HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-13 HCDP Meeting Packet
County of Hawai‘i
HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
Brad Kurokawa Mahealani Maikui Richard Bidleman Vacant Vacant David Meyer Vacant Robert Nishimoto Tawn Keeney
AGENDA
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 (HRS). This meeting will be held in-person at the location listed in this notice and by Interactive Conference Technology (ICT) through Zoom.
DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 2024
TIME: 5:00 P.M.
IN PERSON LOCATION: Honokaʻa Sports Complex 45-541 Akia Street Honokaʻa, HI 96727
ONLINE/ZOOM:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-itrTwtHZaIV0s2CWXBX0OIgh7VoxI
NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC TESTIMONY: The public may provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining Zoom or attending in-person at the physical location listed above.
Although not required, to register in advance for oral testimony please contact staff at
cdp@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8288. Pursuant to § 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so either at the time the committee takes public statements on the agenda, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Please note that public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. In addition,
although not required, to ensure timely delivery of written testimony to committee members, it is
requested that written testimony be submitted by 4:30 p.m. at least two business days prior to the meeting via email to cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. When submitting written testimony, please specify for which agenda item written testimony is being submitted. All written testimony will be a part of the public record.
NOTICE REGARDING INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): A
meeting held by ICT shall be automatically recessed for up to 30 minutes to restore communication when audiovisual communication cannot be maintained with all members participating in the meeting or with the in-person location identified in this notice. The meeting may reconvene when either audiovisual communication is restored, or audio-only
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communication is established after an unsuccessful attempt to restore audiovisual communication. If it is not possible to reconvene the meeting as provided in this subsection
within 30 minutes after an interruption to communication, the meeting will be automatically
terminated.
I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Committee will consider approving the draft
minutes from the February 12, 2024, meeting.
III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: Pursuant to § 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so now, or at the time the specific
agenda item is called. Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per
agenda item. IV. BUSINESS:
1. Integrated Wastewater Management Plan Presentation - Presentation and Q&A
by Hawai’i County Department of Environmental Management Director, Ramzi
Mansour.
2. Overview of CDP Action Committee Purpose and Hāmākua CDP Implementation Priorities for 2024 - Brief presentation by Planning Department staff on the background and purpose of the CDP Action Committee. Discussion to
establish which implementation projects the committee will pursue in 2024 based
off findings from the Hāmākua CDP document.
V. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: Action Committee members will discuss potential agenda items for the next meeting including revisiting topics from meetings that did not
have quorum.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The Planning Department is currently seeking applicants for the Hāmākua Action Committee and is requesting assistance to get the word out to interested
community members. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website
at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-commissions-application
• Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell is assigned to the Hāmākua CDP AC.
• Hawaii County Council Chairperson, Heather Kimball to provide County Council
updates related to the Hāmākua Community Development Plan.
VII. 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/Browse.aspx?dbid=1&startid=109367&cr=1These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov.
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www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@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 business days prior to the meeting.
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
or cdp@hawaiicounty.gov as soon as possible, but no later than five business days prior to the meeting date, to arrange for accommodations. If a response is received after the five-business days deadline, we will try to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be fulfilled. “Other reasonable modification” refers to
communication methods or devices for people with disabilities who are mentally and/or
physically challenged. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.
If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code). A lobbyist means,
“any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any
month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code). Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street,
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720.
HĀMĀKUA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Page 1
HĀMĀKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE 1
2 Monday, February 12, 2024
DRAFT Meeting Minutes 3
CALL TO ORDER 4 Chair Meyer called the Hāmākua Community Development Plan (HCDP) Action Committee 5 (AC) to order at 4:00pm. Quorum was established at this time. This meeting was held in-person 6 at the Pāpaʻaloa Community Center Annex and online via ZOOM. 7
The YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poWghSnRl78 9
ROLL CALL 10 AC Members Present: Brad Kurokawa, Robert Nishimoto, David Meyer, Tawn Keeney, Richard 11 Bidleman 12
AC Members Present via ZOOM: Mahealani Maikui joined late at 5:05pm 13
County Staff: Planners – Maryam Palma and Jessica Lahip 14
County Officials: Council Member, Heather Kimball and Deputy Corporation Counsel, Sinclair 15 Salas-Ferguson 16
11 members of the of the public attended the meeting (7 in person and 4 via ZOOM) 17
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 18
Chair Meyer announced that the Planning Department is seeking applicants for the HCDP AC. 19 There are currently 3 vacancies and 3 holdovers on the AC. 20
Chair Meyer announces how to find public notices via the county website. Chair requests more 21 communication by Planning regarding new land use applications in the Hāmākua district [SEE 22
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 3:45] 23
Updates and announcements by Councli Member Heather Kimball and discussion with AC [SEE 24 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 11:02] 25
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 26 Committee member Richard Bidleman motioned to approve the January 10, 2024 minutes. 27
Motion seconded by committee member Brad Kurokawa. Motion passed unanimously [SEE 28
YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 33:43] 29
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: 30
No public comments before agenda items. 31
BUSINESS: 32
1.Emergency Routes Discussion: This item was called to order at 4:48 p.m.33
Kevin Waltjen and Jennifer Zelko from HECO discuss concern about powerlines and tree 34 trimming cycle on Kapehu Road. Marisa Harman speaks on Kamehameha School’s work on 35 Kapehu Road. [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 48:05:00] 36
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2
AC discusses potential Permitted Interaction Groups (PIG) for emergency routes. Planning 37 adresses Section 4.9.3 Policy 55 of the CDP as a suggestion for the Mud Lane emergency route. 38
Tawn Keeny requests to form a PIG. [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 1:04] 39
Brad Kurokawa motions to form a PIG to solicit community input on Policy 55 in CDP 40 document with committee members Tawn Keeny, Mahealani Maikui, and Chair David Meyer, 41 seconded by Mahealani Maikui. Motion passed by 6 votes, aye. [SEE YOUTUBE TIME 42 STAMP 1:45] 43
This item concluded at 5:50 p.m. 44
2. Lehua Street Subdivision Sidewalk Funds Availability: This item was called to order 45
at 5:50 p.m. 46
Committee member Richard Bidleman presents Lehua Street map, Communication No. 2024.02. 47 Bidleman expresses the need for an additional sidewalk along Lehua Street adjacent to Honokaʻa 48 Sports Complex. Planning addresses Section 5.3.4 Policy 70 which states the County’s action for 49
improving pedestrian access in Honokaʻa. Planning agrees to address feasibility of this project at 50
the next meeting [SEE YOUTIBE TIME STAMP 1:49] 51
This item concluded at 5:58 p.m. 52
3. Scheduling of Future Hāmākua Community Development Plan Action Committee 53 meetings: This item was called to order at 5:58pm 54
AC discusses possible meeting times, dates, and meeting locations. AC agrees to meet on the 55
second Wednesday of every month at 5:00p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:57] 56
This item concluded at 6:06 p.m. 57
4. Letter of Endorsement to a Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources 58 Commission (PONC) Application: This item was called to order at 6:06 p.m. 59
AC discusses letter of endorsement for PONC application, Communication No. 2024-10. 60
Committee member Tawn Keeney motions to submit letter of endorsement by Hāmākua CDP 61 AC for consideration by Hawaii County, seconded by committee member Richard Bidleman. 62 Motion passed unanimously [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 2:04] 63
This item concluded at 6:31 p.m. 64
ADJOURNMENT: 65
Committee member Brad Kurokawa motioned to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Vice 66
Chair Mahealani Maikui. Motion passed with unanimous aye vote. The meeting was adjourned 67 at 6:33p.m. 68
These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Hāmākua 69 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 70
Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 71 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 72
Cesspool Conversions in
the County of Hawai‘i
Ramzi Mansour, Director
Department of Environmental Management
Agenda
•What are cesspools and how many are within the County of
Hawai‘i
•The driving legislative force
•COH public engagement meetings
•Most likely conversion options for COH
•Roles and responsibilities Owner vs. COH vs. DOH
•Cost
•Why now and How
•How to participate to shape the Wastewater vision for the COH
Cesspools are
harming our
environment
•Cesspools are substandard systems. They don’t treat wastewater; they merely dispose of it. Cesspools
concentrate the wastewater in one location, often deep within the ground and in direct
contact with groundwater, causing groundwater contamination. --DOH
Cesspools, continued
CAROLLO / 5
updatefooter0323.pptx/5updatefooter0323.pptx/5Waterkeepers Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiʻi County has the most cesspools in the State
Priority
Category Number of Cesspools
1 5,119 cesspools (11%)
2 2,619 cesspools (5%)
3 40,858 cesspools (84%)
Total 48,596 cesspools
2,000 cesspools per year need to be converted to meet
the 2050 deadline.
The Driving Legislative Force
•HRS 342D-72: (a) Before January 1, 2050, every cesspool in the State, excluding
cesspools granted exemptions by the director of health pursuant to subsection (b),
shall be:
(1) Upgraded or converted to a director-approved wastewater system; or (2) Connected to a sewerage system. (b) The director of health may grant exemptions (based on small lot size, steep topography, poor soils, or accessibility issues)
•Act 132 (2018): Created the Cesspool Conversion Working Group
•Analyzed 15 objectives in the broad categories of Finance, Technology, and Data Prioritization
•Presented findings to the 2023 Legislature
www.hawaiicesspooltool.org
All Cesspools in
Hāmākua/Rural
North and South
Hilo are in
Priority Level 3
CAROLLO / 10
updatefooter0323.pptx/10updatefooter0323.pptx/10Who is responsible for what?
Hawaii Department of Health,
Wastewater Branch
•Review and approve new individual
wastewater systems (e.g., septic tanks,
aerobic treatment units, or others).
•Regulate and oversee all IWSs state-wide,
including enforcement of the cesspool ban.
•Implement IWS financial aid (when
available).
Hawaii County
•Support constituents by developing a
roadmap to guide the County’s cesspool
conversions.
•Operate and maintain County-owned sewers,
wastewater pump stations, and wastewater
treatment plants.
•Plan and build new sewers so that feasible
homes can connect (convert cesspools).
•Review and approve building permits.Homeowner
•Comply with the State’s cesspool
conversion mandate.
Most likely conversion options for COH
•Expansion of centralized sewer service areas
•Decentralized systems
•Potential conversion option for clustered systems that cannot be feasibly
connected to centralized systems
•Individual wastewater systems
•Conversion technology is dependent onsite conditions
11
CAROLLO / 12
Options to Replace Cesspools
Connection to an Existing County Treatment Plant Decentralized or Cluster System with a New Treatment Plant Upgrade Cesspool to an Approved Onsite System
https://gis.hawaiicounty.gov/arcgisportal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9517e052e2464706bfc81165e35b7fcchttps://twri.tamu.edu/publications/txh2o/2022/winter-2022/bigger-is-not-always-better-decentralizing-texas-wastewater-infrastructure/https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems
Kealakehe
WWTP
Example Slide
CAROLLO / 13
updatefooter0323.pptx/13updatefooter0323.pptx/13Conversion option #1: Connect to the County’s sewer system
(Centralized System)
•Proximity to existing collection
system
•Feasibility of extending the
collection system
•Available capacity at the
wastewater treatment plant
•Cost of upgrades and sewer fees
County Wastewater Treatment Plants
CAROLLO / 14
updatefooter0323.pptx/14updatefooter0323.pptx/14Connect to the County’s sewer system
Benefits Challenges
County will need to expand
sewer system
Cost to the County will be
significant, but can be
financed/recovered over time
County requires staff/support
to implement projects
Potential to reduce potable water
use and increase recycled water use
Excellent environmental protection
Potential for rapid conversions
Homeowners will not have to
operate and maintain an individual
system
Potential to reduce the burden of
conversions by limiting scope to
sewer lateral only
CAROLLO / 15
updatefooter0323.pptx/15updatefooter0323.pptx/15Conversion option #2: Connect to a new or existing Decentralized or
Cluster WWTP
•Connecting groups of homes
(50 to several hundred)
•Smaller version of a
centralized WWTP
•Larger version of an onsite
individual wastewater system
•Cost of construction and sewer
fees
https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems
CAROLLO / 16
updatefooter0323.pptx/16updatefooter0323.pptx/16Connect to a new or existing Decentralized or Cluster WWTP
Benefits Challenges
Neighborhood coordination
needed (e.g., Sewer Improvement
District)
Costs for up-front planning, design,
and construction
Need for licensed, skilled operators
Land/space requirements
Potential to reduce potable water use
and increase recycled water use
Excellent environmental protection
Potential for rapid conversions
Homeowners will not have to operate
and maintain an individual system
Potential to reduce the burden of
conversions by limiting scope to
sewer lateral only
Broadens range of funding
opportunities
CAROLLO / 17
updatefooter0323.pptx/17updatefooter0323.pptx/17Conversion option #3: Convert to a DOH-Approved Onsite System
•Site evaluation by licensed
engineer to determine possible
system options
•Regulation (HAR 11-62): systems
approved for use by DOH
•Submit application for each system
to be reviewed/approved by DOH
•Typically, minimum lot size of
10,000 square feet
CAROLLO / 18
updatefooter0323.pptx/18updatefooter0323.pptx/18Convert to an Approved Onsite System
Benefits Challenges
Homeowners are responsible for
operating and maintaining
system
Cost must be borne by homeowner
and financial support is needed by
many
Owners must hire licensed engineer
and contractor
Environmental risk because effluent
is directly discharged into ground
Potentially lower construction costs
Better than cesspools
Additional land would not need to
be acquired
Relatively fewer permitting
requirements
Homeowner demonstrates
environmental stewardship
CAROLLO / 19
updatefooter0323.pptx/19updatefooter0323.pptx/19How much does a cesspool conversion cost?
It depends on the conversion method…
•IWS: Homeowners’ costs for IWS conversions range
from $30K to $70K (site-specific +/-)
• Sewering: Cost estimates from Puna Facility Plan− Estimated $4B to $11B capital cost for
different sewering alternatives (County sewers)
CAROLLO / 20
updatefooter0323.pptx/20updatefooter0323.pptx/20Future plans for financial support
Hawaii County is exploring
grant and low interest loan
options for County projects.
•Federal funding
opportunities.
•Prioritize high priority
cesspools and
financially burdened.
State financial support
programs:
•Waitlist is filled for the
current $20K DOH
grant program.
•Other programs are to
be determined.
https://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater
/home/ccpgp/
CAROLLO / 21
updatefooter0323.pptx/21updatefooter0323.pptx/21– Why
•To protect human health
•To manage precious groundwater sources, shorelines, beaches, reefs, and ocean activities
•To comply with Federal and State laws
•To provide a road map for future development planning
•To address solutions to current conditions
•To identify and forecast capital improvements and work on financial plans in advance
•To create a preventative maintenance program
•To tackle the top priorities and identify necessary resources
CAROLLO / 22
updatefooter0323.pptx/22updatefooter0323.pptx/22– How
•Close and ongoing collaboration with the County Council over the last three years to tackle our wastewater challenges head-on
•DEM has been working on multiple fronts to solve the wastewater problem by:
»Finalizing the Puna and Pāhoa wastewater master plans
»Undertaking a wastewater rate study to address the fiscal shortfalls
»Securing the services of Carollo Engineers to address the Integrated Wastewater Management Plan, the Cesspool Master Conversion Plan, the Facility Plan, the Hilo WWTP, and a revision of Operations and Maintenance manuals
CAROLLO / 23
updatefooter0323.pptx/23updatefooter0323.pptx/23Two rounds of public engagement
First Round: Basis of Cesspool Conversion Plan
•Water stewardship
•Importance of eliminating cesspools
•Overview of options to convert cesspools
February 2024
Second Round: Cesspool Conversion Plan Findings
•Conversion options by region
•Financing & funding concepts
Summer 2024
CAROLLO / 24
updatefooter0323.pptx/24updatefooter0323.pptx/24Ongoing Public Engagement
First Round: February 2024
•Maps showing conversion options:
•Connect to an existing wastewater treatment plant
•Connect to a new cluster or decentralized wastewater
treatment plant
•Replace cesspool with an approved system
•What will it cost and how to pay?
•Financing & funding concepts
Second Round: Summer 2024
CAROLLO / 25
updatefooter0323.pptx/25updatefooter0323.pptx/25For more information, please see DEM’s website or email
https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects/integrated-wastewater-management-plan
Scan me
cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov
CAROLLO / 26
updatefooter0323.pptx/26updatefooter0323.pptx/26How to participate in the legislative process…
Tips on testimony:
https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/engagement-101/tips-on-testimony/ Scan me
Include the bill number, bill’s title, your name
Address the committee chair and members
Clearly state whether you support or oppose the bill
Introduce yourself and your organization (if any) that you represent
Summarize the reason for your position; provide facts and/or tell a
personal story
Thank the committee for the opportunity to testify
Keep it short
CAROLLO / 27
updatefooter0323.pptx/27updatefooter0323.pptx/27How to participate in the legislative process…
Scan me
Use your voice at the Legislature:
https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/use-your-voice-at-the-
legislature/
Communicate with your Legislators
Share an idea for a new law
Ask for a public hearing
Testify
Repeat as necessary
Contact the Governor
Questions?