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Home My WebLink About2024-06-06 PCDP Meeting Packet County of Hawai‘i PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 Mitchell D. Roth Mayor Gregory Henkel Jennifer Scheffel Martha Morishige Kanoe Wilson, Chair Leilani DeMello, Vice Chair Vacant Leila Kealoha Susan Osborne Franny Brewer AGENDA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Puna 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: Thursday, June 6, 2024 TIME: 5:00 P.M. IN PERSON LOCATION: Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Volcano, HI 96785 ONLINE/ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsc-itqDosEt9XHmgftqL_5a66QN2L8nA 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 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. AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Committee will consider approving the draft minutes from February 1, 2024. 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. Puna Brochure Permitted Interaction Group – Decision making on whether to create a Permitted Interaction Group to investigate the existing Puna brochure. 2. Orchidland Neighbors Park Update – Update by Orchidland Neighbors representative. 3. Overview of CDP Action Committee Purpose and Puna CDP Implementation Priorities – Presentation by Planning Department staff on the background and roles of the CDP Action Committee. Discussion to establish which implementation projects the committee will pursue based off findings in the Puna CDP document. V. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None VI. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: Action Committee members will discuss potential agenda items for the next meeting. VII. ADJOURNMENT This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=1&cr=1. 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 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. PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Page 1 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE 1 COUNTY OF HAWAI’I 2 MINUTES 3 February 1, 2024 4 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Chair Wilson called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee (AC) 7 meeting to order at 4:01 PM This meeting was held in-person at the Pahoa Community Center 8 and online via Zoom. Quorum was established at this meeting. 9 The YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQQWJTOOb0M 11 12 ROLL CALL 13 AC Members Present (in person): Frannie Brewer, Leila Kealoha, Kanoe Wilson, Jennifer Scheffel, 14 Gregory Henkel, and Martha Morishige 15 AC Members Present (via Zoom): Susan Osborne (in late 4:04PM) 16 AC Members Absent-Excused: Leilani DeMello 17 Left Early: Susan Osborne (5:40PM) and Leila Kealoha (5:40 PM) 18 County Staff: Maryam Palma, Janice Hata, Kawelo Kalili, and Bethany Morrison (Zoom) 19 County Officials: Deputy Corporation Counsel, Suzanna Tiapula (Zoom) 20 Members of the public: 7 in person, also via Zoom 21 ANNOUNCEMENTS [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 5:10] 22 1. Glenwood Zip code- Update from Planning Department Staff 23 Planning Staff Maryam Palma gave an update that Zip codes are handled by the USPS. 24 25 2. Puna AC Tentative Meetings for 2024 (Subject to change): 26 Chair Wilson gave an update on the meeting cadence for 2024, first Thursday of every 27 other month. Chair Wilson noted the date change for the month of April from Thursday 28 the 4th to Thursday the 18th. 29 APPROVAL OF MINUTES [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 8:54] 30 Committee Member Kealoha made a motion to approve the December 11, 2023, minutes. Motion 31 seconded by Committee Member Osborne. Motion passed with 7 votes aye, 0 votes nay. 32 33 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: 34 Robert Golden public testimony (via zoom) [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 59:08] 35 Amedeo Markoff public testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 1:02:19] 36 Hannah Hendrick public testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 1:05:58] 37 BUSINESS: 38 1. Disaster Recovery Division Update [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 12:50] 39 This item was called to order at 4:13 PM 40 County Staff Douglas Le gave an update on Disaster Recovery Division. Douglas noted 41 that the Final Environmental Assessment has been published, currently in the 42 procurement process. 43 This item concluded at 4:39 PM 44 2. Pahoa Transit Hub and Library Project Update [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 40:02] 45 This item was called to order at 4:41 PM 46 47 Planner Heather Bartlett from SSFM gave an update on the Pahoa Transit Hub and 48 Library Project. Heather explained that there are three preferred sites for the Hub. 49 Heather noted that they are working on the Draft Environmental assessment. The County 50 & SSFM will update the public on the status of the Draft Environmental Assessment 51 public comment period. 52 53 This item concluded at 5:02 PM 54 55 3. Draft General Plan 2045 Presentation [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 1:11:01] 56 This item was called to order at 5:05 PM 57 58 Bethany gave an update on the General Plan, explaining that the public comment period 59 will be open until March 1, 2024. General Plan comments are welcome online through 60 the Konveio platform as well as through email to the Planning Department. Also gave a 61 walkthrough of how to access the functions within Konveio. Bethany answered questions 62 from the Action Committee members as well as the public. 63 64 This item concluded at 6:10 PM 65 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 2:10:03] 66 1. Puna Brochure- Establish PIG 67 2. PONC Presentation update 68 3. Pahoa Transit Hub and Library- EA update 69 4. Upper Puna connectivity issue 70 5. Orchid land Park – P&R or Orchid land Estate involvement 71 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/ CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3 ADJOURNMENT: 72 Committee Member Brewer made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Committee 73 Member Henkel. Motion passed 5 ayes; meeting adjourned at 6:18 P.M 74 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Puna 75 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 76 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 77 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 78 • Informational Resources E Mālama Kākou I Ka ‘Āina Let’s All Steward The Land BEFORE YOU BUILD IN PUNA Wherever your property is in Puna, untouched land may have native or endemic bird, insect, and plant species found nowhere else on earth. Some may very well be rare and/or endangered. Responsible stewardship means building and living in a way that minimizes your impact on Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems. A Guide to Protecting Puna’s Forests Produced by the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee Wildlife Corridors Many parcels of land in Puna either abut or are close to protected areas such as Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Kahaualeʻa Natural Area Reserve, Olaʻa Forest Reserve, Wao Kele o Puna, Keau‘ohana Forest Reserve, Nānāwale Forest Reserve and several others. These areas are of high ecological sensitivity and development can break the continuity of critical habitat. Bird and plant populations become genetically isolated and are at greater risk. By clearing minimally, removing invasive species and landscaping with native plants or non-invasive non-native plants, you can help to maintain the biological integrity of our at risk native species. The agencies and organizations listed below have contributed information used in the development of this brochure. • County of Hawai‘i Planning Department • Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee • Volcano Community Association • Mālama O Puna Mahalo Nui Loa The information contained in this brochure is for general information purposes only and is not conclusive. Please confirm all building and permitting requirements with the respective approving agency. County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 (808) 961-8288 • County Department of Public Works (DPW) http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/public- works/ • State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ • State Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/ • College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/Extprogra ms.aspx • Hawaiian Alien Plant Studies (University of Hawaiʻi) http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/cw_s mith/aliens.htm • Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) http://www.biisc.org/ ‘Ōhiʻa Lehua • Get a permit. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works regulates grubbing and grading requirements and permits. Those found in violation of Hawaiʻi County Code (HCC) Chapter 10 are subject to fines. See HCC Chapter 10 Section 10-8. http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb- countycode/#countycode • Preserve existing native forest. Avoid clearing your lot “pin-to-pin” preserving areas with the healthiest forest. There are organizations that can help you identify native plants. (See resources on the back) • Minimize cleared areas. Hand clear or use small machinery and equipment when clearing your lot. Being present to supervise clearing can help minimize misunderstandings. • Remove existing invasive species during land preparation. Such species include Albizia, Myricafaya, Strawberry Guava, Tibouchina, Himalayan Raspberry, Miconia and Ginger. • Beware of invasive species and aggressive invasive plants. Potted plants can carry hitchhikers like coqui frogs, fire ants, and stinging-nettle caterpillars. Check all plants before taking them home! Ensure that you are planting non-invasive plant species. • Prevent standing water. Mosquitoes breed in containers of standing water, and the avian malaria they carry is deadly to native birds. Turn over empty pots, buckets & tires. • Outdoor lighting and reducing light-pollution. Keep native seabirds safe by limiting exterior lighting. Improperly installed exterior lighting can disorient birds as they overfly forests at night. The law requires that all outdoor lights face the ground, not outward or upward. Rules and regulations for outdoor lighting can be found in Hawaii County Code Chapter 14: General Welfare Article 9. http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb- countycode/#countycode The endemic ʻAmakihi sipping from an endangered Hau Kuahiwi flower. This is the result of clear-cutting Building with the Environment Research permitting requirements before grubbing and grading! • Visual and noise buffers are free and provide increased privacy. • Natural landscaping provided by native forest is both valuable and appealing. • Essential habitat is saved for native and endemic bird, insect, and plant species. • Aggressive invasive species can spread quickly on cleared land. Limiting dozing and clearing helps to limit the introduction of invasive species which may save you time, money, and the use of herbicides. • Serious flooding problems can happen for you and/or your neighbors when improper or excessive grading occurs. • Vegetation impacts localized climates through natural processes. Forested areas can help reduce localized air temperatures. • Much of our native forests are heavily degraded. Help restore our forests by planting native and endemic species appropriate to YOUR local conditions/climate. . • There are 26,608 species in the state of Hawaiʻi • 10,000+ of these species are endemic • Hawaiʻi has already lost 26 native bird species with 27 more species currently endangered. • 90% of terrestrial species in Hawaiʻi are endemic Endemic to Hawaiʻi means that the species cannot be found anywhere else in the world, making it ever more important for us to protect the habitat of our endemic species! E Mālama I Ka ‘Āina Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) is a disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of ‘ōhi‘a trees. This disease is caused by a fungus called Ceratocystis fimbriata. ‘Ōhi‘a lehua is a keystone species of Hawaiʻi’s native forests and watersheds, and possibly the most important tree in Hawaiʻi. You can help reduce the spread of rapid ‘ōhi‘a death by: • Not moving ‘ōhi‘a wood, firewood or posts, especially from areas known to have ROD. • Not moving ‘ōhi‘a plants, wood, or other plant parts interisland without a permit. [Hawaiʻi Administrative Rule §4-72-13] • Cleaning tools used for cutting ‘ōhi‘a trees (especially infected ones) with 70% rubbing alcohol or 10% bleach. • Cleaning shoes, gear and clothing. Decontaminate shoes by dipping the soles in 10% bleach or 70% rubbing alcohol. Other gear can be sprayed with the same proven cleaning solutions. Wash clothing in hot water with detergent. • Washing tires and undercarriage of vehicles with detergent, especially after traveling from an area with ROD and/or if you have traveled off-road. Reduce the Spread of R.O.D. Suggestions for Preparing Your Lot Benefits of Saving Your Forest Protecting Puna’s Forests ‘Ōhiʻa Lehua Blossom Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee Refresher & Implementation Guide June 2024 Puna CDP Action Committee Connectivity Map Purpose of the CDP Action Committee Be a proactive, community- based steward of the implementation and updating of the CDP. Provide ongoing input and advocacy to advance implementation of the CDP goals, objectives, policies, and actions. Action Committee Roles AC Members •Regularly attend Action Committee meetings •Develop priorities and a work plan to implement community actions in the CDPs •Develop partnerships with individuals, non- profits,businesses, and community groups/associations to implement CDP policies and actions •Transmit project updates and involvement opportunities regularly to their CDP region •Intentionally and explicitly engage all factions of their community with specific attention to those who are marginalized and underrepresented •Invest a minimum of eight (8) hours of work each month advancing CDP implementation through priority projects and initiatives. AC Chairs •Open all meetings of the Committee •Maintain order, clarity of process and action, and proper decorum •Review all matters properly brought before the Committee, call for votes upon the same and announce the results; •Authenticate by signature all acts of the Committee as may be required by law County Staff Roles Planning Department •Administrative support such as the timely preparation and distribution of the agenda for each meeting to satisfy meeting notice requirements, meeting logistics, correspondence, annual reports,website publications, and preparation and official posting of meeting minutes; •Liaise between the Committee and governmental agencies in furtherance of the CDP’s goals and objectives. •Facilitate the implementation of the CDP and serve as a planning resource to the Committee and community; Corporation Counsel •Legal advisor/representative to County boards and commissions. •Provide guidance on Sunshine Law, Robert’s Rules of Order, and other legal matters. •May assist with training of new AC members. •Jean Campbell has been appointed to all Action Committees and is available to discuss CDP-related issues via email and through the CDP staff. •Jean Campbell may attend Action Committee meetings either in person or via Zoom, but her attendance is not mandatory. Sunshine Law The Sunshine Law is Hawaiʻi’s open meeting law. It governs the manner in which all state and county boards must conduct their business. The Sunshine Law outlines requirements for committee and subcommittee meetings. It also dictates how committee members are allowed to interact with each other concerning committee business. Robert's Rules of Order As for committee meetings, we follow a modified version of Robert’s Rules of Order. This protocol is intended to be a guide for conducting meetings and making decisions as a group. These rules help to define how a committee conducts committee business and also helps committee members understand the appropriate way to participate in a cooperative manner. Puna Community Development Plan CDP Purpose & Priorities: General Purpose of the CDP's: •Guide County actions •Guide the policy and actions of State and federal agencies •Focus and guide community action 3 Puna CDP Themes: •Mālama i ka ʻāina •Growth management •Transportation How to navigate the CDP? Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2:MĀLAMA I KA ʻĀINA •Historic, Cultural, Science Resources, Native Forests and Geological Features, Aquifers, Coastal Waters and Stormwater, Shoreline Area Chapter 3:MANAGING GROWTH •Land Use Pattern, Agriculture and Economic Development, Social Services and Housing, Public Safety and Sanitation Services, Parks and Recreation, Energy Sustainability Chapter 4:TRANSPORTATION •Traffic Demand Management, Mass Transit, Roadway Network, Highways, Non-Motorized Travel and Scenic Byways Chapter 5:Implementation Implementation Table (Page 81-87) The Implementation Table on the following pages identifies, for each of the proposed actions in the Puna Community Development Plan, the organization(s) responsible for taking the lead or supporting role for implementation, the projected timeframe for implementation, and the estimated cost, in 2007 dollars, of implementing the action, if it is a major capital improvement project. Previous Puna Action Committee Projects Revitalize Puna: Resilience Capacity Areas (RCAs) Puna AC Member Action Item Priorities Google Form Responses Acronyms Table (page 80) 1st Priority Responses Action Item # CDP Theme Section Action Lead | Supporting Agencies Timeline 2.1.3 (b)Mālama I Ka ʻĀina Historic, Cultural, and Scenic Resources Propose amendments to the county building code for traditional Hawaiian building design and construction methods Lead: DPW Supporting: COU/PD 2008-2012 2.2.3 (a)Mālama I Ka ʻĀina Native Forests and Geological Features Enact a BRBZ Design District for the Volcano area Lead: COU Supporting: PD/DPW 2008-2012 3.5.3 Managing Growth Parks and Recreation Not specified Lead: DLNR/DPR/COU/DOE/DPW/NGOs Supporting: DPR/COU/NGOs/LEG/DLNR/OHCD 4.3.3 Transportation Roadway Network Not specified Lead: PD/DPW Supporting: DOT/DPW/NGOs 2008-2012 2013-2017 2018-2030 4.3.3 (a)Transportation Roadway Network 1) Plan and design PMAR alignment 2) Require building setbacks in HP for potential PMAR extension 3) Establish emergency routes using mostly existing road beds 4) Include pedestrian and bycicling requirements in all projects 5) Create connectivity alignments between various subdivisions Lead: PD/DPW Supporting: DOT/DPW/NGOs 2008-2012 2nd Priority Responses Aciton Item # Theme Section Action Lead | Supporting Agencies Timeline 2.2.3 (b)Mālama I Ka ʻĀina Native Forests and Geological Features Propose amendments to the County code to protect native species, geological and historic features outside of the BRBZ Lead: COU Supporting: PD/DPW 2008-2012 3.3.3 (b)Managing Growth Social Services and Housing Establish "one-stop" social services assistanve centers at various locations Lead: NGOs Supporting: DHS/OHCD 2008-2012 2013-2017 3.6.3 (g)Managing Growth Energy Sustainability Negotiate a direct use of geothermal agreement for agricultural uses as part of any expansion of the capacity of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant Lead: HELCO/PUC Supporting: R&D 2008-2012 4.3.3 Transportation Roadway Network Not specified Lead: PD/DPW Supporting: DOT/DPW/NGOs 2008-2012 2013-2017 2018-2030 3rd Priority Responses Aciton Item #Theme Section Action Lead | Supporting Agencies Timeline 2.2.3 (e)Mālama I Ka ʻĀina Native Forests and Geological Features Reduce the minimum lot size to qualify for the native forest preservation tax reduction and allow it in any zoning district Lead: COU Supporting: FIN 2008-2012 3.3.3 Managing Growth Social Services and Housing Not Specified Lead: NGOs/COU/LEG/OHC D Supporting: LEG/DOH/DHS/OHCD 2008-2012 2013-2017 2018-2030 4.1.3 (c)Transportation Traffice Demand Management Facilitate telecommuting by developing free Wi-Fi reception in Puna Lead: COU/LEG Supporting: FED 2013-2017 2018-2030 4.2.3 Transportation Mass Transit Not specified Lead: MTA/COU Supporting: FED/DOT/DOE/LEG/FI N/EMPL/NGOs 2008-2012 2013-2017 2018-2030 Mahalo!