action Committees Regarding a Future Joint Action Committee Meeting AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: Action Committee members will discuss logistics (meeting date/time) and potential agenda items 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 (5) 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, Hawai‘i County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1402, 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, October 18, 2022 1 DRAFT Meeting Minutes 2 CALL TO ORDER 3 Vice-Chair Niki Hubbard called the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action 4 Committee (AC) to order at 5:41 P.M. This was an Action Committee hosted meeting held at the 5 Laupāhoehoe Public Library- Humanities Room; there was no Zoom option. Quorum was 6 established at this meeting. 7 ROLL CALL 8 AC Members Present: Nicolette Hubbard (Vice Chair); Brad Kurokawa, Rhonda Pollard; Robert 9 Nishimoto; Tawn Keeney. 10 AC Members Absent-Excused: Carol Ignacio; Desiree Moana Cruz; Crystal Kua 11 County Officials: Suzanna Tiapula, Deputy Corporation Counsel 12 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 13 Reminder that this was a Hāmākua Action Committee-hosted meeting. There was no Planning 14 Department staff in attendance. 15 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 16 Action Committee Member Tawn Keeney requested to revise the draft minutes of the May 17, 17 2022, to clarify, the removal of the sentence in the agenda item #2, Implementation Projects, 18 “He thought they could be a model the HCDP could use.” As that is not what he meant to suggest. 19 *Please note that the roll call information was not provided for this motion and will need to be 20 clarified. 21 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: 22 Three (3) members of the public provided oral testimony and/or written testimony. 23 1. Richard Bidleman, representing himself, provided oral testimony on agenda item #2. He 24 shared that he served on the Puna Action Committee and encouraged the Hāmākua 25 Action Committee to get the community involved on various subcommittees to increase 26 community involvement. He shared his personal experience by serving on a Puna Action 27 Committee infrastructure subcommittee and how they decided to focus on healthcare; 28 www.planning.Hawaiʻicounty.gov/ CDP@Hawaiʻicounty.gov Page 2 they were able to get a clinic in Pahoa with public and private funds. He believes that 29 subcommittees can recruit community members. Additionally, he read from the HCDP 30 page 82, Policy 70 – Safe Sidewalks in Honokaʻa. There are 5 streets with no sidewalks 31 leading down into town. Lehua St. would be the best candidate for sidewalks because of 32 the new development proposed. He hopes this becomes a priority. 33 2. Meizhu Lui, representing herself, provided both written and oral testimony on agenda 34 item #2. She shared about how the CDP process started 15 years ago and believed now 35 is the time to get involved again and make sure the CDP is implemented. She proposed a 36 future agenda item for the next meeting regarding land use. She expressed how 37 incoming residents do not know the rules and permitted uses within the district. She 38 believes we need to inform them and have a mechanism to create awareness. She 39 expressed how even some residents are not aware. She would like to know who to direct 40 questions or who to report to regarding violations. 41 Ms. Lui’s written testimony (Communication No. 2022-18) may be viewed here. 42 3. Lei Brown, representing herself, provided oral testimony on agenda #2. She expressed 43 how she can help with the Policy 52 of the Hāmākua Development Plan (HCDP) and 44 Waipi‘o Wahi Pana Subcommittee. She had questions regarding the editing and updating 45 the CDP and the creation and/or existence of a fisheries management subcommittee. 46 Please note, from this moment the Action Committee went into a long discussion that was more 47 like Wahi Pana committee work 48 Action Committee member Keeney shared that he believes the CDP can be edited. He restated 49 that the Waipio Wahi Pana subcommittee was formed with 3 members, that the mayor hosted a 50 meeting about the current issue since the Action Committee last met. And it was left in the 51 community’s hands to figure out and so it seems that the CDP has a role to play now. He would 52 like to join the committee. 53 Community member Brown hopes the goal is to manage the valley beyond just the current 54 conflict. Community member Bruce K. stated that an integrated management plan is needed, 55 and the CDP’s role is to provide a place for community input and bring it back to the County to 56 move the plan forward. 57 Community member Brown shared that the prior steering committees with Destination 58 Management Action Plan (DMAP) were slowed because of the focus on destination not Wahi 59 Pana and lots of parties were lacking representation. 60 There was a discussion regarding notifying all parties and have them review policy 52 and come 61 to share with the Action Committee. The Action Committee doesn’t want to duplicate what is 62 being done. 63 Community member Randy S. asked Community member Brown to define fisheries, which she 64 clarified that she hopes to have a management plan that covers both the ocean and river 65 fisheries. 66 www.planning.Hawaiʻicounty.gov/ CDP@Hawaiʻicounty.gov Page 3 Action Committee member Nishimoto shared that he values the Wahi Pana concept, he 67 acknowledges that there is often a disconnect between cultural methods that work for Hawaiʻi 68 and state and federal agencies; Western methods do not work for Hawaiʻi but are prescribed in 69 plans they come up with. There is also a challenge with the state and federal agencies saying it is 70 not their kuleana and some areas are not managed. He has seen fishery management disasters 71 following western ideas. The right way to approach management here is mauka to makai, the 72 muliwai. Action Committee member Nishimoto is willing to share his experiences having worked 73 with many of the agencies that manage these areas. 74 Vice-Chair Hubbard discussed watershed and referred to section 4.6 in the CDP. She asked if the 75 Action Committee would want another committee, or will Waipi‘o Wahi Pana be able to cover 76 this as well? Action Committee member Keeney said he would resign from the subcommittee to 77 allow Action Committee Nishimoto to participate. The Wahi Pana Subcommittee now consists of: 78 Brad Kurokawa, Rhonda Pollard, Desiree Moana Cruz, and Bob Nishimoto. 79 BUSINESS: 80 1. Election of Action Committee Officers: 81 Action Committee member Nishimoto declined the nomination as Chair from the previous 82 September 20, 2022, meeting. 83 Action Committee member Kurokawa moved to nominate Tawn Keeney. Seconded by Action 84 Committee member Pollard. Motion passed with 5 ayes, 0 nay. 85 Action Committee member Nishimoto asked Action Committee member Keeney to explain his 86 position on the North Kohala’s AC changing to an advisory council. Action Committee member 87 Keeney explained that while he is interested to see how an Advisory Group works, he does not 88 want to follow that model, as the Action Committee would lose their status as an official board; 89 wants the Action Committee to liase with the County. 90 2. Hāmākua Action Committee Implementation Projects: 91 Action Committee member Keeney previously mentioned creating a Housing Subcommittee and 92 wanted to explore that. Vice-Chair Hubbard shared that she would like to know what specifically 93 the subcommittee would address as what the CDP Community Action listed was very limiting. 94 Action Committee member Keeney made a motion to form a Housing Subcommittee; seconded by 95 Vice-Chair Hubbard. 96 There was discussion centered around possible topics of interests for this subcommittee that 97 require further investigation and discussion. Vice-Chair Hubbard read from the Hāmākua 98 Community Development Plan (CDP), Section 5, 5.1 and 5.2. 99 Action Committee member Kurokawa reminded the Action Committee of their liaison roles. He 100 discussed the County zoning code updates and the upcoming community meeting he will be 101 attending. There were discussions around the Action Committee being involved with the Code 102 update regarding input, a potential island-wide CDP meeting or a potential consultant 103 presentation. 104 www.planning.Hawaiʻicounty.gov/ CDP@Hawaiʻicounty.gov Page 4 Action Committee member Keeney discussed the need to mitigate the disconnect between the 105 community and the Planning Department, and other departments. Action Committee member 106 Kurokawa further discussed the infrastructure needs within the community and posed questions 107 regarding future services from the Department of Water. He suggested a presentation from the 108 Department of Water Supply. 109 Vice-Chair Hubbard asked if the Action Committee could volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, since 110 that is listed as an action item. 111 There was a vote to approve the Housing Subcommittee with 5 ayes, 0 nay. The Housing 112 Subcommittee currently consists of Vice-Chair Hubbard and Action Committee member Keeney. 113 The Action Committee discussed other implementation projects. Action Committee member 114 Kurokawa shared he is still working on the Action Item regarding Hakalau School (Hāmākua 115 Community Development Plan – Section 5.13 Expand Parks & Recreation Facilities, Community 116 Action #39). He stated how the Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) and the 117 Department of Education (DOE) need to work together. He will continue to report back to the 118 Action Committee. 119 Vice-Chair Hubbard asked for a list of implementation projects; Action Committee Kurokawa 120 recalled a Matrix. Vice-Chair Hubbard would like access to review and invite entities from each 121 action item to share and spread awareness of their work. 122 There was a general discussion regarding a property tour concerning the huiMAU community 123 initiatives, Permitted Interaction Groups (PIGs) and the status of the County of Hawaiʻi Community 124 Planning website. 125 Please see the link below for more information about Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU): 126 huiMAU - HuiMAU Home (alaulili.com) 127 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: 128 1. Subcommittee Report Back to Action Committee: 129 a. Waipi‘o Wahi Pana Report 130 b. Housing Subcommittees Report and possible invitation of the Hāmākua 131 Development Corporation. 132 2. Presentation by the Planning Department on Permitted Uses. 133 3. Presentation by the Planning Department on Zoning Code Changes. Possible creation of 134 a subcommittee to participate 135 4. Presentation from Noeau Peralto from huiMAU: Possible Action Committee meeting at 136 huiMAU property or the creation of a subcommittee. 137 5. Presentation by the County of Hawaiʻi Fire Department: Fire Prevention Plans 138 6. County of Hawaiʻi Department of Water Supply – Discuss infrastructure needs and 139 installation and how they utilize the CDPs. 140 7. Next year’s calendar and locations 141 ADJOURNMENT: 142 Action Committee member Pollard moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Vice-Chair 143 Hubbard. 144 www.planning.Hawaiʻicounty.gov/ CDP@Hawaiʻicounty.gov Page 5 The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 pm. 145 This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 146 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 147 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 148 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@Hawaiʻicounty.gov. 149 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, November 15, 2022 1 DRAFT Meeting Minutes 2 CALL TO ORDER 3 Chair Tawn Keeney called the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action Committee 4 (AC) to order at 5:42 P.M. This was an Action Committee hosted meeting held at the Kulaʻimano 5 Community Center Picnic Bench. Quorum was established at this meeting. 6 ROLL CALL 7 AC Members Present: Tawn Keeney (Chair); Niki Hubbard (Vice-Chair); Brad Kurokawa; Rhonda 8 Pollard; Robert Nishimoto; Crystal Kua. 9 AC Members Absent-Excused: Carol Ignacio; Desiree Moana Cruz. 10 Corporation Counsel: Suzanna Tiapula, Deputy Corporation Counsel. 11 6 members of the public attended the meeting in person. 12 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None 13 14 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 15 1. This is a Hāmākua Action Committee hosted meeting. There was no County staff in 16 attendance. 17 2. Chair Keeney shared that Bill 238 was being heard by County Council regarding changes 18 to the Building Permit approval process. *Please note, this announcement was made at 19 the end of this meeting. 20 Please see more information about Bill 238 here: BIL 238 Draft 01 2020-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink 21 (hawaiicounty.gov) 22 3. Chair Keeney reported back on the discussion he had with Deputy Corporation Counsel, 23 Suzanna Tiapula, regarding the Sunshine Law as it relates to communications of members 24 across the Action Committees. An Action Committee member may contact members of 25 other Action Committees so long as they do not start a chain communication amongst 26 members of the same committee. Action Committee members cannot discuss business 27 via reply-all emails. It was understood that information can be shared with all members if 28 it is made a public communication in a meeting packet. 29 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2 4. Chair Keeney announced that the testimony from the October 18th meeting will be 30 addressed at the December Hāmākua Action Committee meeting: 31 • Communication No. 2022-18: Meizhu Lui’s Testimony 32 • Oral Testimony provided by community member, Richard Bidleman regarding 33 sidewalks and a possible presentation by the Department of Public Works. 34 At this point, Vice-Chair Niki Hubbard moved to change the order of the agenda due to the 35 meeting being held outside on a picnic bench. The Action Committee prioritized Administrative 36 Matter item #1 and Business Agenda Item #4. 37 ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER: 38 1. Action Committee Meeting Calendar for 2023: 39 Vice-Chair Niki Hubbard moved to approve the Action Committee Meeting Calendar for 2023. 40 Seconded by Action Committee member Crystal Kua. 41 Discussion centered around the Action Committee’s scheduling conflict with the County 42 Council meetings. She stated that Councilmember Heather Kimball cannot attend in-43 person meetings on Tuesdays due to Council meetings in Kona. If meetings were held on 44 Zoom, there’s a possibility that she could attend. A recent County directive has made it 45 uncertain if planning staff can attend meetings at night. 46 Vice-Chair Niki Hubbard amended her motion to approve the calendar, meeting on the 3rd 47 Tuesday of every month, to revise the physical location of the meetings to be at the Honokaʻa 48 People’s Theatre for the next year. Seconded by Action Committee member Crystal Kua. 49 Motion passed with votes 6 aye, 0 no. 50 2. Election for Action Committee Secretary Position: 51 Action Committee moved this matter to the next Hāmākua Action Committee meeting in 52 December. 53 BUSINESS: 54 4. Zoom-Hybrid Meeting Discussion: 55 Chair Tawn Keeney moved to switch to a Zoom-hybrid meeting format going forward. 56 Seconded by Action Committee member Crystal Kua. Discussion included logistics and the 57 required equipment. Chair Keeney has a computer with a camera and the Honokaʻa People’s 58 Theatre will be used as the courtesy site. A Zoom link will be in the next meeting 59 announcement. The meeting will be recorded, not live-streamed. Recordings will be posted 60 to Facebook or YouTube within a day of the meeting. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 no. 61 3. Subcommittee Report Back to Action Committee: 62 • Waipiʻo Wahi Pana – Report given by Action Committee member Brad Kurokawa. He 63 explained that the subcommittee met with Councilmember Heather Kimball on Monday, 64 November 14th, 2022, who provided a brief history of Waipiʻo’s management attempts 65 that began in the 1990s with Friends of the Future and Waipiʻo Circle; leases ran for 20-66 years at that time. Informational signs and education officers came out of that work and 67 there was high visitor impact. Former Councilmember Valerie Pointedexter got involved 68 when she was in office in the 2000s, as well as Kamehameha School, The Department of 69 Land & Natural Resources (DLNR), the County of Hawaiʻi and local farmers. During that 70 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3 time, there was a bill to ban pedestrians and community members wanted action. The 71 community also did not favor The Hawaii Visitor Bureau’s effort. He explained that a 72 Steering committee was eventually organized and in February 2022 an Emergency 73 Proclamation was issued and a lawsuit was filed. A later revised proclamation was issued 74 after mediation, in which the outcome opened the Waipiʻo road; the mayor created and 75 led 2 advisory committees: 1. To deal with the road and 2. To oversee the long term plan. 76 Overall, mistakes were made along the way and some organizations were biased towards 77 visitors. The hope now is for community input and a more thorough process. The goal is 78 for the Action Committee and Waipiʻo Wahi Pana Subcommittee to assist from a zoning 79 standpoint and gain community input. This will allow transparency and for the 80 community to have a voice in the process. 81 Action Committee member Nishimoto asked if he could hear from community on what 82 the definition of Wahi Pana was. (Vice-Chair Hubbard reference page 73 of CDP section 83 4.9.2 Waipiʻo Valley as Wahi Pana). 84 • Housing Subcommittee Report- This report was skipped at this time. 85 At this time, the Action Committee considered Public Comment on this item. 86 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: 87 Three (3) members of the public provided oral testimony. 88 1. Community member Lei Brown, representing herself, testified on Agenda item #3. She 89 shared a recap of her position that she does not want to pursue destination 90 management. She shared how a previous community group defined Wahi Pana without 91 government agency involvement, a copy of which was provided to Heather Kimball. She 92 thought inviting Kupuna to come share what Wahi Pana means to them in the future 93 would be a good idea. She reiterated how stewarding the valley is a commitment, that it 94 is a place sustained by the aina’s pulse and that it would be managed in that same 95 respect. 96 2. Community member Mahealani Makui, representing herself, testified on Agenda item #3. 97 She shared that the definition of Wahi Pana is “Legendary Place.” 98 3. Community member Keith Tallet, representing himself, testified on Agenda item #3. He 99 shared that the ocean community wants to be a part of the Wahi Pana conversations and 100 looks forward to inclusiveness. The group will advocate for the right to access the ocean 101 there. 102 Discussion continued: Action Committee member Kua asked Action Committee member 103 Kurokawa what role the Action Committee will take and if the goal is to bring the groups 104 together here or direct them to Councilmember Heather Kimball or Mayor Mitch Roth? 105 Discussion mentioned an upcoming steering committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 106 November 22, 2022, with Councilmember Kimball. More information will be provided after that. 107 Community member Brown will relay the Zoom link to Action Committee member Kurokawa. 108 Community member Brown shared that they look forward to an inclusive process, but that it 109 should be exclusive to those with experiential and lineal connections to Waipiʻo. She likened 110 Waipiʻo to a Royal Mausoleum and thus it should have an elevated status of protection. People 111 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 4 should not be allowed to wander around a cemetery; even with access to the beach a lot of 112 Heiau’s are traversed. She believes people need to understand the protocols and stewardship. 113 A question was asked who is facilitating the next steering committee meeting. The 114 subcommittee discussed their next steps in working on Wahi Pana and not destination 115 management. They described tasks involving looking at Zoning, Framework, and plan execution 116 within the CDP. 117 Community member Brown suggested that the subcommittee needed legal counsel, but that 118 there was conflict of interest with one of the recommended attorneys due to the Waipiʻo 119 lawsuit. Deputy Corporation Counsel Tiapula could provide a list of others who work pro bono. 120 Counsel was asked why Councilmember Kimball cannot use county legal representation to get 121 quicker responses since this is a community led effort now. 122 Action Committee member Kurokawa acknowledged that even the terms such as scenic corridor 123 would need those management strategies put into code to protect them so that is work that can 124 be done. 125 5. Discussion on Action Committee Communication to the Public: 126 This report was skipped at this time. 127 6. Action Committee Project Prioritization Discussion: 128 This report was skipped at this time. 129 7. Status on All Action Committees Discussion: 130 This report was skipped at this time. 131 COMMUNICATIONS: 132 8. Communication No. 2022-19 Brad Kurokawa Letter to the Planning Director Regarding 133 Zoning and Subdivision Code Update Engagement: Action Committee member Kurokawa 134 discussed his Letter to the Planning Director regarding the zoning code changes and the 135 Planning Departmentʻs response. He stated how the Planning Department assured him that 136 there will be interaction with the Action Committees throughout the process. He stated that 137 the online open house was ending soon. Action Committee member Pollard encouraged 138 signing up for the alerts on this topic online. 139 9. Communication No. 2022-21 Planner Heather Bartlett’s Email Response to Hāmākua Action 140 Committee Chair Tawn Keeney Answering Questions Related to Action Committee Meetings: 141 This item was skipped. 142 10. Communication No. 2022-23 Planning Department Community Planning Newsletter: This 143 item was skipped. 144 11. Communication No. 2021-02 Hāmākua Action Committee Community Group Network Map: 145 This item was skipped. 146 12. Communication No. 2022-24 Hāmākua CDP Community Implementation Action Matrix: This 147 item was skipped. 148 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 5 13. Communication No., 2022-25 Kohala Mountain News September 2022: This item was 149 skipped. 150 14. Communication No. 2022-26 North Kohala Advisory Group Mission Statement: This item 151 was skipped. 152 15. Communication No. 2022-20 Chuck Flaherty Article t the Sierra Club Regarding Planning 153 Department Practices: This item was skipped. 154 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 155 The Action Committee skipped this item. Approval for the October 18th meeting minutes will 156 take place at the December meeting. 157 158 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: December 20, 2022, at the Honokaʻa People’s 159 Theatre. *Please note, this meeting will be a hybrid meeting and will include a Zoom option. 160 1. Subcommittee Report Back to the Action Committee 161 a. Waipi‘o Wahi Pana 162 b. Housing Subcommittee- possibly invite a speaker for presentation 163 2. Planning Department Presentation on Permitted Uses – To include permitted areas 164 zoned for agricultural and residential along the Hāmākua Coast, as well as enforcement. 165 3. Action on Sidewalk Support – Community member Richard Bidleman’s written testimony 166 submitted prior to the November 15th Action Committee meeting. 167 4. Fire Department Presentation on Fire Prevention 168 5. Department of Water Supply Presentation – Discussion centered around water meter 169 placement corresponding to the CDP. 170 6. Noʻeau Peralto from huiMAU Presentation 171 ADJOURNMENT: 172 Action Committee member Crystal Kua moved to adjourn the meeting. A seconded motion was 173 not documented. The meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm. 174 This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 175 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 176 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 177 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 178 COMMUNITY PLANNING NEWSLETTER Nov. 2022 Mahalo for reading our Community Planning newsletter! This newsletter is intended to highlight active community planning efforts in our Department and across the island. We hope to continue promoting these ongoing efforts by providing visibility for initiatives that support positive future growth of our County. We look forward to ourcontinued collaboration, as we imagine a future rooted in love for our ‘āina and our people. Hawai‘i Island Resilience Hub Mapping Initiative Phase I Resilience Hubs Phase II Resilience Hubs Vibrant Hawai’i Resilience Hubs were first launched in 2019 as a response to COVID-19 to build human and social relationships and develop resilient communities. You can find Resiliency Hubs around the island that provide opportunities to participate and support your community. The Vibrant Hawai‘i website also includes a variety of resources, meeting events, and topic- based streams where you can learn more about how to get involved in the issues you care most about. Kaʻū Dream Purpose is to honor the authenticity and traditions of Kaʻū, while building a resilient community. Their model includes hands-on learning opportunities, workforce development, celebration of arts and culture, agriculture-based economic development, infrastructure advocacy, career pathways, and more. Check out their website for more information and join their mailing list to be informed on upcoming events and ways to participate. Kau CDP Policy 19, 125, 136, 146 WHAT ’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY? Vibrant Hawai‘i [vibranthawaii.org] Ka’ū Dream [kaudream.org] Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU) “Committed to cultivating kīpuka (safe, regenerative spaces) that foster and regenerate the growth of place- based ancestral knowledge, healthy food-and eco- systems, and strong ‘ohana with the capacity to live and thrive in Hāmākua for generations.” Check out their website to learn more about their youth after-school and summer educational programs, along with other community events and activities. Pictured: the ʻUmi-a-Līloa Mural Project at the Paʻauilo Elementary & Middle School self-sustainability. Revitalize Puna Created in response to the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption, these events are community activations that bring County & Puna residents together. Join their mailing list to get notified about their next quarterly event Paint Pāhoa Town Painting will continue through December 2022 Revitalize Puna [recovery.hawaiicounty.gov] Volunteer to Paint or Donate [bit.ly/paintpahoa] Shoreline Pursuit: Analysis to Establish Research-based Shoreline and Riparian Setback Amendments Purpose of this multi-phase project is to analyze coastal and riparian areas in order to adopt more effective adaptation and mitigation policies. With a genesis in Hāmākua, the project has broadened across the island thanks to multi-sector partnerships and funding sources. Outcomes will result in more effective coastal zone management tools, including targeted setback strategies and protective regulations as well as deeper understanding of our varied, beautiful and ever-changing coastal landforms. Planner: Kevin Sullivan, AICP State and County partnerships to facilitate place-based shoreline management strategies: Hāmākua CDP – Policy 18, 20, 40; Kona CDP - LU-1.5&1.6, ENV-1.7; Ka'u CDP - Policy 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31 County Profiles Storymap [https://arcg.is/1H8K9q] Hāmākua CDP –Community Objectives 4, 8, 11, 12 HuiMAU Website [alaulili.com] South Kohala Coastal Partnership (SKCP) A collaboration of various community groups and organizations working to restore a healthy, abundant, and resilient South Kohala coastal system. There are several ways to get involved from tree planting events to beach clean-ups. Malama the ‘āina, learn, and have fun while you do it! SKCP Website [southkohalacoastalpartners.com] South Kohala CDP: General Policy 5, Kawaihae Policy 3, Puakō Policy 3 Keaukaha Quick Build Project The Planning Department collaborated with community organizations, artists and volunteers to install a “Quick Build” Project near Keaukaha Elementary School. The main goal was to improve the health, safety and happiness of residents and students by reconfiguring existing areas with Complete Streets management, including safe places to walk and bike. Planner: Natasha Soriano Kona Open Space Network (KOSN) The KOSN planning effort will be kicking off soon. It is intended to identify opportunities for residents to engage in natural, recreational, educational, subsistence, and gathering activities. Planner: Natasha Soriano Join our Kona CDP mailing list to be informed about upcoming opportunities to participate! KCDP Mailing List [vision.hawaiicounty.gov] Kona CDP -Policy ENV-2.1, 3.1, 3.2; CR-1.1(2); PUB-6.4 Register for Free [partnersincareoahu.org] Volunteers are needed for the January 2023 Point-in-Time Count. The Point-In-Time Count (PIT) provides an estimate of homelessness on a specific night during the last ten days of January each year. Volunteers canvass the island and are paired with professional service providers and advocates who work with the homeless. There are two shifts; morning and afternoon. Learn first-hand about why people are homeless by volunteering to be a canvasser. For more information contact: Carrie Ho‘opi‘i at choopii@hopeserviceshaawaii.org. Hawai‘i Island Housing Coalition [Vibrant Hawai‘i] The Annual Statewide Homelessness Awareness and Housing Solutions conference is being held from November 15-19. “We can’t do housing first without housing first!” A public forum is being hosted on Nov 15 from 4-6pm at the Imiloa Astronomy Center KeaukahaQuick Build Video [https://vimeo.com/733805542] Puna Wastewater Feasibility Study The County of Hawai‘i, Department of Environmental Management is evaluating the feasibility of and potential locations for the addition of wastewater services and facilities for the Puna District in the context of the Kīlauea Eruption Recovery planning process. Project Coordinator: Kelly Hartman Puna Wastewater Storymap [https://arcg.is/1Oj4bW1] Stay ConnectedCounty of Hawai‘i Planning DepartmentCommunity Planning Website: hawaiicounty.gov/vision If you are interested in being featured in our Community Planning Newsletter, please feel free to contact us at cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. We’d love to hear from you! Hawai’i County Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) Professionally trained FEC Counselors provide free one-on-one financial counseling for their clients, helping to navigate complex financial challenges and choices around: •Taking control of debt •Improving credit •Building savings •Creating and sticking to a budget •Finding safe and affordable financial products •Connection to other services based on your needs Hawai‘i County has partnered with Hawaiian Community Assets and Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union to provide this free service Community Development Plan Action Committees County of Hawai‘i Zoning & Subdivision Codes Update The County of Hawai'i is initiating a process to analyze, update, and amend the Zoning & Subdivision Codes (Chapters 25 and 23) of the 1983 Hawai'i County Code. The purpose of the update is to implement the general plan and community development plans, provide for more predictability, increase consistency, incorporate best practices in land use and zoning, promote desirable and equitable development, and meet the needs of the Hawai'i Island community. Check out the website to participate in our Virtual Open House through Sunday, Nov 13th: Code Update Website [cohcodeupdate.com] CDP Website [hawaiicounty.gov/vision] The Hāmākua, Ka’ū, and South Kohala Action Committee members have hosted their own official meetings. Action Committees serve their communities through grass-roots efforts to implement Community Development Plans (CDPs). Check out the CDP website and sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date Office of Housing and Community Development Website[https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/office-of-housing/] Communication No. 2022-27 Page 1 Action Committee Subcommittee Guidance Given recent, increased focus on using subcommittees for Action Committee implementation projects, we compiled the following guide to help you organize your work. Remember these are only suggestions to help you move forward and can be adapted to fit the needs and scope of your project. This is a guide to initiatives inspired by the CDP or coordinated by the CDP Action Committee. Though some steps naturally come before others, many can be pursued simultaneously. Subcommittees as a “Permitted Interaction Group” per Sunshine Law The Sunshine Law provides some specific guidance for the creation of subcommittees, which requires a minimum of 3 separate meetings as noted below: • AC members on a subcommittee must be less than a quorum (4 AC max) but can include any number of outside community members. • The scope of the subcommittee must be defined at an AC meeting (1st meeting). • The subcommittee may choose to update the AC as many times as needed prior to presenting the final recommendations. • Subcommittee findings and recommendations are presented at a subsequent or 2nd meeting. • If action is desired from the deliberation and decision-making must occur at a 3rd (or later) meeting. This gives the AC and the public time to digest findings before a decision is made. A Network Approach It is important to keep in mind that a network approach to community-based, collaborative resource management can be most effective and efficient. In contrast to centralized, hierarchical, bureaucratic organization, networks are more informal, flexible, and decentralized. Efficiency is enhanced through distributed power and problem-solving, and effectiveness is improved through autonomous but coordinated action. Networks are not about control – they are about value-added coordination and communication. Ideas and Guidance Take from here what is helpful… add, change, or disregard items in this list as you please. Remember: this is your project, and you can design it as it suits you! *Note: The Ka'ū and Hāmākua CDPs have Community Action Guides. It is highly recommended that you look through these for inspiration/direction (that includes other ACs who can adapt these ideas to your project!) Step 1. Establish a Topic of Interest, or Focus a. Decide if your interest is specific enough or if you would like to further define that focus through a group process. b. For Place-Based Initiatives: i. Clarify the site(s) that will be the focus, relative to regional priorities for protecting and/or managing specific resources and areas. ii. Choose an appropriate scale – neighborhood, street, parcel, or a watershed, forest, forest/agriculture interface, riparian corridor, trail corridor, section of coastline, parcels, sites (cultural, recreational), etc. iii. Maintain an ahupua‘a-based perspective and focus, as appropriate. Communication No. 2022-27 Page 2 Step 2. Get Organized a. Establish a small, core group of people who: i. Understand and are passionate about the issue. ii. Are able to work with the diversity of people who want to be involved. iii. Can identify the role of local, state, and federal government agencies. iv. Are committed to putting the necessary time in. b. Create a plan to engage a larger group that has a clear purpose (to educate, gather feedback, build support, etc.). c. Identify your group’s place and role within existing community-based, collaborative initiatives. Step 3. Firmly Ground the Effort in the Community a. Ground the program in the cultural context of your area of focus. b. Be open, transparent, and inclusive of a range of different perspectives. c. Consistently seek greater public involvement. d. Cultivate community ownership. Step 4. Strengthen Collaboration and Coordination a. Identify the full range of stakeholders – those individuals, families, groups, organizations, and agencies who have a “stake” in your program, whether you agree with them about everything or not. b. Invite stakeholders to get involved or collaborate i. Start with local groups. ii. Engage other partners, like nonprofits. iii. Embrace agency support. iv. Identify a community ombudsman or liaison to government. Step 5. Craft a Strategic, Achievable Plan - The subtasks with lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, …) are merely examples and can vary greatly based on the specific project. a. Establish a clear vision like what the community wants in the future as it pertains to the project or activity. b. Collect information like review historical and current conditions, including current activities, threats, obstacles, available resources, and opportunities. c. Establish a clear understanding of the root causes of the threats to resources, including socio-economic factors. d. Set goals and objectives to achieve the vision, which could include ideas like the following: i. Document, preserve, and perpetuate traditional management knowledge and practice. ii. Advance knowledge and understanding, supporting, and supplementing scientific research with traditional knowledge. iii. Promote inter-generational exchange, providing opportunities for kupuna to share their knowledge and wisdom and for youth to get involved. iv. Protect, restore, and maintain cultural, historic, ecological, trail, and recreational resources. Communication No. 2022-27 Page 3 v. Identify preferred access trail/road corridors and alignments. vi. Increase local access to cultural, natural, scenic, subsistence, and recreational resources. vii. End misuse of resources from overharvesting, illegal ATV use, invasive species, unsanitary waste disposal, etc. e. Identify the range of strategies that could be pursued to achieve objectives, possibly including: i. Make resource preservation recommendations to other community-based resource management groups as well as to Federal, State, and local decision- makers. ii. Organize oral history or videography projects. iii. Seek formal designations for appropriate sites, including registration on the state or federal historic register or designation as an official State or Federal trail. iv. Acquire high-value sites that are privately-owned, either fee simple or by easement (ex: PONC nomination). v. Identify appropriate uses of natural and cultural resources and sites to perpetuate Hawaiian and local culture. vi. Participate in planning activities hosted by other agencies, provide feedback from your CDP, raise awareness, and create space for collaborative efforts. vii. Gather community feedback on an issue to compile and report to decision makers viii. Track/monitor CDP implementation, identify where things are being done and not done. ix. Collaborate with relevant departments to draft a Financial Impact Statement (FIS) for inclusion of a project in the County Capital Improvement Program Budget. x. Advocate through education (for example the Puna ACs “Building in Puna” brochure). xi. Raise awareness through information, education, and outreach activities. xii. Host or join volunteer projects (e.g., maintenance, restoration, cleanups, etc.). xiii. Host cultural and educational events. xiv. Establish demonstration projects. xv. Hold fundraisers. f. Identify and prioritize preferred strategies. g. Develop a detailed work plan of activities, including action steps, timeline, responsible party, and resources needed and available. h. Develop a project budget. i. Identify necessary resources (money, expertise, connections, equipment, etc.) and come up with a plan to cover these needs. i. Fundraisers. ii. Grant opportunities. iii. Leverage the skillsets, networks, and strengths of your group members. iv. Query your group for equipment needs (i.e. “does anyone in our network have an ArcGIS license, a good laptop, a projector screen, etc.”). v. Are there decisionmakers or topic experts we may want to bring into the fold (Councilmembers or other elected officials, agency heads, university student/researcher, etc)? j. Identify funding and other resources to support plan implementation. Communication No. 2022-27 Page 4 Step 6. Establish a Structure Tailored to the Partners and the Goals (i.e., form follows function) a. Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and accountability among partners and supporters, taking care to align strengths and roles. i. Ex: A group chair (or establish a networked leadership approach), points of contact for various stakeholders or other allies, a secretary, group members responsible for a particular aspect of the project, etc. Step 7. Build Capacity a. Secure assistance and resources. i. Leverage partnerships, affiliations, and funding. ii. Secure financial and other resources. b. Create sustainable organizational and leadership systems. Step 8. Implement the Plan a. Remain flexible, allowing for improvements in techniques and for shifts in approaches as conditions change. b. Report back to the AC along the way providing updates or identifying roadblocks. c. Document the process and outcomes. Frequently Asked Questions: Q. How do I create a subcommittee? A. First notify the chair of your idea, so they put it on the next meeting agenda. You can create a subcommittee at a regular AC meeting by proposing your topic, ideally via a motion: “I move to create a subcommittee…” you would follow that initial language with the subcommittee scope/purpose: “to draft a PONC nomination for shoreline parcel x.” Your subcommittee scope could be simple, “I move to create a subcommittee to put together a project plan to protect the shoreline parcel x.”. The discussion to follow could involve refining/broadening the scope (and should include identifying up to 4 AC members to serve on it) but the key point here is that your subcommittee purpose could be as broad as identifying a topic you’re passionate about and creating a hui to define the next steps. Q. Can a community member be on a subcommittee? A. Yes and you can include as many community members as desired - they do not count toward the 4 members limit that AC members have. Q. Do community members need to be identified as subcommittee members during an AC meeting? A. Not necessarily. It is up to you if you want to identify specific community members as subcommittee members at an AC meeting. Know that you do not have to wait for an AC meeting to add community members to your subcommittee or invite them into your process. Q. Do we need to elect a chair? Could a community member serve as chair? A. Not necessarily. How you decide to organize your group is completely up to you, and yes, a community member could be a subcommittee chair. Q. Can our subcommittee fundraise? Can we apply for grants? A. , There are some caveats to be aware of based on the AC’s affiliation with the County. So, please contact staff to discuss this further if your project requires funding. Communication No. 2022-27 Page 5 Q. Are subcommittee members able to contact each other outside of regular AC meetings? A. Yes! And that is a major reason why you may want to make one. You can talk over email, Zoom, phone calls, texts, go out for coffee together, etc. If you want to collaborate with other outside groups by attending their meetings, that’s fine as well. The point of caution would be to keep your communications on topic and don’t talk about Action Committee business outside of the scope of your project. Q. Do we have to follow Sunshine Law (like posting agendas, minutes, etc)? A. Nope! But it is recommended to keep some notes of your meetings. Q. Does that mean we don’t have to include members of the public? A. We certainly encourage you to be as open, transparent, and inclusive as possible! However, we also understand the need to workshop in small group settings, especially while you find your footing at the beginning of your project. Your meetings do not have to be public, the products your subcommittee creates however will be once presented to the full AC. Q. Are we allowed to collaborate with other groups, reach out to County officials, or host public meetings? A. Yes to all of the above! There is nothing in our rules that prevent you from engaging with outside groups and the community around you, in fact we encourage you to reach out and build a network around your project! Our only request is that you share any publications (flyers, letters, reports, etc.) produced by your subcommittee so that we can add them to our public records for transparency. We can also send them out to our electronic email lists as needed. Q. Can I loop in an AC member who is not in the subcommittee? Our AC chair is not on the subcommittee, should I keep them informed? A. Any updates to other AC members, including the chair, that are not in the subcommittee, must only take place at a regular AC meeting and noted on the agenda. Updates outside an AC meeting are not permitted. Q. I think I understand the rules, however I’m still worried about doing something that “crosses the line” and creates a problem either with Sunshine Law or County rules, etc. What exactly do I need to be careful of? A. At a basic level… 1) Don’t discuss your subcommittee business with AC members who are not on your subcommittee; 2) Don’t discuss AC business that is outside of the topic/scope of your subcommittee; and 3) Don’t claim that your subcommittee represents or speaks on behalf of the Planning Department or your AC. In Conclusion While we have tried our best to cover the basics in this guide, but there will likely be other questions that pop up as you go. Please feel free to contact our CDP Team for assistance. We are available to help you brainstorm directions for your project, connect you with stakeholders and officials (as applicable), and provide advice for you along the way. With all this in mind, good luck… imua… and plan on! Communication No. 2022-28 DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR JADE T. BUTAY DIRECTOR HIGHWAY DESIGN BRANCH, ROOM 688A BRIDGE DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 611 CADASTRAL DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 600 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 688A HIGHWAY DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 609 HYDRAULIC DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 636 TECHNICAL DESIGN SECTION, ROOM 688 STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 601 KAMOKILA BOULEVARD KAPOLEI, HAWAII 96707 Deputy Directors ROSS M. HIGASHI EDUARDO P. MANGLALLAN DAVID J. RODRIGUEZ EDWIN H. SNIFFEN IN REPLY REFER TO: HWY-DS 2.9901 November 25, 2022 VIA EMAIL: hawaiiancelebration@hotmail.com Mr. Chad R. Walker Hakalua Neighborhood Watch Dear Mr. Walker: Subject: Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 Scoping and Pre-Assessment Consultation Hakalau Stream Bridge Rehabilitation Hakalau, Island of Hawaii, State of Hawaii Project No. BR-019-2(075) The Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division (HDOT) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is proposing the Hakalau Stream Bridge Rehabilitation project, located along Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) near Hilo on the Island of Hawaii. HDOT is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with HRS Chapter 343, Hawaii’s environmental impact statement law, to evaluate and disclose the project’s potential environmental impacts and identify any potential permitting requirements. At this time, we are seeking input on the project, as well as information related to any environmental, social, or economic concerns related to the project or project area. Please refer to the enclosed project location map. As a federally funded project, this project is considered a federal undertaking and must also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. FHWA anticipates preparation of a Categorical Exclusion in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 771.117 of Title 23 (23 CFR 771.117). Project Overview HDOT is proposing this project to bring the bridge into compliance with current safety standards, facilitate safe park use and access, as well as to allow for continued use of this vital transportation link. This project proposes the following improvements: • Remove or remediate lead contaminated soils around the bridge; • Rehabilitate the bridge’s deteriorating substructure; and • Upgrade the bridge railings. Communication No. 2022-28 Mr. Chad R. Walker HWY-DS 2.9901 November 25, 2022 Page 2 Hakalau Bridge was painted with lead-based paint that has contaminated the soil around the bridge extending into Hakalau Beach Park. Although the lead paint was removed from the bridge in 2000, remediation is needed for the surrounding areas beneath the bridge. Remediation may involve removal or encapsulation of lead contaminated soils or implementation of controls to prevent access to lead contaminated areas. Soil removal activities could disturb up to 24 inches of vegetation and topsoil. A combination of these solutions may be incorporated as an overall solution. The bridge’s substructure rehabilitation would be performed by replacing bridge steel bents with concrete bents (similar to Kolekole Bridge, another historic steel trestle bridge on the Hamakua Coast that has been previously reconstructed with concrete bents). Replacing the steel bents with concrete bents would allow the superstructure to remain largely intact with minimal repairs. The concrete bents would be installed using drilled shafts up to six feet in diameter. Refer to the enclosed figures for an illustration of a typical tower and bent at Hakalau Stream Bridge and a sketch of the proposed design. Bridge railings would be upgraded to meet current safety standards. During construction, a temporary trestle bridge may be used to support the drill rig for the drilled shafts. Best Management Practices will be implemented during construction to minimize the potential for impacts to water quality. HDOT is reaching out to you as well as other City, State, federal agencies, and the surrounding community to gather project input. We are interested in any information you may have related to the project, including any design concerns, as well as any environmental or social concerns within the project area. Also, we would like to know if you have any recent or upcoming projects planned in the area, or if there are any there are any specific permitting issues or considerations that you would like to bring to our attention. We would appreciate receiving such information in writing within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter. The information will assist us in preparing the Draft EA. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Project Manager, Ms. Holly Yuen, at (808) 692-7548, Technical Design Services Section, Design Branch, Highways Division or by email at holly.yuen@hawaii.gov. The project team looks forward to working with you, and greatly appreciates your participation. Sincerely, HENRY KENNEDY Acting Engineering Program Manager Design Branch, Highways Division Enclosures Communication No. 2022-28 Communication No. 2022-28 Communication No. 2022-28 Communication No. 2022-28 T T T T -! -[ ·.·. , ! I ·;i '• .• . . 't m L i" 1_, . i -:. 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Drilled h water Old Mill Pavement norma water ELEVATION Scale: /" = 40'-0" high water el. ±6.0 pavment -/40 -120 -/00 -BO -60 -40 -20 -0 --20 SHEET No. Sf.I OF c.J SHEETS ,!." d " i "" i .,. d i" "d ' I" "d ' i" , d i" "d ' i" "d ' i" S? d i" "d ' i" So! d i" Communication No. 2022-28 §· ....... I i i •ttel t i " Im 8: I ttt i i i I i Existing Superstructure to Remain Concrete Beam Typ. Typ. Drilled Shaft\ Cap, Typ. \ ----------------- Drilled Shaft ! I Typ. , ,,,-t_µ I I SECTION Scale: 3/32" = /'-0" FED.ROAD DIST.NO. FISCAL YEAR SHEET NO. TOTAL SHEETS HAWAII HAW. 2022 00 SHEET No. Sf.2 OF SHEETS Communication No. 2022-29 I have recently become chair of the Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee. I have several thoughts which I would like to address to your groups. In light of many recent changes to the CDP process it has been left to the CDP comittees themselves to take initiative and pick up where the county left off, from organizing our own district meetings to connecting our CDP groups islandwide. First, legal reference for our Hamakua Action Committee, Suzanna Tiapula from Corporation Counsel, has expressed concurrence with my understanding of Sunshine Law, that there are no restrictions in my addressing members of other Action Committees besides my own. This concurrence was expressed in our most recent Action Committee meeting. I am therefore addressing this letter to all Action Committee members except my own Hamakua Committee. I am registering it as written communication or submission in those meetings. Suzanna emphasized that the recipients of such a letter may not ‘Reply All’ or respond to it’s contents by continuing discussions that would include multiple members of their own Action Committee. This is only in so far as the content of that discussion might include potential agendized action items of that Committee. As you are all aware, the several Action Committees are in a period of transition. I take note of the wonderful emergence of the new Committee in Kau. We all wish them well in the important tasks ahead. South Kohala remains strong, as always, tackling many issues of vital importance to that district. Puna’s function has been largely subsumed by the disaster response group, though I have recently inquired whether they might soon reconvene as an Action Committee, meeting as such. Kona is about to reemerge as a vigorous committee, with its first meeting since May scheduled for Monday, December 19. Hamakua, in its brief lifespan of 3 years, is feeling invigorated, having emerged from the constraints of meeting on a 3 month schedule to now having productive monthly meetings. North Kohala has had change of status. They are now no longer an administratively official Action Committee but have transitioned to North Kohala Advisory Group. They continue to have close relationship with the Planning Department and function in many ways similar to the Action Committees. They select their own membership and apparently do not have the same constraints of Sunshine Law. Several months ago I had seen comments, in media and addressed personally, that the disengagement of the Planning Department from certain administrative relationships with the Action Committees would be a potentially crippling blow to the committees’ functioning. My view certainly differed. Heather Kimball, our councilperson, reassured our group, and I concurred, that Planning was stretched beyond their limit and while untethering the Action Committees, would present some challenges, ultimately it would be an empowering transition. Our liaison with Heather Bartlett and Elyse Stevens at Planning has remained steadfast and their access and support has been marvelous. Thus, I am only encouraged by all the above developments. I believe that it is axiomatic that, in the face of transition, it is necessary that there would be more robust communication. I understand the limitations of Sunshine Law and the opportunities and limitations provided by technological magic of Zoom. Within those limitations, I would propose that organizing a Zoom combined meeting of the five Action Committees plus the North Kohala Advisory Group would be empowering to our Communication No. 2022-29 functioning as individual district boards. Planning has emphasized that this transition should be seen as an empowerment. There are some topics for discussion which are common to us all. Planning had earlier emphasized the commonality of challenges throughout the several districts. Challenges in housing, infrastructure, natural systems degradation, these are problems we all share. An understanding of the deficiencies in the zoning, subdivision and building Code that have necessitated its revision, might allow the Action Committees to participate more meaningfully in the process of its re- envisioning. Undoubtedly, there are many challenges which are common to us all which could be considered as agenda by a preliminary meeting among the Committee chairs. With the opportunity for renewed invigoration which has been bestowed upon us by Planning, the mere activity of accomplishing a Combined meeting would encourage our potential as Action Committees. I propose that each Action Committee consider how to best organize, perhaps through their chair, a combined Action Committee meeting. I have sent this as communication to your Action Committee, but also as a letter to each member and to the Planning Department. We need to recognize Planning as a most important partner in exploring how we can guide each of our districts and the island as a whole into a mutual and desired future. Mahalo for your consideration, Tawn Keeney MD County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.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 December 13, 2022 State of Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi 1390 Miller St. Honolulu, HI 96813 CC: Councilmember Heather Kimball, Chairperson DLNR Suzanne Case Dear Superintendent Hayashi, The Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action Committee (AC) is writing to request your support and action in turning over the abandoned Hakalau School for revitalization and long-term community use. The community’s vision is to utilize Hakalau School as a community hub and learning center where classes relevant to community residents are provided; community gatherings and events are held. Hakalau School served as not only the area’s school but as the district’s social and athletic center until its closing in 1972. Hilo High School ran the Lanakila Learning Center, a successful alternative program at the school for several years until 2013. (Contact Wendy Hamane) Since then the facility which consists of a classroom building and a woodworking shop and grounds have deteriorated. Incidentally, the Department of Education (DOE) installed a new EPA compliant septic sewer system in the early 2000s at a cost of $450K+. Hakalau School, a unique and beloved part of the community could continue to deteriorate and become overgrown without the monthly 2nd Sunday community volunteer maintenance effort. Instead, the school could and should once again become a valued community asset. Its future has and is currently still mired in an internal stalemate between the DOE and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). DOE currently holds the lease under Executive Order No. 257 and desires to return it to DLNR. DLNR requires the DOE to mitigate hazardous material (i.e. lead paint) before turning the school back to DLNR. Understandably, this mitigation work (an assessment report has been completed) is low on DOE’s priority compared to active schools. Meanwhile, since April of 2015 until now. seven plus years, a committed group of volunteers under the direction of Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community (WVHPC), a well- established locally based community 501c-3 non-profit organization has steadily cleared and maintained the grounds around the school buildings monthly, as previously mentioned. These volunteers have contributed a total of 3312 hours (at $10/hr. = $33,120 in volunteer labor). On top of that which does not include advocacy, volunteer coordination, meeting, and negotiations, Communication No. 2022-30 Mr. Keith Hayashi, Superintendent State of Hawaii Department of Education December 13, 2022 Page 3 WVHPC has invested $23,520 on liability insurance with the DOE named as additional insured; restored electrical service and improved security, equipment and food for volunteer work sessions. For several years DOE provided WVHPC limited use permits for access to the classroom building and grounds. Since 2020 the use permit has not been renewed. WVHPC has demonstrated its commitment to Hakalau School’s revitalization and rebirth. The HCDP adopted by Ordinance No. 2018-78 specifically calls for 5.13.3 Kokua Action 63 from State of Hawaii (page 92): “Coordinate with the Hakalau community to pursue the redevelopment and community management options for the old Hakalau School property.” Hawaii DOE Administrative Rules 8-39-1 General Rule states: “All public school buildings, facilities, and grounds shall be available for general recreational purposes and for public and community use whenever these activities do not interfere with the normal and usual activities of the school and its pupils as provided by law. This general rule shall be carried out within the policy of the department of education that no available public school building, facility, or grounds shall be denied for use by the public and community on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.” Historic Hawaii Foundation (HHF) Executive Kiersten Faulkner in a February 18, 2021 letter to the State Legislature offered that organization’s support and cited other successful examples of historic preservation and government/community non-profit partnerships. An excerpt from that letter states: “Historic Hawaii Foundation strongly supports the preservation and contemporary use of historic properties in a way that honors their historic significance and engages community members… We note that similar community partnerships were used to save the Waimea Elementary School N (now the Isaacs Art Center in Kamuela on Hawai‘i Island), the Hanalei Elementary School (now a retail and restaurant hub on Kauai) and the Kaupō School (being repurposed as a community center and emergency shelter on Maui). Each of these projects took an abandoned facility no longer needed or wanted by the Departments of Education or Land & Natural Resources and converted them to special places of community significance. We recommend that Hakalau be given the same opportunity. “ The recent Covid pandemic and ongoing situations like hurricane and other natural disaster potential underscore the need for community-based resilience and preparedness. Hakalau School could serve as a community response site for these situations. Creative partnerships between government and community can be a source for inspired community wellbeing. It is in this light that the HCDP AC respectfully request that you assist our community by working to find an effective and timely way to provide full- and long-term use of Hakalau School for community use. Sincerely, Hāmākua Community Development Action Committee Tawn Keeney, HCDP AC Chairperson Nicolette Hubbard, HCDP AC Vice Chairperson Carol Ignacio Desiree Moana Cruz Communication No. 2022-30 Mr. Keith Hayashi, Superintendent State of Hawaii Department of Education December 13, 2022 Page 3 Crystal Kua Rhonda Pollard Robert Nishimoto Brad Kurokawa Communication No. 2022-30 Communication No. 2022-31 INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (CDP) ACTION COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETINGS An excellent opportunity for participation in the shaping of Hāmākua’s future is available through participation in the Hāmākua Community Development Plan Action Committee meetings via Zoom access or in Person. The Hāmākua CDP Action Committee, a County Board being administered by the Planning Department, was formed two years ago but has been constrained within the context of Covid and a Planning Department whose personnel resources have been stretched beyond its ability to support a vigorous committee. With Planning’s transfer of most organizational and agenda functions to the Committee itself, the Action Committee has assumed a more vigorous and proactive role in addressing issues which are important to the communities of Hāmākua. We have recently moved from meeting every 3 months to a monthly meeting schedule. With Planning’s support, we are making community participation through the Zoom medium available. During the current chairmanship of Tawn Keeney, lasting through 2023, the physical meeting site will be at the Honokaʻa People’s Theatre. The meetings are usually scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM. By accessing this link (https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community- planning/cdp/hamakua) you can sign up for our email list and download a copy of the Hāmākua CDP. This document was ratified as County Ordinance by the County Council in 2018. It was developed by a select group of Hāmākua community members over a 7-year commitment to community outreach. It distills from many thousands of responses, from your neighbors up and down the coast, a vision of Hāmākua as we would like to see it and a pathway forward. It is that vision which the Action Committee is entrusted to actualize. At least one week before each upcoming Action Committee meeting, Planning staff will send the agenda and other meeting information to the email list. Members of the community are encouraged to provide oral or written testimony to the Action Committee (comments may be limited to 3 minutes). To do so, please contact Planning Department staff at cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. Note that written testimony or communications must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to a meeting for it to be included in the meeting packet. Your participation in envisioning and realizing Hāmākua’s potential as outlined in the Community Development Plan is very much desired by the county government and our Hāmākua Action Committee. By working together, we can shape the future that we most desire in our beloved Hāmākua. With aloha, Tawn Keeney, Chair of the Hāmākua Action Committee