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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-04 Windward Exh A (Item 1 Hawaiian Ola Brewing Corp PL-SMA-2022-000025) WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI`I HEARING TRANSCRIPT MAY 4, 2023 A regularly advertised hearing on the application of HAWAIIAN OLA BREWING CORPORATION (PL-SMA-2022-000025)was heard at 9:17 a.m. in the County of Hawaii Council Chambers in Hilo, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii with Chair Dennis Lin presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Dennis Lin, Louis Daniele III, Wayne De Luz, and Chantel Perrin. ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Lauren Balog. RECUSED: John Cross. ALSO PRESENT: Sinclair Salas-Ferguson Esq. (Counsel to the Commission), Suzanna Tiapula, Esq. (Counsel to the Planning Department), Zendo Kern (Planning Director), Jessica Andrews (Planner), Alex Roy (Planner), Christian Kay (Planner), Janice Hata(Zoom Host), Maija Jackson Planning Program Manager), and Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador (Commission Secretary). And four members from the public are in attendance. APPLICANT: HAWAIIAN OLA BREWING CORPORATION (PL-SMA-2022-000025) Application for a Special Management Area Use Permit to convert the existing Wainaku Executive Center into a micro-distillery, restaurant, and bar, and includes grading for new parking and the installation of a wastewater system to accommodate the new uses on 12.31 acres of land situated in the Special Management Area. The subject parcels are located along the makai side of Hawaii Belt Road, approximately 200 feet south of its intersection with Hau Street, Portion of Wailua& Mokuhonua, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMKs: (3) 2-6-015:001 & 002. Secretary's Note: [indecipherable] indicates that there were technical and/or internet difficulties, which made the conversation inaudible. LIN: Okay, we'll move on to unfinished business agenda Item No. 1 is applicant Hawaiian Ola Brewing Corporation, application number PL-SMA-2022-000025. Application for a Special Management Area Use Permit to convert the existing Wainaku Executive Center into a micro-distillery, restaurant, and bar, and includes grading for a new parking and the installation of a wastewater system to accommodate the new uses on 12.31 acres of land situated in the Special Management Area. The subject parcels are located along the makai side of Hawaii Belt Road, approximately 200 feet south of its intersection with Hau Street, Portion of Wailua and Mokuhonua, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK's (3) 2-6-015 parcels 001 and 002. At this time, I'd like to mention that Commissioner Cross has a conflict of interest. So,please Commissioner Cross if you could make a brief statement. I EXHIBIT A CROSS: Previous to my appointment to the Planning Commission, I have done work for Hawaiian Ola Brewing Corporation, and I assisted Na'ehalani Breeland and Brett Jacobson in the collection of evidence and data for their SMA and as a result I need to recuse myself. LIN: Thank you Commissioner Cross. If you could please step out for a little bit for this agenda item and then we will proceed with agenda Item No. 1. [At 9:18 a.m. Commissioner Cross left the Council Chambers] LIN: All righty, will the applicant or their representative please come forward. We already went over the staff presentation so, unless we need to go over it again. [indecipherable] Everybody was here, yeah. [Female from audience came up to the testifier table] LIN: Okay, I'll just swear you in again. If you'll please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the Windward Planning Commission? [Female from audience at the testifier table] I do. LIN: Okay, please speak directly into your microphone, state your name, the area you reside in and whom you represent. BREELAND: My name is Na'ehalani Breeland. I'm the President and Co-Founder of Ola Brew. I reside in Kailua-Kona and I'm with Hawaiian Ola Brewing Corporation, sorry. LIN: Okay and then you received the Background and Recommendations reports from the Planning Department and you agree with the recommendations? BREELAND: I do, yes. LIN: Okay, do you have any further statements that you want to make or any other comments? BREELAND: Justin addition to just the introduction to the project last month. I also wanted to address Terri Napeahi's comment about I think the essence of her concern was defining "traditional Hawaiian" and that was or"traditional Hawaiian practices" and that was from something that she read in the Tribune Herald about our project. Those weren't our words, and it wasn't something that we would have said. So, I just wanted to say that our intention and action plan will never be redefining Hawaiian traditions but rather to anchor and revere what was done in the past and honor that by truly caring for our `aina and building on the unique excellence and authenticity that we have here in Hilo as well as in the County of Hawai`i and Hawai`i as a whole. And to go on with that since our last hearing we have won six (6) international awards for not only our okolehao, the product that we want to make at Wainaku but also for our current products. We strive for this excellence not just for our company but for the benefit of our 2,800 community shareholders and for our stakeholders that are farmers and our contracting partners. 2 EXHIBIT A It's always our goal to create an environment where that kind of promotes that quote"the raising tide floats all boats"right. So, that's what this project is about to just continue moving forward on that. So, thank you. LIN: Thank you. Commissioners any questions for staff or the applicant? The staff's presentation was presented at the last hearing and all Commissioners have received both background and recommendation reports. So, are there any further questions? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. DANIELE: I move that the application for Special Management Area Use Permit, Docket No. 2022-000025 be approved based on the Planning Director's recommendation, which shall be adopted. LIN: All right, there's been a motion by Vice Chair Daniele for approval. DE LUZ: I'll second. LIN: Seconded by Commissioner De Luz. Any further discussion on the motion? Okay, if not, staff roll call vote. ROY: Okay, taking roll call. Commissioner Daniele? DANIELE: Aye. ROY: Commissioner De Luz? DE LUZ: Aye. ROY: Commissioner Perrin? PERRIN: Aye. ROY: And Chair Lin? LIN: Aye. ROY: The motion carries four to zero. LIN: All right, sorry, I'm going to move on to this, you'll be notified of the Commission's decision via a letter in writing. Thank you. BREELAND: Thank you guys so much I really appreciate it. The item ended at 9:23 a.m. 3 EXHIBIT A Respectfully submitted, Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador, Secretary Windward Planning Commission 4 EXHIBIT A