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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-21 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, March 21, 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/vJItcOGgrDgiHG266- G3o3BuG4LnJGtJI-E 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 Street Honokaʻa, Hawaii 96727 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Page2 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Planning Department is currently seeking applicants for the Hāmākua Action Committee. They are requesting assistance getting the word out to find interested community members. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website here: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-commissions-application 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, March 17, 2023, to the meeting (see the Notice Section below). APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: January 10, 2023 meeting. BUSINESS: 1. Presentation by Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and Hawaiʻi Energy: Representatives from Hawaiian Electric and Hawai'i Energy will share information about Hawai'i Powered, Integrated Grid Planning and Hawai'i Energy rebates and resources. 2. Hāmākua Action Committee Meeting Schedule Discussion: The Action Committee will discuss and create a meeting schedule for the remainder of 2023. 3. 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) o Lehua St. Subdivision (Honokaʻa) Infrastructure Subcommittee 4. Action Committee Project Discussion: Action Committee members will discuss priority implementation projects and interests. Action Committee members may create Permitted Interaction Groups (subcommittees) or community liaison groups, as applicable. Joint initiatives with community members or partner organizations are encouraged. Potential projects include but are not limited to: o Public Access, Open Space and Natural Cultural Resources (PONC) Subcommittee o Public Restroom on Mamane St. in Honokaʻa Subcommittee 5. Action Committee Community Outreach Strategy: The Action Committee will discuss and strategize how to increase meeting attendance and better engage with the Hāmākua community. COMMUNICATIONS: 6. Communication No. 2023-03 Public Access & Coastline Preservation Flyer - Toni Withington 7. Communication No. 2023-04 Hāmākua Agricultural Plan (2006) Page3 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov 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, January 10, 2023 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 5:03 P.M. This meeting was held at the Honokaʻa Peoples Theatre and online via 5 Zoom. Quorum was established at this meeting. 6 ROLL CALL 7 AC Members Present: Tawn Keeney, Niki Hubbard, Bob Nishimoto, Brad Kurokawa, Desiree 8 Moana Cruz (left early), Rhonda Pollard. 9 AC Members Absent-Excused: Carol Ignacio 10 County Officials: Deputy Corporation Counsel, Suzanna Tiapula (via Zoom). 11 Over 20 members of the community attended in person and between 22-26 attendees via Zoom. 12 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 13 Councilmember Heather Kimball reported to the Action Committee regarding several items: 14 1. Members of the long-term Waipiʻo Valley Steering Committee attended the meeting via 15 Zoom. They requested that Action Committee members attend the next meeting. Action 16 Committee Member Kurokawa will attend. 17 2. Pepeʻekeo access is currently being worked on. 18 3. Discussion around the parking situation for the Hāmākua Health Center in Honokaʻa. If 19 property from Honokaʻa Park were to be transferred over to the Hāmākua Health Center, 20 they would be able to build out their facility. 21 4. Councilmember Kimball shared the draft bill for Vacation Rentals that is currently in the 22 works. They are trying to create rules for hosted vacation rentals that are currently not 23 regulated. The previous Bill only addressed unhosted rentals. A major point in this draft 24 is that all structures need to be permitted. Though challenging for some, it is a safety 25 issue. She also mentioned that the fines are heavier in this draft. She discussed that 26 Council will have 6 public hearings regarding this issue; though it is not ready to be 27 introduced at this time. There is a video available online on YouTube. There is an 28 upcoming meeting on Friday, January 20 at 5:00pm via Zoom. 29 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2 30 For more information on the Hawaiʻi County TAR Draft Proposal, please go here: 31 https://www.hawaiicountytar.com/ 32 Other announcements: 33 • Vice-Chair Hubbard updated the Action Committee on the Laupāhoehoe Point. She 34 shared that the Beach Park was closed throughout December 2022 due to maintenance. 35 She commented that maintenance is complete and the Park is reopened. 36 • Vice-Chair Hubbard also shared on the Hakalau Bridge. She requested the community’s 37 input regarding repairs, as stated in the CDP relating to Infrastructure. She also 38 mentioned the Hakalau Neighborhood Watch as related to CDP Community Action 36. 39 • The County of Hawaiʻi Zoning & Subdivision Code Update: The Action Committee will not 40 hold its scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 due to Code Update Meetings 41 scheduled for January 17, 2023 in Hilo and Waimea and January 18, 2023 in Kona and 42 Pahala. 43 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 44 Vice-Chair Hubbard motioned to approve the October 18, 2022, minutes. Seconded by Action 45 Committee Member Bob Nishimoto. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 46 Vice-Chair Hubbard motioned to approve the November 15, 2022, minutes. Seconded by Action 47 Committee Member Bob Nishimoto. Motion passed with 6 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 48 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: 49 Four (4) members of the public provided oral testimony. 50 1. Community member Francine Roby, representing herself, testified on the urgent need to 51 discuss the recent storm’s impact on our communities. She expressed the need to 52 strengthen infrastructure, as stated in the CDP. She reiterated the need for preparation 53 with Neighborhood Watch and CERT ahead of time. 54 2. Community member, Dana Moss, representing Barbara Starth, owner of the Laulima 55 Store, testified on the Lehua subdivision development. She commented on her concern 56 over drainage and traffic impacts. 57 3. Community member, Chuck Flaherty, representing the Sierra Club, discussed his 58 participation during the Kona Action Committee meeting on January 10, 2023. He 59 summarized how the Action Committees struggle with their roles and responsibilities in 60 the context of the General Plan. 61 4. Community member, Cory Harden, representing herself, testified on Agenda Item #2. 62 She expressed her concern over the Planning Department’s reduced staff and the current 63 updates to the Zoning & Subdivision Code. She summarized her experience at the Code 64 Update Focus Group and her overall feeling that the community is not the central focus. 65 BUSINESS: 66 1. Subcommittee Report Back to Action Committee 67 Housing Subcommittee: 68 The Action Committee reviewed Vice-Chair Hubbard’s written report and then heard from 69 Guest Speaker, Patrick Hurney, the Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Hurney 70 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3 explained how Habitat for Humanity has not done many builds in Hāmākua but is always 71 looking for opportunities to build there. They built a home for a family that had a house fire, 72 and they do critical home repairs too; they operate across the world. They are a Christian 73 Housing ministry and have 5 organizations across the state. Their goal is to build Simple 74 Decent Homes for families with the qualification being between 30-80% of median income, 75 about 72k/year and below. They look at applicants’ levels of need, willingness to partner and 76 their ability to repay. Mr. Hurney discussed the process, including how Habitat Humanity 77 raises the money, selects a family, which leads to volunteers and and the family themselves 78 building the home. Habitat for Humanity sells the home to a family with no or low interest 79 mortgage, for no profit. Mortgage payments are then put back to the organization to build 80 more homes. He explained how there are 7 homes under construction across the island, 81 Puna (3), Kawaihae (3) and Ocean View (1). They are always in need of volunteers on 82 Saturdays; community may register online. He elaborated how they obtain funding from 83 various sources and are always looking for property. 84 Vice-Chair Hubbard asked how they identify good properties? Mr. Hurney shared that if the 85 family already owns a property, they should apply. Lot donations also help, and they do buy 86 some parcels with HUD funding. 87 For more information on Habitat for Humanity, please go here: https://www.habitathawaiiisland.org/ 88 Waipiʻo Wahi Pana Subcommittee 89 Action Committee Member Kurokawa will attend the upcoming Waipiʻo Steering Committee 90 meeting and will report back to the Action Committee. 91 Community member Lei Brown restated that the CDP Action Committee subcommittee was 92 formed to see how work could be done, and to preserve and protect traditions there. She 93 discussed the December 2022 storm and how it impacted Waipiʻo Valley and as a result, 94 there were current enforcement issues – the community members are left to deal with 95 enforcement when emergency closures are in place. She also discussed the issue of how to 96 define “community”. She explained the concept of concentric rings – hale, kau hale, ili, 97 ahupua‘a in relation to community and the long-term management of Waipiʻo. 98 Community member Jim Cain, a farmer from Waipiʻo has resided there for over 35 years 99 mentioned how some take for granted the opportunity to sit with Kupuna who taught them 100 old ways. The values that guide their everyday actions. He described Wahi Pana and how 101 the dictionary states – a well-remembered, respected place. 102 There was a discussion on the necessary protocols and a hierarchy in Waipiʻo, as well as a 103 referenced chant that talks about its history that goes back centuries. The discussion echoed 104 that the Waipiʻo voice has to be front and center when decisions are being made but it was 105 noted that no one from Waipiʻo is on Hāmākua Action Committee. 106 Community member Ursala Chong, a resident of Waimea discussed how ‘ohana have leased 107 land to farm Kalo in Waipiʻo; they go down weekly. She shared 3 things: 1. She defined 108 community as a body of people that reside in an area with things in common, this definition 109 does not include tourists. When we live and gather as a community need to include them. 2. 110 She discussed the immediate concern of the Waipiʻo Road. The entrance already tells us 111 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 4 there is only a limited amount of people that can access that space. Only so many can go. 112 The land just speaks for itself. Once there, the caretakers are reminded that in Waipiʻo 113 things will happen because of the natural course of nature. As people who are the 114 caretakers, we need to take care. There should be Waipiʻo community representation on the 115 Action Committee so we can hear from them. 3. Action Committee – Steering committee- 116 Action Committee investigatory subcommittee. What are the roles and functions of each 117 committee? She asked for an update on what each is doing and questioned if everyone 118 collaborating? She concluded that the immediate concern is the Waipiʻo road followed by 119 future plans. 120 Action Committee member Nishimoto mentioned how he and Community member Cain 121 were in aqua culture class together, and Community member Cain taught him about being a 122 new member to Waipiʻo. He would be happy to allow a member of Waipiʻo to be on 123 committee. He expressed his gratitude to Hawaiian Culture that allows us to use this place. 124 He expressed his feelings around roots/culture. He explained “local style,” which he believes 125 is the true essence of Waipiʻo. It is respect and connectivity. We can all adopt this way of 126 life. Hawaiians don’t make it a point to imprint their culture on others. He offered to resign 127 from the Action Committee to allow someone from Waipiʻo take his place. Chair Keeney 128 reassured that there is still a vacant seat on the Action Committee. 129 Community member Lanakila Manguil from Honokaʻa, is an educator in the community, grew 130 up in Waipiʻo and has land responsibility there. He affirmed that Waipiʻo is a Wahi Pana. 131 Everyone loves this place passionately. If we are not willing to sit down and truly listen, then 132 what we have is division. He believes that Waipiʻo deserves better. We shouldn’t see people 133 vying to get voice in front. It is special for many. It took many to take care of it. What we 134 see of today is not the Waipiʻo of the past. Many more hands have worked together and 135 have allowed others to help. Let us all kākou together. We have to get together collectively, 136 rise to the occasion and also humble ourselves to have those conversations. 137 Community member Tisha Mahealani thanked everyone who spoke on behalf of Waipiʻo and 138 agreed with the previous statements. She expressed the need for leadership, but that 139 internal community should have the last say as to what happens to Waipiʻo. She encouraged 140 the Action Committee, the County and Administration to listen to the Waipiʻo community 141 members. We live there, we know Waipiʻo the best. She’s asking the Action Committee to 142 support their sentiments. She expressed that this community wouldn’t tell people in other 143 neighborhoods what to do, that’s their land they know what is best. 144 Community member Richard Bidleman, a resident of Honokaʻa has attended previous 145 meetings regarding Waipiʻo valley. He believes its a treasure and reiterated having someone 146 from the Waipiʻo community on the Action Committee. 147 Community member Jason Mockchew discussed the difficulty having others speak for the 148 Waipiʻo community. He brought up the division regarding Waipiʻo. He believes in following 149 their ancestors regarding the lookout. He believes in starting at the top and the rest will flow 150 down into the valley. He mentioned the need for more attention and the dangers of the 151 road. 152 2. Action Committee Project Prioritization Discussion153 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 5 Chair Keeney discussed creating more subcommittees within the Action Committee. He 154 believes that’s where most of the work takes place. Vice-Chair Hubbard offered that more 155 Action Committee members would allow for the creation of more subcommittees enabling 156 the Action Committee to do more work. She suggested that the mayor’s office could relay 157 how many new member applications are in process. 158 Lehua Street Infrastructure Subcommittee 159 Community member Bidleman asked for this to be explored. He believes that with upcoming 160 development, sidewalk infrastructure is needed. 161 Chair Keeney motioned to create a Lehua Street Infrastructure Subcommittee. Seconded by 162 Vice-Chair Hubbard. Motioned passed with 5 ayes, 0 nays. Action Committee member Cruz 163 had left early at this point. 164 Chair Keeney encouraged community members to bring forward any issues or needs with the 165 intention to create new subcommittees. 166 3. Action Committee Community Outreach Strategy 167 Chair Keeney asked the Action Committee how to increase community attendance. 168 Communication No. 2022-31 – Public Invitation for CDP Action Committee Access is the 169 initial introduction of the Action Committee to other entities. He explained the need to 170 interact with other Action Committee member community organizations to learn about their 171 needs and see how we can help. He believes that this communication will help and can also 172 be published in Hāmākua Times. 173 Please go here for Communication No. 2022-31 – Public Invitation for CDP Action Committee Access: 174 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/120338/Communication%20No.%202022-175 31%20Public%20Invitation%20for%20CDP%20Action%20Committee%20Access.pdf 176 4. Action Committee Support Letter for Hakalau School 177 Action Committee member Kurokawa shared the current stalemate between the 178 Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) and the Department of Education (DOE) 179 due to the mitigation of lead; therefore, the DOE won’t do it. Due to this, a local community 180 group has been maintaining the grounds. There was a question about nominating it for the 181 County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources program (PONC), which would 182 require more research. 183 Action Committee member Kurokawa motioned to approve the letter and to submit to 184 respected agencies. Seconded by Action Committee member Nishimoto. 185 Vice-Chair Hubbard questioned if it would be ok to submit the letter and then explore the 186 PONC initiative? Action Committee member Kurokawa agreed and mentioned that the 187 school could be used for community classes and a home base for disaster mitigation. 188 Motion passed with 5 ayes, 0 nays. 189 Please go here for Communication No. 2022-30 AC Letter of Support for Hakalau School: 190 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/120337/Communication%20No.%202022-191 30%20AC%20Letter%20of%20Support%20for%20Hakalau%20Bridge.v03.pdf 192 5. Status On All Action Committees Discussion 193 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 6 Chair Keeney is interested in the common issues shared by the Action Committees. 194 Community member Chuck Flaherty, representing himself, testified on Agenda Item #5. He 195 summarized the differences between the Hāmākua and Kona Community Development 196 Plans; each district is different. He mentioned the need for the current General Plan revision 197 to reference the CDPs and also suggested that the CDPs should be revised along with the 198 General Plan in a uniform structure. 199 Chair Keeney would like to send Communication No. 2022-29 Tawn Keeney Letter to all 200 Action Committees Regarding a Future Joint Action Committee Meeting to all Action 201 Committee members and is requesting that the Action Committees themselves organize and 202 facilitate a Joint Action Committee meeting. 203 Community member Flaherty discussed previous Joint Action Committee meetings. He also 204 mentioned that the Kona Action Committee approved a letter asking the Planning 205 Department for support and the legal clarification between the Action Committee and the 206 Planning Department; they need to move forward knowing what their kuleana is. 207 Action Committee member Kurokawa would like to see all the Action Committees together 208 and reiterated that the CDPs need an update. His mentioned that the Joint Action 209 Committee meetings are too prescribed by the Planning Department. That if we want to 210 address systemic issues we have to do so from the community and take on leadership, rather 211 than have the Planning Department orchestrate it. 212 Chair Keeney suggested he could reach out to the other Action Committees and see if they 213 want to get together. 214 Chair Keeney motioned to send the letter to all the Action Committees. Seconded by Action 215 Committee member Kurokawa. Motion did not pass with 4 ayes, 1 nay (Vice-Chair Hubbard). 216 Please note, 5 votes majority are required for a motion to pass. 217 Please go here for Communication No. 2022-29 – Tawn Keeney Letter to all ACs regarding Joint AC 218 Meetings 219 https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/120334/Communication%20No.%202022-220 29%20Tawn%20Keeney%20Letter%20to%20all%20ACs%20regarding%20Joing%20AC%20Meetings.p221 df 222 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: The January 17, 2023 Hāmākua Action 223 Committee Meeting will be cancelled due to the Zoning & Subdivision Code Update Open 224 Houses. The next Hāmākua Action Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 225 the Honokaʻa People’s Theatre. 226 1.Hawai‘i Electric Light Company (HELCO) Presentation227 ADJOURNMENT: 228 The meeting was adjourned at 7:32pm. 229 This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 230 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 231 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 232 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 233 Communication Number 2023-03 Hāmākua Agriculture Plan: Sustaining Rural Hāmākua Through Agriculture May 2006 Final Communication Number 2023-04 Plan is available online here: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showdocument? id=305973&t=638144089027407093 Communication Number 2023-05