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Public Comment Summary
County of Hawaiʻi Draft General Plan 2045
The public comment period for the Draft General Plan 2045 was held from September 18, 2023 to
April 1, 2024. This comment summary contains the key themes derived from community feedback
on the Introduction section of the draft plan.
1. Comprehensive Review Process
Comments express concerns about the Draft General Plan 2045 and seek explanations of specific
changes, more detailed land use maps, and definitions of terms. Commenters highlight that the
public engagement process could be improved, with suggestions to postpone approval and
conduct town hall meetings for broader community input. Requests to improve the public
outreach process include more in-depth consultation and explanation of the plan. Other
comments request a better communication strategy of the draft plan and online commenting
platform. Commenters suggest involving all community stakeholders, more frequent and
informative updates, and using terms that are accessible and clearly defined.
2. Agricultural Land and Conservation
Numerous comments advocate for the preservation and protection of agricultural lands, open
spaces, and scenic corridors. There is a strong sentiment to maintain rural and agricultural
zoning, thus avoiding conversion to urban development. Additionally, there is emphasis on
preserving cultural heritage, proper land use, and a desire for land sales to remain local and
development be focused on island resident needs and interests.
3. Housing and Development
Concerns were raised regarding the provisions for housing, particularly the necessity for
affordable housing solutions for locals and for further development to do comprehensive impact
assessments. There is a call for stipulations in development applications to offer a significant
percentage of homes to locals at affordable rates, fearing that unchecked development may put
island resources at risk.
4. Sustainability and Preservation of Natural and Cultural Resources
Comments reflect a strong desire for sustainable and environmentally conscious planning, with
skepticism about initiatives such as nuclear power and carbon sequestration. There is demand
for action on renewable energy, addressing water supply issues, transportation, and managing
waste effectively. Many suggest integrating native Hawaiian practices and traditional knowledge
into sustainability efforts, and there are requests for embodying these values in the draft plan.
5. Infrastructure
Notable concerns regarding infrastructure pertain to the island's capacity to accommodate
growth, specifically mentioning water availability, electricity supply, landfill capacity, cesspool
issues, and the traffic increase. The comments emphasize the need to thoroughly examine how
the infrastructure can cope with future development given the existing conditions.
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Comment Page Number
(in the online
Konveio platform)
The South Kohala Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) submits the
following comments on the Draft General Plan 2045. The compiled comments correspond to the
South Kohala CDP, Table 8.1 Implementation Matrix. The table is broken down into the four towns
and villages of South Kohala (Waimea Town Plan, Waikoloa Village Plan, Kawaihae Community
Plan, and Puako Community Plan). The AC encourages the implementation of the following SKCDP
strategies as they align with the General Plan.
Waimea Town Plan
Prioritize preserving Ag Lands and Open Spaces based on view planes, cultural sites, and historical
sites. Preserve hillsides and grading for these areas, and change zoning to protect these lands. The
AC also supports the development of more affordable housing and pedestrian access for the
Waimea Community.
1.1 Acquire conservation easements for critical Pu'u parcels
1.2 Require a Use permit for grading on Steep Land
2.1 Acquisition of Fee Interest or of Conservation Easements of Open Space Areas in East
Waimea
2.2 Internal Transfer of Development Rights
3.1 Self-help housing
3.2 Non-profit housing corporation(s)
4.1 Walkways and Bikeways for Waimea
Waikoloa Village Plan
In addition to the following action items, the AC strongly recommends prioritizing the completion
of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway between Mamalahoa Hwy and Queen K. Hwy, from mauka to
makai.
1.1 Finance and construct a second access road to Queen Ka'ahumanu
2.1 Finance and construct a community center and community park
3.1 New elementary school, middle school, and high school
Kawaihae Community Plan
1.1 Complete the development of the Ouli Well Field and transmit the water from Ouli to the
Kawaihae area in order to provide additional sources of potable water for the area
o Revise 1.1 to focus on the area from Kawaihae to Kailapa Hawaiian Homes
o Adding infrastructure for housing in Hawaiian homes
o New action plan for an evacuation route for Kailapa subdivision
Puako Community Plan
1.1 Establish a fuel break along Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway and the northeastern section of
Puako Road
1.2 Upgrade existing emergency warning sirens to have a battery electrical power backup in case
of power outages
1.3 Construct the Paniau Evacuation Route
2.1 Construct a sanitary sewer system for the Puako Beach Lots
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The problem is that the General plan, you're closing off comments April 1 and people have to log
on. I would contend that a very small percentage of people know about this, and know the
influence this will have for the next 20 years of life on the Big island. This hasn't been properly
advertised, there has not been meetings where you can sit, talk, and raise questions. Where you
can talk with other people and hear other people, that is what needs to be done. There was a letter
to the editor in yesterday's newspaper, it was in the Hilo paper. I would assume that it would be in
the West Hawaii today. It's a woman from Kana, I don't know her. But she writes about this very fact,
that why don't we stop everything for now. What would be the reason to push ahead if so, many
citizens here haven't had input but deserve input. They are the tax payers, they are the ones that
make this go, not the planning department it's the citizens here that make this place go. Why don't
we have a series of meetings in Hilo, which is left out of the whole CDP process, if you notice all the
other districts have CDPs. Hilo is left out of it and has been left out since 1972, its ridiculous. Why
don't we stop it and do the citizens a favor and lets do a series of town halls here so people can
discuss the zoning and all the things that are going to impact our lives. Please call me back
2
My letter is my petition https ://www.change.org/p/help-prioritize-big-island-development-to-
keep-...We stand to keep The Big Island in a place where the Island's resources are safe for the
entire population and visitors. We ask that you look at all these articles about Big Island resources
and learn that the island's resources are limited and are already being affected negatively. Please,
read these articles and learn through other sources as well, how all the development that has
already been built, and the many years of new development that has already been approved for
the future, will affect the island's resources. We stand and ask that you stop before approving more
and more developments and learn what is happening to the island's resources and what will
happen to the island's resources after the years of development that is already scheduled for the
future. Because a lot of development is having negative impacts on the island's resources as of
today. What will future development do to the island's resources if there are already resource
issues happening today? Please, learn how to take island resources seriously because you have
approved many more years of development to come and today the island's resources are having
issues. What will the future look like if you don't start taking island resources seriously?
What is happening to Big Island Resources
1) Hawaii Deals with Burgeoning Waste Management Problem
As landfills face closure and waste-to-energy projects stall, various counties in Hawaii are dealing
with waste management issues. Waste360 Staff January 10, 2020
"Hawaii Island is in the enviable position of having a landfill with anywhere from 20 to 100 years
of capacity left to take in trash. But the island still wrestles with significant issues like plastic
products that are no longer being recycled." https: //www.waste360.com/landfill/hawaii-deals-
with-burgeoning-waste-man ...
2) "Big Island Now readers seem to agree that there's likely no single solution for slowing
down the timeline of the West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill reaching capacity.
The West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill, the only remaining landfill on the Big Island, is forecast to
reach capacity within the next 20 to 25 years." https ://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/17/big-island-
now-poll-no-27-results-mo...
3) Hawaii Island Has Decades of Landfill Space But Still Faces Challenges In Dealing With Its
Waste Hawai'i Public Radio Published January 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM HST
"Hawaii Island is in the enviable position of having a landfill with anywhere from 20 to 100 years
of capacity left to take in trash. But the island still wrestles with significant issues like plastic
products that are no longer being recycled.
For the past four decades, trash from the east side of Hawaii Island has been dumped in a landfill
outside of Hilo. But now trash from all parts of the island is being trucked to a facility north of
Kona." https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2020-01-09/hawaii-island-ha...
4) "What happens to Hawaii Island's trash and recyclables? BY MICHELLE BRODER
VANdyke HAWAII ISLAND PUBLISHED 11:30 AM ET DEC. 17, 2022 By Michelle Broder Vandyke
Hawaii Island PUBLISHED 11:30 AM ET Dec. lThe future of the landfill
2
Draft General Plan 2045
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The West Hawaii Landfill will be full in about 20 years. Finding a location for the next landfill is a
concern, according to the DEM officials. They said it will be challenging to find a location for a
future landfill because of stringent regulations and costs related to planning, environmental
regulations, design and construction that will take many years to complete. It will also require
community support." https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2022/12/15/what-
happens-to- ...
5) "The overwhelming plastic waste Hawaii visitors leave behind By Natasha BourlinAug 24,
2023
Hawaii saw more than 9 million visitors last year. Those tourists' first stops are often big-box and
convenience stores, where they buy bottled water, plastic sand toys, single-use bodyboards,
noodles, floaties and inner tubes for their trips." https: //www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/plastic-
waste-hawaii-visitors-leav ...
6) "A county commission drafts ordinance aiming to ban recyclables at West Hawai'i landfill
By Megan Moseley September 6, 2023 • 1 :00 AM HST
* Updated September 6, 2023 • 2:02 PM
Hawai'i County's Environmental Management Commission is developing an ordinance that aims
to prohibit the amount of recyclable materials ending up in the island's only working landfill."
https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/06/new- draft-ordinance-aims-to-ban-recy..
7) "Hawai'i County issues mandatory 25% water restriction for North Kona August 7, 2023 •
5:21 PM HST
A mandatory 25% water restriction has been issued for various communities in North Kona due to
the failure of the Honokohau Deepwell over the weekend." https
://bigislandnow.com/2023/08/07/hawaii-county-issues-mandatory-25- wa...
8) "Hawai'i Water Supply Closely Monitored As Severe Drought Continues by Big Island
Video Newson Nov 6, 2023 at 3:28 pm STORY SUMMARY
HAWAI'I COUNTY - Officials say a special focus will be placed on the South Kohala Water System,
which is more susceptible to drought conditions."
https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2023/11/06/water-supply-closely-monit ...
9) "Big Island Concerns About Water Quality Prompt A Lawsuit Over A Kona Sewage Plant
Kealakehe sewage plant discharges more than 1 million gallons of wastewater into a lava pit near
the ocean. By Paula Dobbyn/ February 6, 2024
Settlement talks are scheduled in an environmental lawsuit involving a county-operated Big
Island sewage plant in Kona." https: //www .civilbeat.org/2024/02/concerns-about-water-quality-
prompt-a-...
10) "Researchers find sewage from an oceanfront Big Island community reaches nearshore
waters Hawai'i Public Radio I By Russell Subiono, Sophia McCullough Published December 20,
2021 at 5: 56 PM HST
There are nearly 50,000 cesspools on the Big Island, with tens of thousands posing a risk to water
resources, according to the Hawai'i Department of Health."
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2021-12- 20/researcher ...
11) Has this issue been fixed? It's going on 3 years since this article was written. "Kona coast
faces stark wastewater tradeoffs Current situation
There are approximately 88,000 cesspools across the state, releasing more than 200,000 cubic
meters of wastewater per day to the environment.
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2021/09/10/kona-stark-wastewater-tradeoffs/
12) "BIG ISLAND NEWS HECO restores power after initiating emergency outages on Big
Island by: Elizabeth 'Ufi Posted: Jan 30, 2024 / 09:43 AM HST Updated: Jan 30, 2024 / 04:15 PM
HST
An unexpected loss of several large Hawaii Electric generators left some residents on Big Island
without power for parts of the morning on Tuesday, Jan. 30." https://www.khon2.com/big-island-
news/heco-initiates-30-min-rolling- outa...
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13) Hawai'i State News Update: Hawaiian Electric initiates rolling outages throughout Big
Island February 13, 2024 • 5:23 PM HST
* Updated February 14, 2024 • 4:21 PM
The emergency outages are being initiated in various areas around the entire island to prevent
loss of power to an even greater number of customers. The timing and extent of the outages will
depend on the amount of demand on the system and the availability of generators." https:
//bigislandnow.com/2024/02/13/hawaii-island-customers-asked- to-red...
14) "LOCAL NEWS
HECO issues rolling power outages around Big Island by: Emily Cervantes Posted: Feb 13, 2024 /
05: 11 PM HST Updated: Feb 13, 2024 / 09: 12 PM HST Hawaiian Electric initiated rolling outages
for Big Island after several large generators became unavailable and reduced output Tuesday
night."
https: //www.khon2.com/local-news/heco-releases-conservation-alert-for-bi..
15) "Here's how power outages can have repercussions for Hawai'i's water supply Hawai'i
Public Radio I By Savannah Harriman-Pote
Published February 13, 2024 at 10: 59 AM HST
Water departments on O'ahu and Hawai'i Island have advised customers to conserve water ahead
of possible storm- related power outages this month.
But what does the power grid have to do with the water supply?
It is impossible to separate Hawai'i's power system from its water system, said Kawika Uyehara,
deputy director of Hawai'i County's Department of Water Supply."
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2024-02-13/residents- on-haw ...
These articles show that Big Island resources are currently being affected negatively from the
development on island, there are years of new developement that has already been approved,
and even more development is still being approved before learning if the island's resources can
handle more development.
We stand to say LEARN WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE ISLAND'S RESOURCES before approving
more development because this is an island, it's not the mainland.
We stand and say that Big Island resources needs to be FULLY considered before any more new
development is approved for the safety of ALL who live here and visit.
There are many, many developments that have been approved for years to come and we stand
and say we need to learn how the island's resources will be affected when these developments are
finished before you keep approving more and more developments!
We stand and say NO DEVELOPING ON BURIAL GROUND. The history of the island needs to be
preserved and the burial grounds need to be respected at all costs.
We stand and say NO more approving of future developments because there are hundreds of
acers that have been approved for future development and the Big Island needs to address these
resource issues before more land is approved for development.
We stand and ask to make it mandatory for vacation rentals and ALL resorts and hotels to provide
drinking water machines to their guests to help stop all the empty water bottle waste on the island.
We stand and ask to make it mandatory for vacation rentals and ALL resorts and hotels to provide
shampoo, conditioner, body wash in bulk containers rather than continuously using different
containers for every new guest, to help stop all the empty bottles waste in the limited landfill.
Can Hawaii Planning Department put in a stipulation in all development applications that to build
on The Big Island they must sell a high percentage of their homes to locals at an affordable rate
first before selling to newcomers because this is an island, and the island's resources need to be
seriously considered?
A stipulation put in to be able to build could help the local homes shortage as well as slow the
increase in population and help with the island's resources.
An example, of a stipulation could be, to build on the Big Island they must sell 50% of their
homes to native Hawaiian locals who have lived on the island for 10 years or more, 25% to
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regular locals who have lived on the island for 10 years or more and all at an affordable rate and
sell 25% to newcomers at whatever rate they want.
A Big Island building stipulation that would offer 75% of homes that developers build, sold to
locals in order for the developer to be approved to build on the island would help the island's
resources because it would slow the population growth to help keep the island's resources safe
for all who live here. The articles above prove that island resources are already have serious issue
and this needs to be taken seriously, ASAP. To have a building stipulation, this would help the
locals who have lived here for years be able to purchase a home before big investors, as well as
help, slow down homes from becoming vacation rentals instead of family homes, and will help
decrease the fast increase in population until the Planning Department can know for sure that the
island's resources can handle a serious increase in population. We ask for a Population
Environmental Impact Report to be done on what would be a safe population for the Big Island
resource landfill, water, sewer, power... as shown in the articles above, resources are already
being affected and it's 2024. Also, there are mostly only 2 lanes throughout the entire Big Island
and some places where cars cannot pull over if an ambulance needs to get by. The traffic has
seriously increased and if the island's population keeps increasing there will be hours and hours
of constant serious traffic in the near future, how will ambulances get by in emergencies? What if
there is a tsunami and people need to get to higher ground? Will they be able to get to higher
ground in time with such an increased in population causing a serious traffic? The island's small
road infrastructure isn't made for a high population and that needs to be taken seriously. What is
a safe population for the Big Island? A Population Environment Impact Report can tell us. We ask
this to be done. We ask for another hospital to be built, as well as a trauma center and dive
chamber to be put on the island to accommodate all types of injuries because of all the years of
new future development that you have already approved. Alii Drive is only two lanes and right
now there are three big developments in progress, and over 10 more acres of land on this street
has just been approved for even more development on this street. Did you research to see how
this one road can handle more development before your approval? Did you research and check
on the island's resources before you approved this and many other developments all over the
Big Island? We stand to slow down development to learn how roads will handle all the new
homes that Hawai'i has already approved for years to come before more development is
approved because right now there is serious traffic issues all over Big Island? We stand to say
what are you doing about the growth in homeless on the island? We stand and ask that this be
taken seriously. What about parking? All of the Big Island towns have parking issues, especially
during high tourist seasons and especially Ironman. With more subdivisions comes more cars
and the island towns are already overcrowded with parking issues. How will parking Improve with
more houses? Is the Hawaii Planning Department considering the parking issues? We stand for
you to find a way to improve the parking issues before approving more development. There are
over 50,000 cesspools on The Big Island. Have these all been upgraded to ensure they will not
pollute the land and ocean? This needs to be addressed ASAP before more development is
approved. We stand that all cesspools be upgraded ASAP to ensure safety for the land and
ocean around the island. If you agree with this info, please sign this petition. There are possibly
thousands of new homes that have been approved for future development and are currently
being built right now. This petition states that we strongly OPPOSE approving any and all new
development applications because the island's resources are currently having serious issues, as
you can see from the articles above, and many more homes have already been approved for
future years developments. We oppose these applicates below, and all new development
applications because it is known that the Big Island's resources can't handle more development
as you can see the island's resource issues from the articles above.
Tax Map Key 7-8-004: 059 & 060 size of property 1.3 Acres
Tax Map Key: (3) 7-3-065:044 approx. 3.418 Acres
Tax Map Key 7-8-010 :077 size of property 74 Acers Keauhou area
Tax Map Key 7-5-003 :023 size of property 129 Acers Queen K Hwy area
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Tax Map Key 7-7-008:121 size of property 11 Acers Alii Drive area Tax Map Key 7-7-004:063 size
of property 8 Acers Alii Drive area Tax Map Key 8-1-007:013 size 1.74 Acres
Tax Map Key 8-1-008: 004 size 6.875 Acres
Tax Map Key 7-9-007: 055 size 2 Acers Tax Map Key 7-5-017:040
Tax Map Key 7-5-019:049, 050,054 size 47.389 Acres
Tax Map Key (3) 8-1-036: 001 & 002 size 54 Acres Tax Map Key 3-709-5-79 size 94 Acres
Tax Map Key (3) 7-5-020:066 9.9 sq. ft
Tax Map Key (3) 7-5-018:071 size 3 Acres
Tax Map Key 7-6-021:016 & 017 size 68 Acres
Tax Map Key 7-6-008: 012 size 10 Acres
Tax Map Key (3) 7-5-018: 095
My website with other petitions is https://bigislandsupport.com/ Thank you for your time.
Issue 5: Where is the "plan" in this Draft General Plan?
There is no 'Future Land Use Map' showing the details addressed in the Plan (it would be a
proposal that would require much effort to enable with State and County approvals (land use,
zoning, ordinances, etc.)). But without a 'to-be' destination, we will be adrift.
Issue 6: Inadequate Implementation Indicators and Monitoring Mechanisms
The Implementation Indicators are inadequate and the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan will not
provide a clear 'report card' on progress. The Plan states the objectives are measurable,
achievable, and time-bound milestones toward achieving the goal. But this plan does not present
the goals and objectives in this form. Below are 'example Indicators' from pg 201 of the Draft. All
public utilities have been lumped under one goal. The objectives are neither specific, measurable,
nor time-bound. The indicators are not aligned with the objectives. (e.g. stating specifics that show
objectives to alleviate our CURRENT and chronic water rationing and power use reduction (rolling
brownouts) situation).
Section 3: Public Utilities EXAMPLE INDICATORS
Goal: Our communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure,
utilities, and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and
effective maintenance practices.
Objectives:
20. Improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of essential infrastructure systems.
21. Strive towards energy self-sufficiency.
22. Advance policies, programs, and initiatives for public and/or private investment in
broadband and telecommunications infrastructure.
23. Increase the protection of existing and potential sources of drinking water.
24. Planned and developed municipal sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth
Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts on water quality.
25. Increase green infrastructure practices. • Utilities are planned for our urban areas • Energy
efficiency• Reduce water consumption per household• Increased use of permeable surfaces and
landscaping Example Indicators
Utilities are planned for our urban areas Energy efficiency
Reduce water consumption per household
Increased use of permeable surfaces and landscaping
The Monitoring Mechanism (see reference below) states that "Measurable indicators, or
performance measures, will be used to monitor progress toward the objectives". Unfortunately,
this Draft does not provide them. It says "...indicators may vary over time as progress is made and
each department is responsible for reporting on the indicators that are relevant". Every objective
should have appropriate and fixed indicators or tracking/reporting will not be reliable or useful
over time. The Evaluation Plan (see reference below) is required to the extent possible: "An
implementation status report annually serving to monitor progress towards achieving the goals
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and objectives identified within the General Plan. To the extent possible, the report should contain
measurable indicators related to the ooals and objectjyes of the plans that make up the County
Planning System." This appears to state that the measurable indicators only apply to goals and
objectives of the supporting plans and not the General Plan. Status reports on the General Plan
progress can be as vague as the GP goals and objectives, themselves. In conclusion, the Draft
General Plan 2045 should not see the light of day. We expect and need better. It doesn't comply
with either County or State requirements for County General Plans.
It violated the principle of clearly showing deltas between the prior adopted Plan and the current
draft amendments; It does NOT provide a coherent destination (what the future is to look like) or
the roadmap of comprehensive actions that will get us there.
It does not link goals, specific objectives that together achieve each goal, with progress measures.
It does not prioritize objectives (actions) to guide implementation planning and budgeting
processes. While there are many good ideas in the Draft, they are too many to complete in 20
years, and they are not organized as stated: Goal > Objective (with indicator) model . Objectives
are too broad (e.g. there is only one objective for Wastewater "Planned and developed municipal
sewer capacity is expanded to serve our Urban Growth Areas and reduce sewage-related impacts
on water quality." It lists 16 Priority Actions (these might actually be mislabeled objectives as there
was no goal included) But not all of them contribute to accomplishing the 'Objective' (three do not
pertain to municipal sewer systems in Urban Growth Areas). There are no progress measure
indicators and they are not time bound (or priority stack ranked, or dependency linked - any of
which would have helped make implementation possible).
oThe Monitoring and Evaluation Plan effectiveness is crippled by not providing prioritized time-
bound objectives/actions with performance measures. (and made worse by its making indicator
measures optional) HULi PAC's concerns are clearly and comprehensively stated. The Draft
General Plan 2045 is NOT a plan we can use. It has no clear vision, no destination, no clear
implementation path. It merely lays the groundwork for future Planning Directors and Mayors to
say they made no promises and they have no accountability.
Issue 1: Noncompliance with 2005 GP Review Process
The largest issue with the Draft General Plan 2045 is that the Planning Director IS NOT COMPLIANT
with the review process mandated in the 2005 General Plan (Q§). The Draft General Plan 2045
does NOT contain the set of recommended amendments. It is a complete rewrite. Amendments
that are linked to the previously adopted General Plan help the community and other reviewers
understand the context and need to justify each amendment, and timestamp each change to be
clear about what was adopted when. The Planning Director shall initiate a comprehensive review
of the General Plan and prepare a set of recommended amendments
• Planning Director shall initiate a comprehensive review not more than 10 years after the
date of adoption of the previous amendments resulting from a comprehensive review. -
• ... and shall be submitted to Council not more than 13 years after the date of adoption of
the previous amendments.
• The Planning Director shall establish a deadline for Council-initiated amendments during
the comprehensive review which shall be not less than 120 days after the initial notice under section
16.1(2).
Issue 2: Noncompliance with State's GP Purpose and Expectation
The second largest issue is that The Planning Director HAS NOT COMPLIED with the State's stated
purpose and expectation of what shall be included in the General Plan.
Pursuant to HRS 226-52 and 226-58 (see reference below) - the County GP includes overall themes,
goals, principals, objectives and policies, as well as implementation priorities and actions to carry
out policies - including land use maps, regulatory measures, standards, programs. projects and
interagency coordination. [Neither clearly define all these terms].
• (4) County general plans that shall indicate desired population and physical development
patterns for each county and regions within each county. In addition, county general plans or
development plans shall address the unique problems and needs of each county and regions
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within each county. County general plans or development plans shall further define the overall
theme, goals, objectives, policies, and priority guidelines contained within this chapter. State
functional plans shall be taken into consideration in amending the county general plans;
The Draft General Plan 2045 is poorly organized and missing needed information; the Planning
Department should have clearly shown what progress has been made over the last 18 years, and
link specific needs, including new State regulations, to the new amendments.
Issue 3: Noncompliance with County GP Purpose
The third largest issue is The Planning Director has NOT COMPLIED with the County's stated
purpose of the General Plan.
Pursuant to Charter section 3-15 (see reference below) ... shall be consistent with proper
conservation of natural resources and the 6 preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites;
the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county; a system of principal
thoroughfares, highways, streets, public access to the shorelines, and other open spaces; the
general locations, relocations and improvement of public buildings, the general location and
extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for water, sewers, light.
power, transit, and other purposes; the extent and location of public housing projects; adequate
drainage facilities ...
No detailed maps were included that referenced the locations or relocations of public
infrastructure or buildings. Many of us expect the General Plan to contain a huge body of fairly
explicit information (e.g. how many people live in each shaded polygon on the maps and how
many subdivided house lots or development project units have been approved in each area, and
what is each utility's and social service's current and projected capacity to serve each area. Where
must growth be limited until the infrastructure can be upgraded to safely support the added
demand). Without this, the General Plan is not usable, other than providing aspirational value
statements (which are not helpful when prioritizing and budgeting CIP projects.)
Issue 4: Does Not Achieve 20 Years Minimum Adequacy
The plan does not achieve minimum adequacy to serve for 20 years.
• Proposes extending the planning horizon by 5 years (initiate the next comprehensive GP
review in 15 and submit to Council by 20).
We are concerned that this Draft is a complete rewrite and doesn't clearly identify what content
comes forward from the 2005 and 2019 and what are new amendments (with clear rationale on
the need or problem they address). We are concerned that it is not actionable. It delegates and
relies on additional detailed Plans (listed below). However, most of these are out-of-date and the
Planning Department has said it will take considerable time to review and update them (years to
decades). This leaves us without a roadmap of what the County intends to do specifically in each
small geographic area (e.g. Small Town Center, Rural Village, Sea Level Rise Exposure Area, Transit
Corridor, Commercial/Industrial Parks, Recreational and Open Space areas) and it doesn't
prioritize and balance competing compelling needs and actions.
CoH Planning System and GP Framework:
GP is first level - contains long-range strategies for the entire County
Implementation mechanisms that carry out the goals, objectives, policies and actions:
CDP (7)
Hamakua (2018)
Hilo (1975) - 'Envision Hilo' (2005 - not adopted by Council) 'Downtown Hilo Multi-Modal Master
Plan (2018 - signed by the Mayor and Public Works and Planning Directors)
Puna (2008)
Ka'u (2017)
Kona (2019)
South Kohala (2008)
North Kohala (2008)
Urban Development Plans (none found online)
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 10 of 40
Special Area Plans (none found online)
Agency Functional Plans - Water, Wastewater, Transportation, Solid Waste, Parks & Rec, Climate
Action (none found online)
The Draft states (pg 206) that Agency Functional Plans shall identify priority issues and specific
needs of the agency and may, but is not required to, be adopted by ordinance or resolution. This
Draft not only delegates and keeps hidden the Agency Plans from the General Plan, these detailed
Agency 'action plans' don't require adoption. And they were not included with the General Plan to
assess their scope and status. Their last revised date and next revision timelines were not included
in the Draft GP. These Agency and CDP and other Plans are critically substantive (or should be).
We are HULi PAC, a group of volunteer, grassroots community advocates living and working on
Hawaii Island. We work with backyard community-based advisors in each moku of our island to
uplift knowledge from our community and deliver community-directed mana'o to sitting
representatives and leaders. Our values encompass a holistic approach to life, emphasizing
harmony, respect, and interconnectedness and include Aloha, 'Ohana, Kuleana, Malama 'Aina,
Pono, Ho'oponopono and Mana. These values form the foundation of Hawaiian culture, guiding
individuals and communities in their daily lives. They serve as a reminder to honor the past,
preserve the land, and nurture relationships with others, fostering a sense of harmony and well-
being. HULi PAC is taking the time to provide comments regarding the County of Hawaii General
Plan 2045 and its process because we have major concerns about the Planning Department's
compliance with the process and purpose of the General Plan, as well as with significant
components, including implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and a lack of specific long
range strategies consistent with the seven adopted Community Development Plans and any
existing Agency Functional Plans. This Draft General Plan 2045 lacks legal and ethical integrity, and
should not see the light of day. We expect, need and demand better. Mayor Mitch Roth has stated
that "The General Plan gives our community the opportunity to navigate the future of our island
home in a way that it is sustainable and truly in the best interest of us all." Yet, we find it dangerous
when, throughout the document, there is no clarification or specification of the words
"stakeholder'' (mentioned 47 times), "government" (mentioned 24 times), and "private and non-
profit agencies" (mentioned 20 times). Furthermore, there is strikingly not a single reference to
homeowners, the general populace or property owners. No partnership is mentioned with
residents and property owners. Not once. HULi PAC holds major concerns that the changes made
to the 2005 General Plan are very difficult to identify due the 2045 GP draft being a full rewrite and
thus the community has had a very difficult time navigating through the process which is designed
to be transparent and comparative, presumably to minimize public concerns. Yet during this
process, the lack of community scoping and marginalized approach to the County's community
outreach felt disingenuous and even sneaky in the poster board presentations, and lack of a
cohesive and detailed presentation in an organized group setting in order for us to understand the
changes made against the 2005 General Plan and the 2019 General Plan amendments. The
inability to list and observe community concerns as a collective adds to the lack of transparency,
and meetings weren't even recorded for future viewing and understanding for residents that
couldn't attend them in person. That alone created a super exclusive forum, far from creating
inclusivity on such a large island and further marginalized our minority community. Even more
glaringly, the design and manner of the Planning Department's community outreach was culturally
inappropriate and uncomfortable for many Kakaka Maoli and other multigenerational kama'aina
residents who are already disenfranchised and marginalized. Auwe, in contrast to the Mayor's
statement, the community did not have the "opportunity to navigate the future of our island home
in a way that is sustainable and truly in the best interest of us all." In addition, we question whether
the Planning Department has collaborated directly with our CDP working groups; in the last public
meeting in 2023, every CDP group articulated the lack of respect and collaboration and their many
years of community-directed input went unheard.
2
Aloha, I am a member of HuliPAC. I've studied its thorough, thoughtful analysis of the proposed
General Plan (attached below). I agree with its conclusion that the General Plan process, and
therefore then its substantive components, are so lacking in transparency, inclusivity, egalitarian
2
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 11 of 40
rigor, and ethical and legal integrity that it must not be adopted. We fault the US Navy for how it
treats us (Red Hill) and we fault the US Army for how it treats us on our own island. And we, our
own local county government, treat ourselves in ways that are wincingly similar. Let's all do better
by returning to our fundamental Hawaiian principles and start again with a General Plan. Let's lead
by example - let's treat each other the way we say we want others to treat us. I believe in us.
I approve the comments below, that will be submitted. Who are the "Stakeholders" and "private
interests" that has been mentioned nearly 50 times in the Hawaii County General Plan2045?
"STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY"
1
In general, the GP2045 has some great content and greatly enhances acknowledgement of cultural
rights and resources. However, for a large number of reasons, many of which have already been
communicated to the Director and PD in comments received to date, it has been practically an
insurmountable challenge for the general public to conduct an effective, informed review of the
GP2045. Without exception, members of the general public have struggled with the Konveio
platform upon which the GP2045 and GPLU map have been placed. It doesn't work with all
browsers, which members of the public had to discover for themselves. In addition, during
community "informational meetings" PD staff admitted they were themselves still learning how to
use the platform and software packages. Sometimes the GPLU map was inaccessible. In addition,
insufficient information and documentation has been provided to allow the general public and
decision-makers to be reasonably assured the existing GP has been fairly considered and
addressed within the GP2045. The "Policy Rationale" document is a start, but should start with the
existing GP and CDPs and work its way to the GP2045 to show the extent to which they have or
have not been considered and/or included. As such, the GP2045 should be withdrawn and
additional work done to enable the general public, the planning commissions, and the county
council to be reasonably informed of all amendments the 2045GP is proposing to make to the
2005GP. In addition, the PD should conduct open forum presentations of the GP2045 by section
and take public comments in real time, as was done when the GP review process was begun back
in 2015. Here are some of the reasons supporting withdrawal of the GP2045 by the Director with a
resubmission after additional work has been done to allow for a true comparison and general
public review of the GP2045 with the existing 2005GP, along with some questions:
1.At some point subsequent to the initial GP review process began in 2015, the Director and/or
Planning Department made the decision to draft the GP2040 with completely new language and
formatting, rather than amending the 2005GP. This decision was unprecedented in light of the fact
the GP review process had been conducted within the same structure and content organization for
over 40 years. The existing GP was passed in 2005, but the GP review process began in 2000 and
was based upon the same structure and content of the 1989 GP. The 1989 GP review process was
based upon the same structure and content as the 1978 GP. The existing GP, 1989 GP and 1978
GP all contained the same elements with each having updated goals, policies, standards, and
courses of action. Even the 1971 GP had a similar structure and content organization.
Therefore, the existing GP is easily compared to the 1971, 1978 and 1989 GPs, as
amended. Those GP review processes also used Ramseyer formatting to clearly identify changes
for the general public and decision-makers, such as the planning commission and county council.
Changes to the LUPAG maps were specifically pointed out and explained. This provided an
enonnous amount of history and institutional planning knowledge and context. Questions: When
and why was the decision made to draft and release in 2019 a completely rewritten general plan,
GP2040? Why weren't obvious challenges to the general public's ability to review and comment
not considered?
2.On February 8, 2022, the Director gave the county council an update on the progress of the GP
review process. Community testimony and county council members expressed concern that it had
been was extremely difficult to compare the existing GP with GP2040 because the formatting,
structure, and language had been completed changed. During his response to the council, the
Director revealed they were doing additional work on GP2040 in order to bring elements of the
CDPs into the GP review process. He "promised" that existing GP would be easier to compare to
the new draft. However, not only is the new draft GP2045 not easier to compare to the existing GP,
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 12 of 40
but it bears no relation whatsoever to first draft GP2040. No explanation has been given by the PD
or the Director, despite numerous complaints and questions from the public. Questions: When and
why was the decision to draft a completely new rewrite of the GP2040? Why didn't the Director
keep his promise to the county council and the general public that GP2045 would be easier to
compare with the existing GP?
3.The PD hired an outside contractor to assist with drafting the GP2045. The PD decided to
use the contractor's online platforms to place the GP2045 and GPLU maps within two separate A.I.-
assisted software packages. This decision was made without regard to the general public's ability
to access and navigate online content, much less to have the time and expertise to learn the two
software packages necessary to read and comment on the GP2045 and GPLU map. The
contractor's online website shows that the platform and software are primarily intended for in-
house work communication for businesses and government agencies. Yes, the platform has been
used on occasion by governmental agencies, but the PD did not follow those agencies' example
of engagement with the public. If it had, the PD would have broken up the GP2045 into sections
to be presented and discussed in open community forums and charrettes, rather than being
pigeon-holed into "informational meetings" that attempted to teach how to navigate to and within
the two software platforms while having the entire GP2045 presented as well. It would have
allowed for open discussion in a community setting, rather than being relegated to an individual
screen. It would have allowed those who do not have the technical expertise or access to
prerequisite technology to actively participate, learn, and comment. At numerous times, members
of the public, including fonner county council members asked that additional public meetings be
held using a more informative, open forum format, such as charrettes. In addition, community-
based working groups could have been organized by the PD with volunteer subject matter experts
to provide support for the PD and the general public in the GP review process. Question: Why did
the PD and/or the consultant not listen to members of the public who suggested the using a
process similar to the successful one that assisted in drafting and getting the Kona CDP passed
within two years? Who were the members of the "Advisory Group" and is there documentation of
the results of their work?
4.At some point during the public comment period, the PD placed a document "Policy Rationale"
on the contractor's platform. Personally, I only learned about this document about three weeks
ago. I do not have a record of receiving notice that this document had been posted and wonder if
an e-mail was sent from the PD to participants who had signed up to receive e-mails. Regardless,
this document lists GP2045 Objectives 4-34 and 38-49 with the Policies listed under each. Beneath
these are specific references to the existing GP, "2019 draft General Plan", and the six Community
Development Plans that support these GP2045 Objectives and Policies. This comparison was done
the exact opposite of the comparison that should have been made. The content of the existing GP
and six CDPs should have been presented with references to where the substance of that content
is (or is not) addressed in the GP2045. Question: Why was the Policy Rationale document not
prepared and presented to allow the public and decision-makers reasonable assurance that
GP2045 effectively addresses all goals, policies, standards, and courses of action within the existing
GP? Why were Priority Actions in the GP2045 not similarly compared to existing GP Courses of
Action?
5.When reviewing the agendas and minutes of the six CDP Action Committees, it is clear the
Planning Department did not sufficiently prioritize and advocate for CDP AC review and comment
on the GP2045. For instance, it was only during the last Kona CDP AC meeting that it was pointed
out the GPLU maps where inconsistent with the Kone CDP maps. Question: Do other CDP maps
conflict with the GPLU map? Will the PD make a better effort to guide and engage with the CDP
AC and their communities?
6.The changes contained within the GPLU map are not specifically identified and explained. People
must learn how to use the "swipe" tool and how to apply data layers in order to identify changes.
The PD should withdraw the GPLU until it is able to present it to the public with all changes clearly
identified and explained, especially since the GP2045 and GPLU map trumps subdivision and
zoning. Question: For instance, why is the Hokuli'a development moved from "Agriculture" to
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 13 of 40
"Rural" when variances to infrastructure have been granted over the past twenty years because it
is designated as agriculture and there is an outstanding petition before the state Land Use
Commission to have the subdivision redistricted? How does this change related to Policy 9.1
"Support rezoning and State Land Use reclassification to Rural in alignment with General Plan Rural
designation."? Are county resources involved? Is the State Land Use District a layer contained
within the GPLU map to allow for review and comment? How does this policy relate to the
proposed county legislation related to Transient Accommodation Rentals and Additional Dwelling
Units? Why have "Open" and "Important Agriculture Lands" been removed when the county has a
Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Committee? Doesn't Priority
Action 9.b. undermine the state Agriculture Land Use District?
7.The GP2045 does not contain the term "scenic corridors", despite the fact that enabling county
legislation was passed in 2006 to provide for scenic corridors and the l 989GP and existing GP
contain language for the highway from the Mamalahoa Highway/Napoopoo Road junction to
Keauhou to be a scenic corridor. Question: Why is this scenic corridor removed from the GP2045?
Why is the Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies report not an Appendix to the
GP2045?
8.During a Kona CDP AC meeting, a representative of the PD stated that the GP2045 was going to
have an Appendix. Question: Will there be an Appendix to the GP2045 and, if so, shouldn't the
release of the GP2045 have been delayed to allow for public review, consideration, and comment
of that part of the GP2045?
9.Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship is a great addition to the GP2045, especially considering
that lack of guidance in the existing GP and the fact there is no thin red line between
constitutionally-protected environment and cultural resources and traditional and customary
practices. Still, it is still a new concept for the county and the general public. Please refer to these
articles related to biocultural Resources. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340167879
Biocultural restoration m Hawaii also achieves core conservation goals and
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359528123 The Legal Framework behind Biocultural
Rights. As the latter article states, "Currently, there are an increasing number of international and
national laws, policies, court cases, declarations, and guidelines concerning indigenous peoples,
local communities, and the protection of the environment, which provide rights regarding access
to land, benefit-sharing, traditional knowledge, carbon emissions, protected areas, and much
more. These rights are essentially fragmented: addressed by different bodies, found in diverse
sources, and differently treated by different courts, Consequently, indigenous peoples and local
communities must engage with a plethora of legal sources to obtain protection for interconnected
aspects of their lives which are all part of the same biocultural landscape." The legal environment
in which this concept exists within the context of current county law needs to be better explored to
ensure that the Policies and Priority Actions under this section manifest the best intentions of
Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship.
Please add my voice to that of the Sierra Club of Hawai'i and HULi PAC, among others, in finding
the Draft General Plan 2045 defective. I attended the original informational meeting in Kailua Kona,
leaving my comments on post-it notes. I endeavored to discuss my perspective and concerns with
representatives there. Since then I have attempted, more than once, to navigate the Konvieo
system holding this confusing document- only to give up in frustration. I could not figure out what
was being changed from the 2005 text or maps, or why changes were being made. I could not find
where community voices were considered. In short, I couldn't find the "plan" in the "General Plan."
I agree with and refer you to HULi PAC's well-researched, comprehensive and comprehensible
document, dated March 29, 2024 (copy attached). To quote from their introduction and
conclusion: "The Draft General Plan 2045 is NOT a plan we can use. It has no clear vision, no
destination, no clear implementation path. It merely lays the groundwork for future Planning
Directors and Mayors to say they made no promises and they have no accountability." "... [it] should
not see the light of day."
2
I agree with these comments. Please read "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY" 2
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 14 of 40
I do not live on Hawaii, but am concerned about what is happening there. I have visited Hawaii
multiple times and would like to return. But the rezoning they are currently planning takes away
the people's rights. I agree with the comments in the following PDF "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR
HAWAII COUNTY"
2
Kamehameha Schools (KS) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments through the
community review process for the draft General Plan 2045. As a private charitable, educational
trust endowed by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, KS' mission is to create educational
opportunities in perpetuity to improve the capability and well-being of people of Hawaiian
ancestry. KS respectfully submits the following overall comments to the draft General Plan 2045:
•Format: The new format is appreciated, and the policies seem applicable across the island.
•Community Engagement: KS is appreciative of the continued community engagement
throughout this process, including the large landowner meetings. We look forward to the next
round of engagement after the Draft comments are processed.
•Native Hawaiian Culture: We appreciate that the County has embraced and continues to include
Native Hawaiian terms and concepts into the General Plan including the utilization of traditional
practices and place-based knowledge to guide climate related priorities and decision- making.
2
The incomprehensible comprehensive 'draft' General Plan update. Because I live 'off grid' and am
challenged with electronic communications, back in September, I sought out and found a 'hard
copy' of the plan at my local library that I could more easily browse and take notes from. Since then
I have found differing statements and texts between the online version and the printed 'draft'
version. Not so easily comparable. So, which one is the working copy I should comment from?
Indeed, the online version is difficult to navigate, takes time to learn, doesn't have a traditional
index, and seems tangled up with jargon that only planning professionals can likely decode. Not
user friendly! I find the mind bending jargon largely predisposed to 'weasel words' such as: 'may'...
(instead of shall), 'encourage' ... , 'promote' ... ,'enhance' ... ,'consider requiring' ... ,'recognize the
importance of ... , etc., etc., rendering each dependent clause utterly useless - statements with little
or no actionable impacts. Is this a product of 'Artificial Intelligence'? Or is the use of such mealy
mouthed terms designed to give cover to the whims of present and future decision makers to
ignore or override the sensibility of the texts and ultimately defer to the prerogatives of strong
political wills - often under the influence of moneyed interests (?)... Or as it is colloquially known,
'business as usual'(!)
Dubious Assumptions
I believe the 'business as usual' formula is built upon illusions of stability and unrealistic
expectations of perpetual growth. Or so it seems, as it is deeply implied in this document.
Furthermore, I would venture that capitalism's demand for endless growth is incompatible with a
livable human future; that the Industrial and Digital Revolutions have not only changed our
relationships to each other and created unrealistic material expectations; they have fundamentally
changed the way most people interact with the nonhuman world - for the worse! Such that,
"sustainable development" is just a modern oxymoron! This plan purports to extend its vision and
influence (a 'roadmap' is the often used analogy) all the way to 2045. Yet, most of the world's
scientists tell us that by 2030 (only 5 years and 9 months away) we will already have come to the
point of no return, ushering in the worst impacts of human induced climate catastrophes. Simple
assumptions of incremental changes with policies being leisurely hashed out in open committees
according to this 'roadmap', are likely wholly inadequate to the coming realities of 2030, let alone
2045. On an island in the middle of the Pacific, the substantive impacts to our known way of life are
entirely reasonable to question more thoroughly. And so, in what way might this General Plan do
justice to such existential considerations? Is the prospect for "De-growth" even possible for
discussion? In light of cataclysmic 'climate change' we should be planning for a major down-
powering of human societies, a changeover of institutions and certainly, economic bases. On this
island, we could begin to recognize as an alternative (or 'default') economic construct, the values
and skills within a 'subsistence economy' - which even today has some devoted practitioners
desperately trying to hang on to; despite the overlaid 'mainland' acculturation championed by the
2
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 15 of 40
General Plan. And how about that 'carrying capacity' discussion? If not now, when? I'll stop here
because it must be obvious that my views are well ensconced in a minority of minority thoughts
and considerations, perhaps entirely out of the range of this project. But I do hope it will serve
some deeper provocation to make this or any plan truly workable. As the saying goes: 'Plan the
work, (but) work the plan!' That is something I could agree with.
Please add my voice to that of the Sierra Club of Hawai'i and HULi PAC in finding the Draft General
Plan 2045 is inadequate. I do not recall any other public meetings about the draft General Plan
since this document was released in September 2023. Given that there have been at least seven
cancellations of the Leeward Planning Commission (LPC) in the past 12 months, with four of these
meetings cancelled due to a lack of quorum, it would have made sense to bring the draft General
Plan to the LPC for presentation and discussion with the public and LPC, especially if the Planning
Department was aware that a quorum wasn't possible. There appears to be a disconnect between
the Planning Department and the public with respect to the presentation of the draft Plan and
informing the public about its content and format. This isn't how a "transparent" department
operates. I considered not responding about this draft document since I have attempted, more
than once, to navigate the Konvieo system with regards to this document. I absolutely gave up in
frustration. As others have said, I could not figure out what was being changed from the 2005 text
or maps, or why changes were being made. I could not find where community voices were
considered. In short, I couldn't find the "plan" in the "General Plan." I agree with and refer you to
the response prepared by the HULi PAC's well-researched, comprehensive and comprehensible
document, dated March 29, 2024. I am not attaching this document as you have already received
it. Some statements are so appropriate, it's better to restate them in their entirety: "The Draft
General Plan 2045 is NOT a plan we can use. It has no clear vision, no destination, no clear
implementation path. It merely lays the groundwork for future Planning Directors and Mayors to
say they made no promises and they have no accountability." "... [it] should not see the light of
day." I'm concerned that Mayor Roth believes the leadership of the Planning Department is
appropriate. The state of the draft General Plan tells me otherwise. I cannot in good conscience
support a Mayoral candidate who abdicates his responsibility to a Planning Department that
prepares such an inferior long range Planning product. Please revise this document; please, also,
seriously consider appointing new leadership within the Planning Department, before the election.
Without such a change, I will not vote for the Mayoral incumbent. There is little accountability in
and of the Planning Department, and the proposed draft General Plan shows this to be the case.
2
The most important issue that should always remain as our primary concern is land use. Islands
comprised of limited land and resources MUST be preserved or it will not be able to sustain life,
ANY AND ALL urban development SHOULD NOT even be considered nor sold to foreigners (any
individual or entity that is NOT of kanaka maoli descent), but have opportunity to lease the land at
market value or provided a discounted price if attributing directly to the growth or wealth of the
residents in the area such as a farm, school, care center, affordable housing, elderly community
living etc.) The islands have more than enough luxury hotels, dwellings and golf courses that
occupy confiscated kanaka maoli generational lands, which opposes growth and sustainability of
the "real luxury" which is the land that will provide abundantly for everyone if nurtured, preserved
and respected. Kanaka maoli understood the connection between sustainable practices, efficient
and regulated consumption of resources that are directly related to what the land and waters will
yield. Any disruption to the high-altitude ecosystems will negatively impact each descending
ecosystem concluding in our shores. If climate change is a relevant issue that needs immediate
attention, a nuclear power plant or data storage facility would be the least ineffective and most
detrimental solution; conversely, planting more trees, farm implementation to feed the residents
and tourists, alternatives to energy generation using solar, wind, ocean currents, biofuel and
geothermal all viable methods to reduce negative impacts as opposed to proposed methods.
Community meetings should be held in every district quarterly to address concerns and keep
residents well-informed and provide adequate feedback on propositions concerning the land that
feeds and nourishes them.
6
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 16 of 40
Military occupation in Hawaii has been detrimental for decades; of course the military resides for
our "safety" but at what cost and at what benefit other than existing as a strategic location against
foreign threat. Our "safety" has costed the loss of an entire island, Kaho'olawe, used as a test site
and left for decay after destroying the water table with a single bomb. $350 million dollars did not
revitalize this island that was used as a navigational center for kanaka maoli. Makua valley will never
be rehabilitated for residential use and the residents of Red Hill have suffered tremendously due
to inadequate and unethical practices by our "safety" providers. Pearl Harbor, H3, Pohakuloa are
just a few locations amongst the long list of our limited resources that are continually misused.
1
The General Plan should not be implemented on Hawai'i Island neither taken into consideration.
Constructed by vague language lacking transparency and clear definition of parties involved in the
initiation (i.e. stakeholders, government agencies, non-profit, private entities) proves the vast
majority of the population is or will be "informed" but not have a substantial impact on the
decisions that affect their well-being. We've seen countless failures of "planning" and the primary
recipients of these failures were and still are the residents of our islands.
1
in general I agree with the comments below (See PDF) regarding the Hawaii general plan... this
needs to be redone in order to deal with the concerns that I and others have... Mahalo
1
I and my voting colleagues and friends on Big Island are in total agreement with the following
General Comments: "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY”
1
My first question is who wrote the plan? Why is it so full of vague language and undefined terms?
Why isn't there an appendix, index or even a table of contents.. Why isn't there a way to search
within the 212 pages of the plan. Who are the "stake holders mentioned at least 47 times? Why is
their no mention of property owners? It seems our right to own property is being violated.
1
I'm very concerned about this general plan and it's intended impact on our rural population here
on Big Island. I don't feel that it makes sense to move people off their agricultural land and into
cluster communities and I disagree wit this plan. Thank you for reading
1
I believe this "Agenda" is important enough to every islander, resident and citizen of Hawaii. It has
become more and more apparent that every "Agenda" that has entered our world of late has been
crafted to Globalize our culture resulting in less and less sovereignty and sustainability for every
island family. We have seen agendas before ie: Scenic Byways, Agenda 2030 etc., resulting in more
than desired Government over-reach. I believe Hawaii should be stewards of Gods Law and
urgently rebuke reduction in the Agricultural Zoning at any cost. Perhaps we just shouldn't follow
the money. Perhaps we should set an example of Sovereignity, true sustainability and protect our
cultural heritage not giving way to the pressures of the industrialized world's impetulant masters. I
implore all who participate in these Agendas... be wise to keep our Sovereignty, please uphold all
the Agricultral Zones with no further degredations.
1
I agree with the comments found at this link: Who are the "stakeholders" that are written about
nearly 50 times in this plan and what do they have a stake in? Please consider input from local
Hawaii residents more than you consider input from those outside of the state and country.
"STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY"
1
Agree with comments from this link: "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY" 1
" I agree with the comments found at this link: " As a resident and taxpayer, I want to know: Who
are the "stakeholders" that are written about nearly 50 times in this plan and what do they have a
stake in? "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY"
1
"I agree with the comments found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/Hawaiiplan45 ....
Who are the "stakeholders" that are written in 47x in this plan and what do they have stake in? who
are the land owners, men and women who live in Hawaii who are helping write this general plan?
doesn't seem like any man or women in general would agree with most of this plan. thank you,
"STEWRDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY"
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 17 of 40
As a resident of Kailua Kona, and a property owner, I am writing in to urgently protest this so called
General Plan. In its opacity, it is a thinly veiled open ticket for unchecked development. There is no
power to homeowners and no real safeguards for our failing infrastructure. The plan is a brazen
slap in the face to anyone seeking to develop sustainable energies, safe roads, safe and easy
ingress and egress from our already overcrowded and over built congested areas. Our safety and
longevity is at stake. Trash this farce and include, in plain sight, the real stakeholders of our
community.
1
What a lot of hooey. I'm sure one or more people spent a lot of time on this but having lived through
other Hawaii General Plans and helped work on one in my area, these things tend to come to
naught and I don't see this as achievable either. Money talks and policies tend to follow the money
1
I agree with the comments found at the link: "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY" 1
I agree with the comments found at this link: Who are the 50 "stakeholders" mentioned in this
proposal, and what do they have a stake in? "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY"
1
SB3203/HB1630 I see that planning director Kern has supported these bills. That support is ill-
timed. Increased density is what smarter growth requires but not without sufficient, supportive
infrastructure. His support for the 100-room hotel in downtown kailua-kona was an extreme and
damning cart before the horse decision made by him and the Leeward Planning Commission.
Who'll pay for the mess and in more ways than 1O? The public with unbearable traffic snarls,
polluted water, decimated nearshore reefs, and, likely, more social problems associated with rats-
in-a-cage non- planning. The fact that the Grassroots Institute supported those bills should also be
cause for pause. My point regarding the GP: I have not read the entire document, but I ask that
where there is mention of higher density housing, prior and concurrent infrastructure be
demanded alongside those new entitlements. Otherwise, you're dooming residents to increasing
misery as they lose the more humane benevolence our island exuded when I first arrived almost
50 years ago.
9
Aloha County of Hawai'i Planning Department, I am submitting this testimony to reserve the right
to make future comments on the proposed General Plan. The current website, and its mechanism
to provide input, are not user friendly and provide rosy sounding generalizations over actionable
details. I attended the kick-off meeting in Kona, and found the same thing--the public was
presented with pre-formulated pablum devoid of specifics. Until we see an actual Plan, it is not
terribly meaningful to provide comments. Thank you for your consideration.
1
I agree with most of what is said in the following comments found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f Kll9dQDDY5XM iviH2kZP9DJ NXaQs6o/view regarding the
shortcomings,deficiencies and questionable changes to the proposed County of Hawaii General
Plan 2045. Please do not pass this plan without addressing these and putting forth a document
worthy of being a 20 year plan for our home. Planning for our county should be rooted in what is
best for our community and what our community wants; not what is being dictated to us by entities
and organizations far removed from us. Please remember to serve the the people you represent
and not the powers that do not know our place or our history or where we want to direct our future.
**COULD NOT OPEN LINK***
1
I agree with the comments in the Link above. These plans are riddled with hidden agendas. These
agendas are not representing the will of the people. Thank you for your consideration.
"STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY"
1
I agree with the comments in the Link above. These plans are riddled with hidden agendas. These
agendas are not representing the will of the people. Thank you for your consideration.
"STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I COUNTY”
1
Planning Department, I agree with the below comments. "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAI'I
COUNTY"
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 18 of 40
The goals of the General Plan synthesize those concepts and value statements adopted by
ordinance in the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. The appendix includes tables used to complete the
goals, including the source material from the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. p 8
At the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Kono Community Development Plan Action Committee,
after the meeting officially adjourned, but most members were still in the Zoom meeting, I asked
Planning staff where to find the appendix. They said it was not done yet, but would be completed
and made available later. I asked again several weeks later while visiting the Planning Department
and was told the appendix was still not done. In 30 years of commenting on Environmental impact
Assessments/ Statements, Planning Department applications, and measures before County
Council and the State Legislature, I've never seen a comment deadline close before appendixes
were made available. The comment deadline should be extended until 60 days after the appendix
is completed, posted online, and available in print at libraries and the Planning Department.
9
In the 2045 General Plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards are specific to the actions
through which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated
or adopted because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with
the County Charter §3-15. p. 7 The language is garbled. Clarify what is meant by "specific to the
actions" and "because, as"
8
The 2045 General Plan... contains no authority to change previously existing subdivisions or
zoning. p. 6 The LUPAG maps contain numerous zoning changes.
7
...the following Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the American Institute of Certified
Planners were used to guide 2045 General Plan review process: We shall provide timely, adequate,
clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all affected persons and to governmental
decision makers. p. 4 This was not done, so the comment deadline needs to be extended. The
Konveio version of the plan required watching a video to learn how to comment, limited comments
to "bubbles" for specific places in the text, did not allow search or copy functions, and reserved the
right to edit comments. All this made it almost impossible to make in-depth comments. The PDF
version which did allow in-depth comments was not available until months into the comment
period, and the e-mail address for comments was not available till even later. Language is often
garbled. The text constantly switches between declarative and imperative sentences. In one
section, it appears blocks of text were moved to the wrong place. There are several "notes" where
it appears someone planned to add information later. Most acronyms are not defined. Technical
terms are not explained. There is no table of contents, so readers have to scroll through the entire
document to understand how it is organized and what the priorities are. "Example indicators" are
placed at the end of the document, instead of near the relevant goals, making the material harder
to understand. The numbering system is confusing-the two categories under "Thriving, Diverse,
and Regenerative Economy" are labelled '7" and "8" instead of "1" and "2".
5
The plan includes many sound ideas, and reflects a tremendous amount of effort by staff But,
unfortunately, it also proposes harmful initiatives, and the rollout and presentation have severely
curtailed vital public input. First of all, to refocus priorities, this subtitle should be added:
"Stewardship Plan for Hawai'i County". Second, the plan should not be finalized until the State
legislative session is over, the Governor is done signing/ vetoing bills, and the override deadline
has passed, so any changes in relevant regulations can be accommodated. The plan includes many
worthwhile goals addressing climate change, sustainability, resilience, and a regenerative
economy. But major, harmful initiatives are casually proposed with little justification: nuclear
power; waste to energy; hydrogen use; carbon sequestration; mixed-use land zones; and
weakening of requirements for concurrency, cultural impact assessments, Planned Use
Developments, and Land Use Commission oversight. The environmental and cultural impacts of
tourism and astronomy are inadequately addressed. And the use of "NIMBY" (not in my backyard)
shows lack of respect for legitimate citizen concerns. The maps provide a wealth of information,
but that information is difficult to access, and there is no explanation of why changes were made.
The document has the feel of a first draft, not the professionally prepared, carefully considered
document needed to guide the County through the next decade or more. It lacks a detailed list of
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 19 of 40
contents, tables, and maps. The imperative and declarative voice alternate randomly. Syntax is
sometimes garbled. Few acronyms are explained. There are notes indicating information may be
added later. An appendix is missing. Concerns raised here and by other commenters need to be
addressed, and another round of public meetings held, before the plan goes to the Planning
Commissions and County Council.
My letter is my petition https://www.change.org/p/help-prioritize-big-island-development-to-
keep- island-s-resources-safe-for-all We stand to keep The Big Island in a place where the Island's
resources are safe for the entire population and visitors. We ask that you look at all these articles
about Big Island resources and learn that the island's resources are limited and are already being
affected negatively. Please, read these articles and learn through other sources as well, how all the
development that has already been built, and the many years of new development that has already
been approved for the future, will affect the island's resources. We stand and ask that you stop
before approving more and more developments and learn what is happening to the island's
resources and what will happen to the island's resources after the years of development that is
already scheduled for the future. Because a lot of development is having negative impacts on the
island's resources as of today. What will future development do to the island's resources if there
are already resource issues happening today? Please, learn how to take island resources seriously
because you have approved many more years of development to come and today the island's
resources are having issues. What will the future look like if you don't start taking island resources
seriously?
1
I am stating my objection to the time limit for public comment being at close of the day today. I
feel that County administration should be answerable to the many flaws we are seeing in the
document and in the delivery to the public as well as to the access to a portal to comment. Further
when the platform used for commentary itself has stated terms and conditions that the comments
can be edited, this immediately breaches public trust. The rollout and presentation has not
followed standard for procedure of an important document. This subtitle should be added:
"Stewardship Plan for Hawai'i County" not "Planning for a Sustainable Future." We note that
unfortunately the word 'sustainable' is becoming associated with a partisan agenda and
irresponsible fiscal policy. Since this is a County document it should reflect no partisan agenda.
Neither should it have any symbol such as a Star of David used as a graphic device. This is not a
carefully considered document needed to guide the County through the next decade or more.
The way this has been presented in the community in digital form has severely curtailed vital public
access. The poor rollout of the Plan and the obstacles to accessing commentary section have
compromised the required process ensure transparency and for there to be legitimate levels of
endorsement from the community on Hawaii Island for the County General Plan. The maps provide
a wealth of information, but that information is difficult to access. There is no explanation of why
changes were made. A comment deadline should never close before appendixes are made
available. The comment deadline should be extended until 60 days after the appendix is
completed, posted online, and available in print at libraries and the Planning Department. Because
this has been overlooked, there remain legal objections to these proceedings. Concerns raised
below and by other commenters need to be addressed, and another round of public meetings
held, before the plan goes to the Planning Commissions and County Council. Shoddy presentation
(Is poorly written and lacks professional appearance for reasons below). It lacks a detailed list of
contents, tables, and maps (see the appendix, last page) The imperative and declarative voice
alternate randomly. Syntax is sometimes garbled. Few acronyms are explained. There are notes
indicating information may be added later. •An appendix is missing. The plan should not be
finalized until the State legislative session is over so that any changes in relevant regulations can
be accommodated. Major, harmful initiatives are casually proposed with little justification: nuclear
power; waste to energy; hydrogen use; carbon sequestration; mixed-use land zones; Further, this
document weakens requirements for concurrency, cultural impact assessments, Planned Use
Developments, and Land Use Commission oversight. The environmental and cultural impacts of
tourism and astronomy are inadequately addressed. The use of "NIMBY" (not in my backyard)
shows lack of respect for legitimate citizen concerns. Further comments are included below that
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 20 of 40
were presented to me by Cory and which reflect my concerns. I have reviewed her objections and
I endorse that they reflect a reasonable assessment of flaws in this document that need to be
addressed.
"I agree with the following comments" Please take these into consideration when revising this faulty
plan and let me know in the future what you plan to do. "STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR HAWAII
COUNTY"
1
Authority Limits of the General Plan The 2045 General Plan contains no authority to change
previously existing subdivisions or Zoning without collective collaboration. It's hard for community
collaboration when the document contains obscure and garbled language. Clarify what is meant
by "specific to the actions" and "because, as" Hawai'i Island Goals The goals of the General Plan
synthesize those concepts and value statements adopted by ordinance in the 2005 General Plan
and CDPs. The appendix includes tables used to complete the goals, including the source material
from the 2005 General Plan and CDPs. page 8
9
The LUPAG maps contain numerous zoning changes. Regulatory Implementing Actions in the 2045
General Plan, future land use maps, policies, and standards are specific to the actions through
which zoning ordinances, subdivisions, and public improvements or projects are initiated or
adopted because, as they must conform to and implement the general plan in accordance with the
County Charter §3-15.
8
The comment period needs to be extended, the document is too vague and the code of ethics and
professional conduct of the American Institute of Certified Planners shall provide timely, adequate,
clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all affected persons and to governmental
decision makers. See page 4.
5
Overall the plan lacks presentation of relevant issues, proposes some harmful initiatives, contains
garbled language, and lacks vital public input. There is no clear plan for strengthening
infrastructure and power grid against space weather. Stakeholders are stated in the document 47
times. Who are the Stakeholders and Partners with the government? What private and nonprofit
agencies are involved in this process? It is deeply concerning that partnership with landowners and
the general public is not stated anywhere. The plan should not be finalized until the State legislative
session is over, the Governor is done signing/vetoing bills, and the override deadline has passed
to allow for accommodation of relevant changes. The document appears to be a template handed
down from the United Nations Agenda 21 initiative that is using human based climate change
models to implement a one world government attempting to "capture" local governments.
Thousands of scientists have come forward in recent years explaining that the human effect on
climate is minuscule as compared to the sun. The document contains no explanation how the
county will handle a breakdown of critical infrastructure (supply chain, energy, communications)
due to impending space weather/solar events in which the Federal Government has been
diligently preparing for. This document lacks sufficient detail in many areas to include tables, and
maps. Syntax is sometimes garbled. Few acronyms are explained. There are notes indicating
information may be added later. The table of contents and appendix are missing. Concerns raised
by commenters need to be addressed, and another round of public meetings held, before the plan
goes to the Planning Commissions and County Council.
1
Please consider appointing a team comprised of "stewards" of the community to review and re-
write this document. We need a plan that is by the people and for the people. Providing comments
on the county version live document is a very cumbersome process and not user friendly. Below
are relevant comments combined from a few county residents including myself.
1
Aloha no kakou, I am writing this email in reference to the Draft General Plan 2045. I live in
Ho'okena, South Kona and represent the ohana and communities in the Ho'okena district. Our
501(c)(3) community organization- Kauhako 'Ohana Association (KOA) is striving to protect our
traditional fishing grounds which includes the coral reefs and 'opelu ko'a which provides our
families with the ability to harvest the ono of our ocean and shoreline to feed their ohana and pass
on traditions. Most of us are not ma'a to the intricacies of government actions which leaves us with
no voice in how our 'aina and kai are managed. Our efforts with protecting our mea'ai from the
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 21 of 40
ocean is directly related to how our 'aina is used. We have no voice or say in this and anyone who
purports to represent us in any land decisions have not made a good faith effort to involve our
communities in the Draft General Plan 2045. We implore this Planning Team to delay any decisions
regarding this plan until ourfamilies are made aware of the ramifications of the approval of this
General Plan and are able to provide educated and informed responses to it. From what I
understand the amendments to this plan were not adopted which is concerning to us. Our South
Kana coastline is being carved up for development and this will negatively impact our oceans and
shoreline. This form of genocide has been conducted everywhere in Hawaii leaving Native
Hawaiians with extremely limited resources to practice our culture, fish, hunt, and gather la'au for
our families. Please consider this request and allow us to be responsible stakeholders for this 'aina
where our kupuna and their kupuna have lived for generations.
I have viewed the proposed Hawaii General Plan 2045 and find many unsettling and disconcerting
elements. As a consequence I find that I appreciate and support the critique posted here: https:
//tinyurl. com/HawaiipIan45 A substantial portion of the plan addresses the purported threats of
climate change, something to which I have strong objections. The so labeled "climate change",
as referred to in the General Plan, is the latest iteration of a failed model, this model having gone
through several changes of name as the cataclysmic projections failed to materialize. Climate
change has historically been cyclical. Yes, we have some real threats to climate stability at present,
but they are not caused by carbon. The proposed carbon sequestering plants are incredibly
dangerous, failure of which would greatly accelerate a feared extinction event. Mitigation of
"climate change" efforts are intrusive, costly, ineffective, and destructive. I find alarming the
references to partnerships with various agencies and entities for funding and implementing
planning goals. Why do we want to give up our sovereignty to outside interests? This especially
since the so called sustainable plans are truly boondoggles. Why not call on resilient cultural
practices. Why do we want to erase our unique cultural heritage for a soulless techno plan? Why
not call on the people of Hawaii to rise up to the challenges facing us. Small communities can work
more efficiently and effectively to solve our problems. Top down invites graft, waste, loss of our
unique culture and of our individual freedoms.
1
I am so disappointed in this very general nonspecific General Planning 2045 Plan. My first objection
is that there are no table of contents.
2
Hello; I could not find the comment secton regarding land use so I will post my comments here. As
a Realtor for quite some time, I find our zoning rules very wasteful. For example, we must use our
zoning codes more effeciently to get more people onto properties. And to this I believe we need
much more 7,500 square feet residential lots, This would not only place more people onto lands
but would help many older people who want to move from their present homes but do not want
large lots due to the maintenance, etc. This is also true to our Ag zoned properties where noone
or most people are not going to farm but they have this huge property with a large home; very
wasteful of our precious resource (land.) Thank you
6
Aloha, I am a full time, longtime resident of Hawai'i Island. I am totally against your Hawaii General
Plan Proposal. Sounds just terrible. Resident for 23 yrs on Hawaii Island. My Beloved Home
1
Aloha, I have some concerns and questions that I would like to add to the public comments. Not
long ago I read the old 2005 plan, noticing the terms used throughout. It spoke of public benefits,
safety, community wellness, facilities, and much more. What draft plans have been worked on over
the last few decades? This plan mentions stakeholders and government agencies dozens of times
but never defines them ... Nor does it mentions the public and residents per se. It sounds like
cookie-cutter verbiage from U.N. Agenda mandates. Not good at all. I feel our people are not
protected or included in this.
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 22 of 40
At the urging of a neighbor, I've been looking more closely at the new General Plan document. I
see many comments have already been registered regarding vague language, undefined terms,
questionable authorship, and lack of citizen input, just to name a few. What has profoundly struck
me is how much this disturbingly resembles what has historically done the most damage to the
Island's environment. I'm speaking of the past "strip mining" of agricultural land with mono crops
exported for profit instead of feeding the people. I'm also talking about industry's use of the islands
for various experiments around pest control. The document speaks of "stakeholders" and
"regenerative visitor industry," while glaringly not mentioning the peoples and citizens. Who are
these entities? What does this have to do with sustainability? Who will benefit from all these new
building structures to cluster people into new communities? How is all this new building of benefit
to the environment? Is this a plan to conveniently sequester the population away from the most
productive of lands, open it up to these unknown entities, and put an end to the pesky movement
to bring back the more sustainable and equitable native Hawaiian practices? I strongly urge you to
completely start this process over, and bring in citizens and groups who are truly dedicated to
sustainability. This proposed plan would set back progress already made to return the Islands to
its self-sustaining beauty. Instead of adopting a plan from outside the islands, Hawaii should be
exporting some of the traditional ways of respecting the aina.
1
I have major concerns about the Planning Department's Draft General Plan 2045. The current plan
is a complete rewrite of the General Plan 2005. It is very confusing and a difficult to navigate, it
appears designed that way. The lack of community reach out seems deliberate, as it is very hard to
understand the changes to the plan. There are many things within the document that are not clearly
defined. Mentioned in the General Plan, are words such as "stakeholder" (47 times), "private and
non profit agencies" (20 times) and "government" (24 times).There is no clarification or
specification of these terms. There is also no signal reference to homeowners, property owners or
the general populace. Not once is a partnership mentioned with residents and property owners.
The Planning Director is not compliant with the review process mandated in the 2005 General Plan.
The current Draft General Plan 2045 does not contain the set of recommended amendments. It is
a complete rewrite. The Planning Director has also not complied with the State's stated purpose
and expectation of what shall be included in the General Plan. It is missing critical information. The
Planning Director has also not complied with the County's stated purpose of the General Plan. No
detailed maps were included, no explicit information given. There is no table of contents and no
appendix. There are many concerns raised by community members that need to be addressed.
The comment period should be extended and another round of public meetings need to be held,
before the plan goes to the Planning Commissions and County Council. I am also concerned about
the addition of Nuclear Energy in the Draft General Plan. In the Hawaii State Constitution, it states
in Section 8, NO nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed
of in the State without the prior approval of two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature. The
2045 Plan is lacking many features of the 2005 Plan that provided information and facilitated
understanding. These issues (and many more, brought up by other community members) need to
be addressed before the Plan moves forward. Our island community needs to have a seat at the
table.
1
Aloha mai kakou, This letter is to introduce you to the Kohala Culture and History Advisory Group,
who made extensive comments on the County Development Plan. Our mission is to protect,
preserve, and perpetuate historic and cultural resources in North Kohala for today and future
generations. We formed in August 2023 to advise the North Kohala Community Development
Advisory Group's planning process and also to serve as a communication hub for the county and
other culture and history groups in North Kohala. As an advisory group, we will serve as a point of
contact for any questions or consultation that involve development and governmental issues
pertaining to cultural practices surrounding burials, natural resources, ahupua'a land use practices,
and also sensitive cultural sites. Culture and historic preservation were identified to be of utmost
importance to the Kohala community in the 2008 North Kohala CDP and continue to be today.
Culture is prioritized in the overall goal and vision of the plan which states: "In order to honor and
preserve an unparalleled historical heritage that includes heiau, ancient settlements, and other
1
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 23 of 40
sites of great significance to the Hawaiian people, and its uniquely multi-ethnic community, North
Kohala shall be regarded as a Cultural and Historical Preservation Community. Thus, all decisions
regarding the development of land shall be required to assess and disclose their potential impact
on the cultural sites and resources within the district, and shall be in keeping with the heritage and
culture of North Kohala."
We are cultivating an extensive catalog of cultural sites that includes kahu/points of contact where
available, and oral and written histories regarding these sites. This list is in addition to the State and
National Historic Registers, in order to help create and draft policies for cultural preservation or
serve any other related needs that arise. We will also be assisting, supporting and promoting
educational efforts and programming for various cultural groups in Kohala. Our group meets
monthly and on an as-needed basis. We kindly request your support in upholding the cultural
values of our precious community and seeking inclusion in governmental and community planning
processes as a cultural advisory body for North Kohala. Please contact us with any questions,
concerns, or comments.
I am writing to say that the latest version of the general plan for 2045 and sustainability is more
poorly written than an eight grader's homework. It does not bode well for our future on the island
in any truly meaningful capacity. Please reject it and start from scratch without trying to patchwork
it together from bits, backups, and barely understood reasoning.
2
It is apparent that the county planning department is going along with the United Nations
Sustainable Development Plan for the 21st century. Also known as "Agenda 21", also known as
"Agenda 2030". The plan is to upend and change everything about the way that we live. "Man
made climate change" is the excuse. You are unelected officials making all of these decisions for
the rest of us. Why are there not many public meetings to inform the public about these plans? I
think that most people have no idea of what you folks are planning. It seems as though it's by
design, to not inform the public. I'd like to know what evidence you have of "man made" climate
change? Part of the plan seems to be to get us out of our cars., and to get people to live in densely
packed neighborhoods. The language used in the document is dumb. For instance, "social justice",
and "promote racial and economic integration". Really? Everyone knows that Hawaii is a melting
pot of diversity. What are "progressive land use strategies"? How can anyone reach "zero waste"?
What is a "regenerative visitor industry"? What in the world is a "climate resistant island"? By the
way, some of us know about weather manipulation/modification. No thanks to your GENERAL
PLAN 2045! Thanks for your attention to this matter.
2
I see that planning director Kern has supported these bills. That support is ill-timed. Increased
density is what smarter growth requires but not without sufficient, supportive infrastructure. His
support for the 100-room hotel in downtown kailua-kona was an extreme and damning cart before
the horse decision made by him and the Leeward Planning Commission. Who'll pay for the mess
and in more ways than 1O? The public with unbearable traffic snarls, polluted water, decimated
nearshore reefs, and, likely, more social problems associated with rats-in-a-cage non- planning.
The fact that the Grassroots Institute supported those bills should also be cause for pause. My point
regarding the GP: I have not read the entire document, but I ask that where there is mention of
higher density housing, prior and concurrent infrastructure be demanded alongside those new
entitlements. Otherwise, you're dooming residents to increasing misery as they lose the more
humane benevolence our island exuded when I first arrived almost 50 years ago.
2
1. Mauka to Makai
The plan needs a mauka to makai perspective with the understanding the what happens up mauka
ends up in the makai;
2. Historical Timeline
The historical timeline of land management described in the plan starts with statehood. This should
be amended to include the successful historical land management practices that sustained the
people of Hawai'i for centuries before statehood in 1959 and well before western contact;
3. Safe Spaces/Trauma Informed Care
2
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 24 of 40
The plan needs to closely address the needs of public safety and well-being, identifying safe
spaces and the solutions to property crime, domestic violence, human trafficking, missing persons,
child abuse, murder, sex assault, drug addiction, houselessness, and how the county can provide
safe spaces for the most vulnerable in our society such as the disabled and victims of violence.
As a PhD research scientist from the University of California and as an OMO doctor serving this
island for 43 years, I would like to make several points that need to be remedied about this plan: It
has been taken generally from Agenda 21 to 45 from the United Nations which was written by a
socialist not of our country and a communist. I have studied it extensively and it plans to take away
all ownership of property and subject us to a digital social surveillance system as you can find in
communist China. They cover-up everything by calling it sustainable development which we know
it is not. It requires depopulation of a large portion of our people on the Earth. We do not want to
live in crowded housing developments that you are planning to put up. Nor do we want to live in
communist cities that have surveillance and monitor our actions, that analyze our choices, to record
with all the latest technology to enslave us. We don't call that a smart City we call that a communist
City. You had better start all over again and we'll help you with our Hawaiian knowledge and real
scientific knowledge. 1900 scientists have agreed that there is no human based cause for the
climate change that is natural. For those who study science we know that the precession of the
Earth's axis causes great changes all the time as can be seen in the history of the different ages the
earth goes through. A biologist knows that CO2 is the most important molecule for Life next to
water. The whole basis for the foreign Agenda 21 to 45 is falsely based on arguments that have
been disproven by these thousands of scientists. I recommend that you start all over again and ask
for input from the people of our County. If you don't I guarantee you won't have jobs much longer
because we'll find people who are honest and compassionate and have gratitude to God for this
great land that is sacred and for the people that God has placed here to create the paradise that
we all dream of living in. In your heart of hearts I know that you know that money and position
cannot buy you love and what is life without the love of the people that God has given you the job
to take care of. There is great satisfaction in doing your job well and I know it is a great challenge.
There are many people who would give suggestions that are authentic and not foreign-based
which is in contempt of our constitution. So protect yourself and let's spend some time asking and
receiving the suggestions of the people who know how to live on this land. God bless you and
keep you and thank you for doing your jobs and being open to starting mostly over again with a
real template from our own people.
2
there is an image of a STAR which is used to list 12 Hawaii island Goals. Please remove that Star
image as it seems to be a religious symbol and we should not be using any religious symbols of
this type anywhere in our General Plan
9
You have many policies that may be put in place because of "climate change". Do you know that
1,609 scientists from around the world have all signed a declaration stating there is no climate
danger. That climate change is happening all the time, every day? Here is the signed declaration
click here This general plan is very disturbing. It has a lot of the United Nations agenda feel to it
which are unelected people. Do you know that much of their agenda will take away people's
freedom. This is Chief Branch Officer of California Transportation sharing her thoughts at a County
Council meeting about a VERY similar agenda that was working to be put through click here This
general plan needs to be revised in a big way or you will change the entire course of Hawaii's future
aina, ohana and freedoms for our keiki.
2
First, are you aware that the star of David you have on pg. 8 represents both Israel (currently causing
genocide) or Judaism? It also represents an occult religion that most people don't realize. It is really
not good to have that symbol in the Hawaii general plan. I recommend you remove it.
9
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 25 of 40
The introduction to the GP 2045 contains an excellent statement of the intent and structure of a
general plan. We appreciate the guiding principles calling for timely, clear, and accurate
information on planning issues; a focus on issues relevant to our everyday lives; expanding choice
and opportunity for all persons, including the disadvantaged; and public participation
opportunities broad enough to have a meaningful impact on plan development. By charter, the
general plan is the primary policy document for all county entities, and it can and should be
powerful. It sets forth the County Council's long-range policy for the comprehensive physical,
economic, environmental and sociocultural well-being of the county. All public improvements and
projects as well as new subdivisions and zoning ordinances should conform to and implement the
general plan. The general plan includes overall themes, goals, principles, objectives, and policies,
as well as standards for implementation priorities and actions to carry out policies and their
standards. The former guide the course, and the latter prescribe specific activities. It is also
necessary to formulate laws and Council appropriations as well as Community Development Plans,
Urban Development Plans, Functional or Strategic Plans and other implementation mechanisms,
to fully carry out the General Plan's goals, objectives, policies, standards, and actions.
2
5.The County should not be articulating proposed roads through Hawaiian Home Lands in its
General Plan without first consulting with DHHL and its beneficiaries. There are several proposed
roadway routes depicted on the County's online webmaps on its Konveio website. While DHHL
understands that data depicted on these maps are "draft," DHHL would like to emphasize that final
County General Plan recommendations should not depict proposed new roadways through DHHL
land without first consulting with DHHL and its beneficiaries.
6.DHHL appreciates County planners taking the time to meet with DHHL planners over the years
as part of the County General Plan update. It appears that most of the LUPAG designations of DHHL
lands depicted on the Konveio site are consistent with DHHL land use designations in DHHL's
Hawaii Island Plan. We would like to note that DHHL will be updating its Hawaii Island plan 2024
thru 2025 and will be consulting with its beneficiaries over that time through the update process.
Should there be any substantive changes to DHHL's land use designations, DHHL will
communicate these changes to the County.
7.DHHL is attaching previous DHHL comments on the County General Plan Update that DHHL
previously submitted to the County over the years for your reference and consideration.
3
4.DHHL strongly encourages the County to begin its process to develop a County Community
Development Plan (COP) for the South Hilo District. The South Hilo District includes these DHHL
homestead communities: Keaukaha, Panaewa, Kaumana, Piihonua, King's Landing, and the future
Honomu Homestead community.
Per the draft 2045 County General Plan Update (page 204), CDPs "translate broad General Plan
statements to specific actions, as they apply to specific geographical areas. They serve to provide
a forum for community input to reflect the character of each community." Further this section of
the County General Plan states the purpose of a CDP is threefold:
•Translate the General Plan's broad statements and community development guidelines to actions
specific to the planning area to address regional issues and opportunities.
•Improve and advance communities and community resilience through the acknowledgement and
development of community capacity.
•Provide a process for citizens to engage in civic dialogue and contribute to the identification of
community priorities.
Beneficiaries have expressed to DHHL that the absence of a South Hilo CDP marginalizes these
homestead communities from having a say in land use decisions and government services that
impact these homestead communities. Further, without a South Hilo CDP, beneficiaries would like
to know how the County intends to incorporate the voices of these homestead communities into
County plans, programs, and services for their district. The County 2045 General Plan should
address this disparity for the South Hilo district in the implementation section of the General Plan.
3
2.Likewise, OHHL requests that its 2022 OHHL General Plan Update be referenced and/ or
included in the 2045 County General Plan Update either as an appendices or other appropriate
3
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 26 of 40
section of the County General Plan. The 2022 DHHL General Plan Update identifies land use
designations that the HHC may apply to Hawaiian Home Lands. The DHHL General Plan should be
a reference to the County. A copy can be found here: https://dhhl.hawaii.qov/po/general-plan/
3.The 2045 County General Plan Update should have specific policies that articulate that DHHL
Plans (OHHL General Plan, DHHL Hawaii Island Plan, DHHL Regional Plans) will be the authority on
land use that will guide County policy regarding land uses and projects surrounding DHHL lands.
OHHL beneficiaries have expressed strong concern with County policies or actions that may
encourage land uses that are detrimental to homestead communities. For example, the recently
introduced County Council Bill 107 related to an alternate route study for the proposed Puna
Bypass Road did not appear to consider DHHL testimony and the testimonies of its beneficiaries
to exclude routes from the study that traverse over lands under the jurisdiction of DHHL.
Furthermore, there continues to be harmful uses near DHHL homestead lands, particularly in Hilo,
that pose a health and safety issue to our Hilo homestead communities. The County General Plan
should emphasize that the County should adopt policies to phase these uses out over time. DHHL
does note and appreciates that the County Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG)
recommends agriculture-related designations for lands bordering the Panaewa homestead
community to the east. DHHL would like the County to strongly consider non-industrial uses in its
LUPAG for lands that border DHHL's King's Landing Tract. Those lands are currently being
considered for future homesteading and DHHL is currently going through a planning process to
settle these lands.
1. Recognition and coordination of the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) land use
authority with the County's land use authority is memorialized in the 2002 Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between DHHL and the County. DHHL requests that the County includes
this document as either as an appendices to the County General Plan or in separate section of the
plan, where appropriate, to ensure that there is a reference for current and future County staff,
elected officials, and members of the public about the relationship between DHHL and the County.
The MOU between the County and DHHL was created almost a quarter century ago and while
DHHL knows that current County Planning Department staff are aware of the MOU and the unique
status of the Hawaiian Homes Commission's land use authority over DHHL lands, DHHL wants to
further ensure that future County staff future elected officials, and future members of the public
continue to have an institutional memory of the relationship between DHHL and the County.
Incorporating a reference to this document in the 2045 County General Plan Update will better
guarantee that this institutional memory is perpetuated in future generations. The 2002 MOU is
enclosed for your convenience and reference.
3
We have reviewed the County of Hawaii General Plan 2045 (GP) that the County is in the process
of adopting and would like to make a public comment regarding the referenced parcel. Our clients
own the referenced parcel and are interested in developing housing and other amenities that
support the goals of the County as well as South Kahola and Waikoloa Village. To that end, we
request that a small 14.9 acre portion of the overall parcel be considered medium density urban.
Please refer to the attached exhibit for specific location and extent of the subject parcel in question.
Under the current GP this entire 2,200 acre property is considered "extensive agriculture." During
our analysis of the Draft GP and having studied the South Kahola Community Development Plan
(CDP) we believe this subject parcel is a key transitional zone in the area. The subject parcel is at
the nexus between several different anticipated or proposed developments, and the following
considerations should be accounted for in the GP to align with the CDP:
1. The CDP calls for "urban expansion" and "industrial" uses to the southwest.
2. The CDP acknowledges the Waikoloa Highlands development directly across Waikoloa
Rd. from the subject parcel. Our understanding is that this development will include a variety of
residential densities.
3. The CDP identifies an area just makai from the subject parcel as a potential Community
Center site.
2
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 27 of 40
4. Property to the north, owned by Waikoloa Village Association, will likely remain in a
conservation status, meaning the subject parcel will be an important transition point.
5. The balance of the 2,200 acre parcel will likely be low density residential, again meaning
the subject parcel will be a key transition.
6. Designating the subject parcel medium density urban will potentially allow development
of workforce housing, which is vital to the economy of Waikoloa Village as well as the coastal resorts
and the associated employers.
7. The County has granted provisional approval of the New Hope Waikoloa church property
to the south of the subject parcel. This signals the transitional nature of this area and the County's
overall support for varying land uses in the immediate vicinity.
To summarize, there are numerous diverse land uses surrounding the subject parcel and utilizing
this area to create a buffer and transition is smart land planning. It demonstrates sensitivity to the
surrounding context while allowing the highest and best use of this property. Further, it will result
in driving economic activity to the benefit of the County and its residents.
**MAPS ATTACHED**
Stop. We rebuke the reduction of Agricultural land. This agenda is not a good direction.. we should
retain our islands sustainability... not turn it over to the Globalists Agenda.
1
Please use federal plus public private funding sources to fulfill WWTP’s
AOC’s ordered by EPA and signed this month by county administration. Our island residents needs
clean waters free of pollution to highest degree possible. All new developments need to be
severed or provided R-1 level treatment. This is the path to sustainability.
7
in addition to integrative health, education and social services, it's also important for all
communities also have crisis management and emergency services/plan in place to ensure if any
natural disaster does strike, both officials and the community is prepared. (whether that's fire,
flooding, storm damage, tsunami, etc)
10
in addition to integrative health, education and social services, it's also important for all
communities also have crisis management and emergency services/plan in place to ensure if any
natural disaster does strike, both officials and the community is prepared. (whether that's fire,
flooding, storm damage, tsunami, etc)
10
These are a few major concerns I have with this document overall:
• What does “affordable housing” mean? This term gets thrown around a lot without a good
discussion on what makes a living space "affordable."
• Houseless issues need a more concentrated focus within this document. Homelessness is
barely tackled.
• Controlling serious invasive threats, such as goats and cats, needs to be directly addressed
with a unique section or subsection.
• There are no mentions regarding biosecurity, which should be a top priority.
• Who wrote this? Who are the consulting agents?
• Where are the budgets for any of these so-called “projects”? How are any of these things
supposed to actually take off the ground?
• Where are the citations for literally anything?
• There should be greater emphasis on hiring local organizations and individuals to do the
work proposed in this document, everything from archaeological consultation to construction to
educational programs. Keep business local, incentivize and support local businesses.
• Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Hawaiian people) are practically eliminated from this entire document,
except in cases of “alohawashing” or claiming sensitivity to Hawaiian and local values and culture
without explicitly explaining what that means.
1
Yet again, no mention of Kānaka ʻŌiwi. 10
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 28 of 40
What does "regenerative" mean? "reoccuring"? "sustainable"? This buzzword holds no inherent
meaning. Elaborate.
10
This is a HUGE undertaking. Zero waste by 2045 sounds like an incredible goal, but how realistic is
it, really?
10
Okay, but what does this actually mean? What will this look like? These are just words with no
structure behind them.
10
Once again, Kānaka Maoli are effectively erased from this document with loose terms like "cultural
resources."
9
Use a font that can adequately display ʻokina and kahakō. 9
Such collaboration will probably be required often, considering how many of these objectives
appear to be under the purview of the state rather than the county.
8
How far into the future? If the county has no authority over zoning, what does this Future Land Use
Map mean, exactly? Are these merely suggestions on how the land should be utilized? How legally
binding will this proposed map be?
8
Include a hyperlink to this report for ease of reference. 6
Again, how are you folks proposing to actually achieve broad participation? Saying you want the
community to engage without proposing a solution to actually engage more individuals feels like
empty lip service.
6
This is so poorly worded... how about "facilitate communication and a sense of community between
people of diverse ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds, while remaining aware that this land
belongs to Kānaka Maoli, the only group who is Indigenous to these islands." Erasure of Kānaka
throughout this document is egregious.
5
We need MORE public and virtual meetings than what has initially been offered. We need to reach
more people before education opportunities or community meetings take place. How do you folks
propose we achieve broader outreach?
5
This all sounds like United Nations Agenda 21 Sustainable Development global plan to steal more
land, resources, and exert more global control under the guise of "sustainability and "equity". NO
CONSENT! Also why are you using star of david graphics (below) on this website supposedly
dedicated to Hawaii??
9
Are the people who created the General Plan and those that have reviewed and approved it aware
that most of the population of Hilo either has no awareness of the General Plan or have little or no
idea of what is in it? I know this because two times when the owners of lots near me wanted to
change the zoning of the lots from residential to something else, I and others walked door to door
to talk to our neighbors and ask it they were in favor of the changes. Both times, many did not know
there was a General Plan and most of those who did were not aware of what the plan was for our
neighborhood. My wife and I were among the uninformed until we saw a zoning change request
notice posted on the first property. Even after informing people of the General Plan many of them
felt there was no point in trying to comment on it because the planners and politicians would do
what they wanted regardless of what the people had to say. I am not sure they are wrong but I like
to think that at least sometimes, what the people want is considered. I wish I had a good solution
to the problem of people being unaware of the General Plan and what is in it but at the very least
the planners should be aware that what they are doing to inform people is not working. My wife
and I own a home in Waiakea House Lots. One last thing. It took me a couple of hours and two tries
to find and figure out how to comment on the General Plan and more than one person has told me
they were unable to figure it out. There is so much information on line about the General Plan and
so many versions of it that finding the right place to comment and then how to comment is harder
than you might think. One you know how it is easy but for some of us it is a struggle.
2
Humans can not cause climate change such as global warming or cooling by the emission of CO2
(for example by burning fossil fuels) nor the sequestration nor by limits on CO2 emissions. Any
10
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 29 of 40
such contention is contradicted by scientific laws, theory and observations. Henry’s Law, Le
Chatelier’s principle and the Law of Mass Action contradict that common contention. Each of these
laws or principle is based on very many observations over more than one hundred years. No
positive correlation is observed between properly detrended (1) estimated trend of CO2 emissions
due to fossil fuels, (for example Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UN IPCC, Friedlingstein et al)
compared to (2) measured trend of atmospheric CO2 concentration at NOAA-Scripps Mauna Loa,
i.e., the defacto standard global CO2 atmospheric concentration. (See for example one among
several papers: Munshi, Jamal, Responsiveness of Atmospheric CO2 to Fossil Fuel Emissions:
Updated (July 5, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2997420 or
http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2997420). Attempts by Hawaii to control reduce carbon footprint
or CO2 from fossil fuels are and will be futile and a total waste of taxpayer money and other
resources. Humans can neither increase CO2 concentration by CO2 emissions nor decrease
global CO2 by limitation on CO2, carbon use nor sequestration of CO2. Increase disturbances to
the CO2 equilibrium between air and water are absorbed by water everywhere (dominantly ocean
surface and soil), decrease disturbances to the CO2 equilibrium between air and water will be
replaced by water everywhere (dominantly ocean surface and soil). The late professor of
atmospheric physics Murry Salby, PhD provided the definitive derivation unequivocally showing
"CO2 atmospheric concentration is controlled by net natural emission, independent of
Anthropogenic emissions." In his annual review of the state of the global climate, Professor Ole
Humlum reviews 2023's key data and observations in the context of long-term climate trends.
Professor Humlum concludes: ‘No Observational Evidence For Any Global Climate Crisis.’ Ole
Humlum (born 21 July 1949) is a Danish professor emeritus at the University of Oslo, Department
of Geosciences and adjunct professor of physical geography at the University Centre in Svalbard.
His academic focus includes glacial and periglacial geomorphology and climatology. The review
covers a wide range of temperature measurements in both ocean and atmosphere, alongside
reviews of oceanic oscillations, sea levels, snow and ice measurements, and storms. Observations
confirm the continuing long-term variability of average meteorological and oceanographic
conditions, but do not support the notion of an ongoing climate crisis. According to Professor
Humlum, “The global climate system represents a multifaceted system, involving sun, planets,
atmosphere, oceans, land, geological processes, biological life, and complex interactions between
them. Many components and their mutual coupling are still not fully understood or perhaps not
even recognised." "Believing that one minor constituent of the atmosphere (CO2) controls nearly
all aspects of climate is naïve and entirely unrealistic. The global climate has remained in a quasi-
stable condition within certain limits for millions of years, although with important variations playing
out over periods ranging from years to centuries, or more, but the global climate has never been
in a fully stable state without change. Modern observations show that this normal behaviour is also
characterising recent years, including 2023, and there is no observational evidence for any global
climate crisis.” Prof Humlum's report is available at this link, with references and data sources are
listed at the end: https://www.thegwpf.org/publications/the-state-of-the-climate-2023/ A
summary of the Humlum report is available here: https://rclutz.com/2024/03/30/2023-climate-
report-earths-climate-is-fine/ This report is written for people wishing to form their own opinion on
issues relating to climate. Its focus is on publicly available observational datasets, and not on the
output of numerical models. Lastly, I have posted on my blog a recent Powerpoint presentation by
another scientist at the following link. He covers the science in more detail than summarized here
as well as the social and political context which has caused the extreme mis-information and dis-
information on this subject. CO2: Climate Killer or Essence of Life? by Patrick A. Baeuerle
https://budbromley.blog/2024/03/30/co2-climate-killer-or-essence-of-life-by-patrick-a-baeuerle/
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the plan. Bud Bromley Holualoa March 30, 2024
Confusing given the Monitoring and Evaluation section. As someone who has worked for
nonprofits and written grants for decades, the lack of goals and objectives in this plan without clear,
specific, measurable and time-defined milestones sets us up for us having to be ok with vague
progress and no one to hold accountable for not meeting expectations that were never clearly
defined.
6
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 30 of 40
Since many folks still are not aware of this Draft General Plan and the impending deadline to
comment, I donʻt think the Planning Department and County have done all they can to ensure
"authentic participation" during the planning process. The outreach was bleak, last fallʻs
"presentations" were like an elementary school science fair, with far less details and facts
presented. Personnel couldnʻt answer a lot of questions, running around asking someone else this
or that. And the way information was presented was not cohesive, and a group presentation with
public comment in each district would have been a much better strategy.
6
Governed by systems, not people? This is concerning if this is purposefully worded this way. I think
this language has a deeper meaning that legally, could have very broad implications.
10
Where are the CDP and Agency Functional Plans in this document? Special Area Plans? If not
included here, how do we assess their scope and status and the GPs coherence with those plans?
This is very confusing.
9
Where is this map in this digital version of the General Plan? There should be a link to it. This is a
huge issue and very concerning. The Future Land Use Map should be included and explicitly show
any changes to land use, zoning and use, and changes to use types.
8
Is this General Plan valid since the Planning Director hasnʻt complied with the Countyʻs stated
purpose of the General Plan pursuant to Charter section 3-15? Were are the recommended
amendments to the last General Plan? This is a total rewrite and it is hard to navigate the changes
being made, as we arenʻt comparing apples to apples. The county council shall adopt by ordinance
a general plan which shall set forth the council’s long range policy for the comprehensive physical,
economic, environmental, and sociocultural wellbeing of the county. (a) The general plan shall
contain a statement of development objectives, standards and principles with respect to the most
desirable use of land within the county for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial,
industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural
resources and the 6 preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites; the most desirable
density of population in the several parts of the county; a system of principal thoroughfares,
highways, streets, public access to the shorelines, and other open spaces; the general locations,
relocations and improvement of public buildings, the general location and extent of public utilities
and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for water, sewers, light, power, transit, and
other purposes; the extent and location of public housing projects; adequate drainage facilities
and control; air pollution; and such other matter as may, in the council’s judgment, promote the
general welfare, health, and prosperity of its people. (b) (c) (d) The council shall enact zoning,
subdivision, and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to carry out
the purpose of the general plan. No public improvement or project, or subdivision or zoning
ordinance, shall be initiated or adopted unless the same conforms to and implements the general
plan. Amendments to the general plan may be initiated by the council or the planning director.
(1979, Prop. 3; 2016, Ord. No. 16-62, sec. 1.)
7
Has the Planning Department collaborated directly with our CDP working groups; in the last public
meeting in 2023, every CDP group articulated the lack of respect and collaboration and their many
years of community-directed input went unheard.
7
'Sustainable Development' sounds like an oxymoron. The entire agenda here is a ‘business as
usual’ formula built on illusions of stability and perpetual growth expectations. This plan purports
to extend its vision and influence (a ‘roadmap’ is the often used analogy) all the way to 2045. Yet,
most of the world’s scientists tell us that 2030 (only 5 years and 9 months away) will set out a point
of no return from the worst impacts of ‘climate change’. We should be planning for that now.
Implicit assumptions of incremental changes with policies hashed out in committees with this
‘roadmap’ as our guide are wholly inadequate to the coming realities of 2045.
9
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 31 of 40
If the document is reformulated as transformation rather than edited as transition from currently
existing structure, then a full explanation of the rationale for each proposal should be available to
the public. Even in the model of transition, an explanation of changes should be available to the
public. The above considerations conclude that: A) the General Plan should not contain proposals
where agreement will be subject to significant contention. Rather, such proposals or directives
must first be considered and endorsed in their individuality. B) A General Plan should have clarity
of transition from its predecessor. C) The timeframe of application of the document should be
shortened, perhaps as much as to the term of the administration which has generated the
document. This shortened timeframe in itself will encourage transition rather than transformation.
2
If a General Plan is posited by an administration as description of intention of where its aspirations
lie, and especially if that plan contains contentious or poorly understood proposal then that
document should be retired at the conclusion of each admiration rather than posited as a
guidepost for a 20+ year period. And if such a document is of such fundamental importance to
construction of societal rules, then its evolution should take place by amendment of the underlying
document rather than reconstruction of a new document which allows only incomplete or limited
understanding of how that document has transformed from what has proceeded it.
2
Does the State of Hawaii or the United States have a "General Plan" that it creates periodically. No,
they have constitutions. However these "constitutions" are not given to contentious proposals
which arise with the shifting of societal circumstances or environment. They are fundamental
guidelines which are truly foundation and not subject to whim of administration. An it is from that
document that legal applications arise. There is no intermediate "General Plan" formulated as
aspiration by one administration after another, not subject to public debate and discussion.
2
If a General Plan directive may expect even modest opposition, then that proposal should be
accompanied by a full explanation of the reasoning behind its position, as inclusion in the General
Plan may become rationale for proposal as ordinance or administrative rule.
2
Where there would be significant opposition, even if the document framers should feel themselves
in a majority position, the general plan should be avoided as residence of that directive
2
Regardless of whether the apologists of placement of contentious proposals in the draft General
Plan attempt to justify this document as a ʻliving Documentʻ, they may also posit it as foundational
to the development of ordinances and administrative rules that may subsequently arise.
2
The basic concept underlying the notion of General Plan is desirable. However this current draft
General Plan 2045 raises questions about practical application of that notion. It is found, in survey
of the proposals here that the draft General Plan is laden with contentious ideas which are likely to
represent the thinking of one administration but may well be rejected by a subsequent
administration, or more importantly by the general public. If the General Plan is to be posited as a
guideline or aspiration document that spans a period of 20+ years then contentious proposals or
proposals that have a shifting or limited source of support or are poorly understood by the public
or the administration, should not be a part of the document.
2
and protected, we need to protect the natural and cultural resources from further depletion and
extinction
10
What does this even mean? Tourists in the residential communities? What is the regenerative visitor
stands for? Bunch of words but no real, clear message. This is a very confusing and vague goal with
concerning subtext.
10
We should address the dependency on tourism and promote, support agriculture as well as small
businesses that provide services for the local folks (healthcare, education, infrastructure, etc.).
There is no way to be "self-sufficient" if we have tourism as our main income earner for the county.
10
First and foremost we need opportunities for those who live on the island full time and not the
"mobile" population that comes for a bit and don't even pay taxes since they live most of the year
somewhere else. Please, prioritize people who live here and pay taxes. This language seems to
imply the opportunities for seasonal workers and snowbirds as a priority.
10
Draft General Plan 2045
Introduction Comment Summary
Page 32 of 40
Emergency response and disaster management and recovery (especially from wild fires) should
be part of functional plans. We can't have second Lahaina on Hawai'i Island.
7
What does the star shape stand for? 9
The "social well being" pillar of "sustainability" must have an equitability component to be truly
"sustainable". If solutions are not equitable, we leave behind a portion of our community which
then makes the solution untenable & therefore unsustainable.
6
The "social well being" pillar of "sustainability" must have an equitability component to be truly
"sustainable". If solutions are not equitable, we leave behind a portion of our community which
then makes the solution untenable & unsustainable.
5
The word "now" is confusing. Does this sentence mean the "visitors" who were previously "wishing
to experience our island" have moved to Hawai'i & are living here now? If so, what about the locals
who live here that were born here? Or does "those who now call Hawai'i home" mean residents
(regardless of where they were born)? If the latter, just say "residents".
3
Our island is a perfect environment, government and politics need to step aside and let people
run their business, support their families. Promote housing by less government involvement,
promote development of hydrogen vehicles and geothermal energy, promote small business to
what they do best. Get back to the basics!!
3
Less government regulations and approvals on everything. Our kids are moving away cause can
not afford to live here. Housing, food, fuel.. all products of poor government involvement.
10
Can we change "by" to "through" or "with the use of?" I don't want to be governed, blindly, by a
system.
10
Keeping in mind that a cultural resource can also be a living thing, and not something frozen in
the past, so that sustainability is up to the kahu of that place, and may or may not involve open
public access at all times.
10
To be more practical, zero waste practices have to start at the beginning with packaging and
processing, so that waste management occupies a portion of the process, but not the only or main
division that defines our ecological footprint. Perhaps we should be moving toward a circular
economy and not just looking at waste management.
10
So I'm guessing, transient/seasonal labor? Although it might be a way to disguise 'snowbirds.' 10
And yet, less than two weeks away from the deadline, I see less than a dozen people have made
comments. What is the process for getting the communities to become aware of this process and
how to participate in it? What are the benchmarks to see what percentage of the population has
responded? To acknowledge the opportunity if not actually participate? Or is this not a sincere
goal?
6
Wow, this sounds a lot like aculturalization, trying to make us all the same instead of celebrating
our variations and differences. We're trying to break free from the burden of colonization. Before
the islands became a Territory of the US, almost everyone that came here to live learned at least
some of the Hawaiian language. If we want to start homogenizing our society, we could start there.
5
Not mentioned in the list of changes we have seen since 2005, is the growing awareness of, and
influence of, native Hawaiian practices that come from generations of accumulated knowledge,
combined with contemporary technology and hardware, creating modern Hawaiian cultural
practices, some old some new, that influence all parts of community planning when we look to the
future. Our census shows that the population has doubled every decade for the past several
decades. Ask yourselves why, when people move to these islands, they are moving here, and not
Maui or Kauai or Honolulu? Because this is where the Hawaiian culture is most in the spotlight, not
only for the Merrie Monarch, but things like the regular presence of Pele and the recent successful
resistance movement on Maunakea, along with the growing number of those practicing both old
and new expressions of our culture. Even so, each district has its own identity just as each island
does, and what appears to be missing in the history of this planning process to date, is the idea of
5
Draft General Plan 2045
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cultivating a sense of place in each district, that allows work, play and lifestyle that doesn't rely on
an hours long commute to work in a resort.
End of the sugar as the leading economic industry island wide, save for Maui. 4
Beginning of the collapse of the sugar industry in the Hawaiian Islands 4
"...and sustainability efforts." Suggest remove period, add, "based in part upon the growing focus
upon host culture traditional practices and accumulated knowledge."
5
This should read Community, Harmony, Wellbeing, and Husbandry. Words like resilient, safe, and
health are words that mean less freedom and more control over people's lives and outside
contracts with for profit organizations or government agencies. Do not bring Fascism to the Big
Island!
9
WHY IS THIS STAR HERE? This is a Jewish symbol and really it is an occult symbol of Freemasonry
and the worship of Moloch. This is a Satanic symbol on Hawaii's General Plan! IT SHOULD NOT
HERE! https://rumble.com/v3pbhfk-there-is-no-star-of-david-in-the-bible-only-thr-star-of-
remphanmoloch.html
9
How about we support a climate resilient island by discovering who is flying the chem trails over
the island. I never saw them until the last couple of years. 1609 scientists around the world signed
a declaration that there is no climate danger. Climate change happens all the time but there is no
danger. Is Hilo underwater or having a threat to be underwater? No!
10
This is very concerning. "Progressive land use strategies"? What are you talking about? 10
Again this word should change to "supportive". 9
"Sustainable" should be changed to Supportive. We want to support each other. 9
This is VERY concerning. Are you going to change AG land? The island is mostly AG as it should
be. We need to grow our own food. Changing land use maps for "intended future land use". This
is not okay!
8
All of this language sounds very communism to me. 6
Livable built environment? That is what we have. I know Maui is set to be a smart city. Do you know
electric vehicles cost more energy and the companies that make them use fossil fuels. You can't
make an electric vehicle without fossil fuels. This language is very concerning.
6
This language is horrible! Interwoven equity. What does that mean? God made men and women.
Those who believe otherwise are delusional.
6
These sound like UN agendas which is very concerning since we just wen through an unlawful
lockdown and coercion of an experimental drug! Health is important for everyone but not at the
expense of someone's personal choice.
6
Yes! The "sustainability" they are referring to is going to take away freedoms and change our way
of life! Not okay!
6
I so agree. The flowering words, "Encourage respect" what exactly does that mean. The word
"sustainable" is code for we're going to bring in a system that will take away your freedom, have a
nice feel good name, and destroy your way of life! They have free energy. They don't want us to
use it because...it's Free! Take out off all this BS and simple put we'll work with the people to create
a better way of life together.
6
This is again concerning. What alterations of policies, institutions and decisions that oppose giving
special attention to racial integrity are you talking about. Why bring this up? I do not see racism in
Hawaii. This language again aims to separate people and it should not be in this plan!
6
Children are taught racism. There should not be racial economic integrity. Treat everyone fairly,
which Hawaii does, and you don't have to single people out for any reason. This language leads to
racism not the other way around!
5
"...meaningful solutions." should add before the period, "for all concerned." 3
Draft General Plan 2045
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"...future challenges"... should continue with "alongside existing protocols and community
practices," ....
3
"...balancing their needs." should continue with, " against the needs of the native population and
the host culture.".
3
This ICAP doc on climate change has been handed to local governments by the Davos crowd
implementing Agenda 21. These same people that claim sea level rise buy multi million dollar
homes on the coast. The climate is always changing and the sun is the greatest driver of the climate
in which we have no control (solar activity was not mentioned in the ICAP doc). Yet world
governments, including our own are preparing for space weather events under Executive Order
13744 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/18/2016-25290/coordinating-
efforts-to-prepare-the-nation-for-space-weather-events Why is there no mention of these events in
a community plan while other departments are implementing? Suggest vetting the ICAP docs
being handed over and broaden research. Many highly experienced scientists are debunking
global warming and insist we are entering an ice age, yet there is nothing on this. 1904 vetted
scientists signed the World Climate Declaration, There is No Climate Emergency?
https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/World-Climate-Declaration-3.pdf
2
I am concerned about traffic and transportation management in South Kona. Highway 11 is heavily
used as the only route around the island south of the Ali'i bypass intersection. It is unsafe for
pedestrians, lacks shoulders or armco barriers in dangerous spots, and the permitted speed limits
seem excessive for many parts of the road. I realize that this is a State Road, but as a critical part of
the Big Island transportation system, I believe it should be addressed in the General Plan.
Thank you to committee members for your service, and to Bethany for coming tonight. I'm sorry to
say, the 2045 plan is disappointing. It looks more like the summary version or marketing version
you would normally develop only after writing the thorough, in-depth version. And until people
asked, it wasn't clear how to access the PDF version necessary to make meaningful comments. I
found myself recalling my days at Hilo Intermediate School when teachers would assign a novel to
read-maybe Wuthering Heights or David Copperfield. Some kids felt that cut too much into their
surfing time, so they would go down to Kress Store, to the comic section, where they would find a
series called "Illustrated Classics". For 25 cents they could just get the comic version of Wuthering
Heights, and hope the teacher never caught on. I'm not saying the 2045 plan is at that level. But I
don't think it represents the County's best efforts. Comparing the 2005 and 2045 plans, the 2005
plan is about 400 pages long and the 2045 plan is only about 200 pages. This despite the fact that
the island population has grown 20% since 2005. More people, more houses, more roads, more
businesses, and more pressure on social services, fragile ecosystems, and the island's cultural
heritage. The 2005 plan devotes 14 pages to an extensive table of contents. The 2045 plan has no
table of contents at all. So the train leaves the station, and you have no idea where any of the stops
are. If you wonder whether more emphasis was placed on housing versus cultural concerns, or if
you want to find a table or chart about a certain topic, you have to word-search 200 pages for each
of your questions. A table of contents also provides something that is often missing in the digital
age: context. What is the scope of the plan? What issues are emphasized, and which ones are not?
How does the amount and quality of the data which the writers relied on compare for each issue?
The 2045 plan says nothing about how it differs from the 2005 plan, and from the draft 2040 plan
(which was never adopted). In the past, changes from previous plans were clearly identified. To
address all these concerns, the public should have access to all three documents, plus clear
information about how they are different, and why changes were made. This should all be online,
with paper copies at libraries and the Hilo and Kana County buildings. Then the clock should be
re-started on comments to allow time, something like 6 months, for the public to review all that
information.
3
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Support sustainability and alternate forms of transportation! Our main roads are too dangerous for
biking and walking! Designate a swath of land on either side of the Wai‘ula‘ula, Waikoloa,
Keanu’i’omanō streams & tributaries as conservation/recreation/natural (whichever most
appropriate) in order to protect the riparian corridor. With this designation, community groups
may be able to restore and enhance this natural corridor. The streamside area could become an
adequate buffer for: managing stormwater, reducing pollutant loads from current levels,
protecting from property loss due to flooding and erosion, and creating healthy habitat for native
aquatic species. With partnerships the corridor could also become a pathway for safe multimodal,
zero emission, transportation options as an alternative from driving to and from Waimea town to
the shoreline. The simple redesignation of land use on the map would fulfill a plethora of
recommendations, strategies, and desired outcomes across a number of action plans including:
The 2005 County of Hawaiʻi General Plan, the 2008 South Kohala Community Development Plan,
the 2011 Waiʻulaʻula Watershed Management Plan, the 2017 State Strategic Plan for Transit-
Oriented Development, the 2021 Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan, the 2021 HTA Hawaiʻi Island
Destination Management Action Plan, and the 2023 County of Hawaiʻi Draft General Plan.
1
If it is too expensive to widen the Hilo-Hamakua coastal highway, perhaps another monorail route
would go up the coast like the old railroad. --- Besides passenger train cars, there could be cargo
cars that local trucking companies might want to part-own.
10
The flat, straight terrain of the old Railroad Avenue may be ideal for a new monorail, from Keaau
High to the mall, airport, Kanoelehua Ave., the hotel/garden peninsula, and harbor. Another route
might circle from the mall, HCC, Waiakea High/UHHilo, Komohana, the upper Ponahawai medical
offices, hospital, Rainbow Falls, Hilo High, downtown Hilo, Kaiko'o offices, Hilo Shopping Center,
Big Island Candies, airport, mall. Another route may circle Keaau to Pahoa.
10
"AE Powered, Aquaculture Supported, Diversified Agriculture Systems." 5
1. very confusing. 2.do not understand how to comment. 3. More sustainable housing for lower
incomes . No More golf courses. More solar, more water catchment. funding for home gardens.
Allow roadside stands. NO MORE ROUNDUP- it causes cancer. NO MORE mandates.
7
It is critically important to define this term, multimodal. For some it just means various forms of
motorized transit, such as; cars, buses, trains, shared rides, jitneys and the like; to others this taken
to include other non-motorized modes, such as; bicycles, assisted-bikes or other carrier and
walking - thus the need to define what is meant here, perhaps with a foot-note below.
10
In picking up on the prior Best Practices for Planning, in the Introduction, I would hope this read:
...by sustainable, equitable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities and services.... . As just a
couple of examples, it is important that our sidewalks and roads are accessible to those with
disabilities, pedestrians and cyclists, alike, and that recreational facilities be equally be accessible
and available throughout the County.
9
This connection of the General Plan to the various Functional Plans, is critical to and realistic and
implementable plan. In previous versions of the GP, this relationship had been very loosely
defined and it is often difficult to find the Functional Plans in a given area, if and when they exist.
Reference should be made here and in other discussions on the Functional Plans as to where these
are to be found.
7
Add well-maintained to the transportation network 10
Why aren’t Emergency Services, Electrical and Telecom part of Functional Plans? I realize there is
no department dedicated to some of these, they should not be ignored (or left to State).
7
First of all kudos on a great start! There is a lot to love in this plan and many, many great ideas that
we all can work together to implement even before the GP is finalized :) As an overall comment I
would recommend an exercise of looking at this plan through the lens of different residents of this
County, especially attempting to look at it from a more rural, working class point of view, as well as
the goals of folks who are looking to live sustainably in a rural setting rather than in one of our
towns. TBH and blunt, the current draft takes for granted a certain world view and perspective
3
Draft General Plan 2045
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which might seem quite alien to many of our residentsʻ life experience. Another possibly way to
think about it is perhaps a pluralistic, place-making lens? A great deal of the issues and solutions
in this plan are common throughout the county however how they will be implemented should be
informed by the history and character, resources and needs of particular communities in this
county. Of course the CDPs are a great place to start but most of them are getting quite dated and
again are pre-filtered by a planning lens/perspective, that it would be helpful to take off at least
momentarily to evaluate this document.
Being exemplary or a leader is totally irrelevant to the purpose of the Plan. This is just eyewash,
and is just wishful ego thinking. Just say, "Hawaii Island HAS healthy and resilient communities..."
9
The Island needs an art museum with a real performing arts center in Kona so that visitors on the
West side can attend and support cultural events.
9
How can planning principles be better translated into design codes, design guides, responsive
zoning, and plan-related metrics, that empower a sustainable future? In the UK, RTPI and RIBA
have worked to produce guidance with industry and communities to translate principles into
measurable outcomes and development criteria/requirements/conditions. See for example the
Measuring What Matters Toolkit:
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research/2020/november/measuring-what-matters-planning-
outcomes-research/ Also relevant: certification standards such as BREEAM Communities (BRE
Group), LEED for Cities and Communities. Bioregional's One Planet Living framework has also
been adopted internationally. The General Plan has the power to encourage these (or other
outcomes-driven planning methodologies) in Community Plans as well as general strategic
planning orientations, especially through land use orientations that are either prescriptive (such as
zoning) or by way of guidance to property developers, real estate investors/ESG, architectural
design, and so on. Also via public realm interventions such as various placemaking initiatives,
including the work by Project for Public Spaces across North America and beyond, or
developments by White Arkitekter or Gehl Architects, among others.
6
Add in "public/government-owned" after renewable 0
Remove "This vision statement represents the ability to plan for the future in alignment with
community values." Add in "Looking forward, as our CDPs are updated, the General Plan's ability
to plan for the future is intended to work in alignment with and embrace new regional values.
9
Replace population with "communities" 3
Add the title or the purpose of the subject figure for the public to understand the meaning of the
figure
9
Add in "in planning" after document Replace citizens with "residents" Add in "and further develop
land use policies" after decisions
6
Define a "just" transition. Define "equitable." And what does it have to do with climate? Addressing
the causes is something this County can likely not afford (it is acknowledged in Table 19 that current
finances are not sufficient to deal with current infrastructure). Plus you can knock the entire State
back to the stone age and it will make zero difference in the climate. According to the BBC, "China
emits more greenhouse gas than the entire developed world combined"
(https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57018837). Do NOT use the residents of this County as a
test bed for technologies that are expensive, not proven and will make no difference.
10
What is a "progressive" land use strategy? How does it differ from a not-progressive land use
strategy?
10
A general comment -- this document is so full of buzz words it makes my head hurt. 2
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Delete the bypass road through Railroad Avenue in Pana'ewa. DHHL Chair sent the following in a
letter to the Governor, Mayor, Council and elected officials on August 8, 2023: Aloha Elected
Official: Over the last several years, the State of Hawai‘i and the County of Hawai‘i have proposed
initiatives that have explored options for an alternative route between Puna and Hilo should the
Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road (Highway 130) be cut off by a Kilauea Volcano East Rift Zone Eruption, other
potential hazards and/or natural disasters, and to provide relief for increasing traffic congestion for
Puna residents. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is supportive of the intent of an
initiative to provide a safe alternative route between Puna and Hilo to address risks from natural
hazards and to relieve traffic congestion for Puna residents, however DHHL is strongly opposed to
any consideration of a proposed by-pass route that would run through the existing DHHL Pana‘ewa
homestead community. With the adoption of the DHHL Pana‘ewa Regional Plan in 2016, the
Hawaiian Homes Commission took a position to oppose any proposed by-pass route through
Railroad Avenue. The utilization of Railroad Avenue as an alternate route would unjustly burden
Pana‘ewa homestead lessees with additional traffic, and increase the risk to the safety of our
homestead communities. The DHHL Pana‘ewa Regional Plan identified potential alternative routes
that could alleviate traffic between Puna and Hilo and avoid adverse impacts to DHHL Pana‘ewa
Homestead lessees. A map of those alternative routes is enclosed for future consideration during
the selection of a by-pass route. Mahalo for your time and consideration of both DHHL and its
homestead communities in future planning efforts. Please involve DHHL and the Keaukaha-
Pana‘ewa Farmers’ Association in future conversations and meetings regarding this matter so that
we can collaboratively work together on a solution. Should you have any questions, please email
DHHL Planner, Lilliane Makaila at lilliane.makaila@hawaii.gov . Sincerely, Kali Watson, Chairman
Hawaiian Homes Commission
1
Community Challenges: Beautify Hilo and clean up the industrial scrap metal, junk cars and other
pollution on the land and in the ocean. Housing Choice and Affordability - Provide shelters for the
homeless so they don't have to live in doorways and other public places. Active Living - Fix the
public swimming pools, parks, and rebuild the Laupahoehoe Gym so people can enjoy being
active. Climate Change - Plant shade trees, especially in Hilo. The heat is unbearable and there is
very little shade anywhere. Trees add oxygen to the environment, look beautiful, and provide
homes for birds, fruit and flowers.
9
The GP is a framework that the County Code implements. Article XI, section 1 of the Hawaii
Constitution (...preserve resources for future generations) and State law applies: [§226-108]
Sustainability. Priority guidelines and principles to promote sustainability shall include: (1)
Encouraging balanced economic, social, community, and environmental priorities; (2)
Encouraging planning that respects and promotes living within the natural resources and limits of
the State; (3) Promoting a diversified and dynamic economy; (4) Encouraging respect for
the host culture; (5) Promoting decisions based on meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the needs of future generations; (6) Considering the principles of the ahupuaa
system; and (7) Emphasizing that everyone, including individuals, families, communities,
businesses, and government, has the responsibility for achieving a sustainable Hawaii. This section
needs to be rewritten.
6
Please explain how this County's catering to conversion of residential neighborhoods into the
latest morph of the visitor industry, with it attendant disruptions of neighborhood cohesion,
resident inter-connectedness, and often peace and quiet, fits into this notion of "regenerative
tourism." The current County executive and legislative branches are currently focused on
legalizing more of this under the guise of "regulating" it (which will officially legitimize and thus
promote its expansion/invasion).
10
Our residents are (collectively, for the most part) "economically self-sufficient?" Wow! Does that
mean, we don't need visitors and military to provide employment and self-employment income to
pay for all our imported building, infrastructure, computers, phones and other packaged goods?
Why not instead (more realistically) say, that our economy is diversified by broadening the visitor
10
Draft General Plan 2045
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industry resource into high quality personal support services, such as healthcare and healing
respite services? Just one example...
Unless this Plan can cite one or more mid-ocean island population centers that have either
achieved "zero waste" or is measurably progressing to a point of achieving such in no more than,
say, 10 years, then this concept should be replaced with a more practical one (I'm betting there is
no such mid-ocean island population in the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans in particular). For example,
simply focusing on plastic waste repurposing (down-cycling, or "cascading") to eliminate all plastic
container (all types), in addition to a 50% reduction in plastic packaging waste, would be
inspirational, potentially "can do" targets to inspire and motivate us all through appropriate
implementation tactics.
10
Saying we want "multimodal" transportation is nice but inadequate in a region that's far too
dependent on private automobiles. This should emphasize the need to expand non-automobile
options so that one can live without a car anywhere on the island.
10
I see no mention anywhere in this plan about long-term control of feral animals and their impact
on our native forests, native animals/birds, and public health and safety. This could be anything
from requiring developers to take measures to eradicate or address feral pigs before beginning
development that displaces pigs into nearby community backyards, or additional fencing for
sensitive ecosystems, or even some method of funding program to support hunters and trappers
in addressing this problem. There is also no mention of animal control. We need to have animal
shelter and intake facilities in multiple districts across our large island, especially in South Kona.
We need additional support around public safety regarding dog attacks and large cat populations
that can spread disease and harm native birds. Where and how can that be addressed in this plan?
2
If Hawaiians are leaving due to inability to purchase homes can we collaborate with banks to help?
Years ago mortgages were designed as 15 or 30 year mortgages. People are living 20+ years
longer. Perhaps mortgages need to be 40 or 50 years. Perhaps we can provide a interest rate that
is half of the going norm for anyone who can demonstrate they are of Hawaiian descent.
10
Our economy is NOT diverse enough. Need more manufacturing 10
Wherein a process was designed to ignore the needs of Hawaiian people and is used to justify
reckless overdevelopment in the interests of global corporations and shareholder value. This is a
broad and general statement condemning the process and execution of The General Plan as
rigged to promote the prevailing interests of the ruling class. It is a classic exercise of pretending
to listen to community input. Its fundamental purpose is greenwashing and alohawashing. It is a
plan for the wealthy to continue to dominate and exploit the land of Hawaiʻi Island and its people.
It is a nightmare for Hawaiians. The concept at the core of the General Plan is usage: who can use
who to profit from exploitation of land. The fundamental issue at stake is a definition of the highest
and best use of the land: for profit or for sustenance. “The General Plan 2040 strives to position
Hawai‘i Island for economic progress…”“The overarching goal of the plan is to guide future
development…” The General Plan encourages exploitation of the land and the continued
marginalization of its people. The plan does nothing to either reclaim or protect water, beaches
and reefs. It encourages the further onslaught of tourists and luxury housing developments
centered around automobile transportation. For fundamentally it is a zoning plan for the interests
of the capitalized sector and a prelude for endless disputes. It does not represent the interests of
undercapitalized wage slaves; the under-employed, over-employed, or unemployed; the aged or
the homeless; those most in need of urban infrastructure with healthcare, mental health services,
and basic social services. This plan was prepared for public consumption by people who have
vested interests in its execution. The plan is not made to create affordable housing or a higher
higher quality of life for the current residents of Hawaiʻi and their families. It is not going to
redistribute the stolen lands of the Hawaiian people in an equitable manner. It is a an invitation for
the non-resident wealthy class to further launder money and invest in their own future.The General
Plan exposes what county politicians think is required to satisfy the donor class of contractors,
developers, and unions. Because this is not a plan. This is an excuse for overdevelopment. It is a
testament to the colonial ethic that everything is for sale to the highest bidder. But does Hawaiʻi
1
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Island really have to be made available for sale to the highest bidder? Or is there another way to
set our priorities? The definition of the future for Hawaii Island should be based on an expression
of Hawaiian values. If we truly want sustainability, it must be based on Hawaiian values of ʻāina. If
we truly want a regenerative economy, then we must capitalize kanaka, not global corporations.
Our solutions are local. It is time for a new plan.
what is the purpose of the word "now" here? I think it is unnecessary and distracting. 3
Could we require carbon offset by airlines? 10
maintain "and improve" Maintenance inadequate. 10
This should read "their" needs instead of referencing the population. You have already referred to
residents in the opening words.
10
I so agree that it is the people who are showing the government a better and more sustainable way
of life off grid. But theres no profit in that method folks. And there is no government control over a
self sustaining person. This is about power and control not about authentic self sustainability. Each
plan is devised by the planning department and their excessive number of affiliate organizations
too many to mention. Making it so very complicated to follow. Life is much more simple than that
at its core. Remember we are the only species on the planet that has to pay money to be here. The
truth is we really dont and it costs nothing if you use the resources properly and no "one agency"
has control over all of them. The native Hawaiians way of live and value system are proof of this
FACT. I cant see how all of this innovation is good for anyone or anything. I believe we are being
led to mass destruction and will eventually revert back to square one. When the grid goes down
AND IT WILL we will all be chopping wood and carrying water again. Its the best thing that could
ever happen a reboot to square one.
6
Air Transport of visitors to the State of Hawaii contributes 3x the GHG emissions by CO2(e) as all
electricity generation in the state and 6x the GHG emissions as all ground transportation in the
State. Is the mitigation going to include dramatic reductions in visitation here and elimination of
advertising Hawaii as destination?
10
The Greenhouse Gas emissions, when considering in addition to CO2 the non-CO2 emissions, for
visitors air transport to and from the state of Hawaii in 2019 were somewhere between equivalent
to the total of Hawaii's domestic GHG emissions and 2x that value in terms of CO2(e). If one uses
the method coming closest to the average value calculated by the eight Aviation emissions
calculators available on the internet and the eight global 'Regions of Origin' data provided by the
Hawaii Tourism Authority, one calculates the visitors air transport emissions at 1-1/2x Hawaii's total
domestic emissions. If one uses the factor endorsed by the IPCC along with HTA's visitor origin
data, one calculates the visitor's air transport emissions at 2x all Hawaii's domestic emissions. If
one factors in altitude of flight factors, this would become significantly greater than 2x Hawaii's
domestic emissions. "A high quality of life for residents is maintained until"... humanity's extinction
from climate change.
10
I have no idea as to what is meant by "flexible or mobile Household." 10
Draft General Plan 2045
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Sustainable and self-reliant communities exist right now through out Puna in particular in spite of
the county planning process not because of it. Whole communities live off grid right now here.
Thousands of people grow their own food in lower Puna right now. We get little to no help from
the county or state. We should be a laboratory for alternatives, low cost housing innovation, and
living, we already do it and have for decades. During and after the 2018 eruption I and others lived
in isolation for many months yet had good water, food, and electricity. After Tropical storm Issel
the community opened the roads not the county of national guard. We did it in 1 day and did not
see any national guard or county workers until 3 days later. I never lost power because I make my
wn. No grid required. We can teach you how to do things for less money that are more reliable.
Power is a good place to start. Making power where it is needed instead of in centralized power
plants makes sense right now. The grid is very expensive to build, maintain, and operate. It is an
outdated technology that served it's purpose but has become antiquated in the new 21st century.
The grid make whole communities and areas vulnerable to disruption because of natural or
external man caused disruptions where making the power on site completely eliminates those risk.
No risk of fires from downed lines, leaving the grid is far more efficient use of power produced by
eliminating line loss. Hardening the grid or building smart grids is utility driven to try and maintain
the business model they use, a monopoly. Battery tech is advancing so fast cost were reduced by
80% in just a few years. Expect that to continue and get even better while hardening or building
Smart grids will only get more expensive. The grid came from nailing a wire to a tree, this is the
21st century the grid is the problem now, certainly not the solution.
6
Improve clarity of this sentence (because, as) 8
The primary role of government in a free society is to defend the liberty of it's citizens. Please
recognize your primary commitment to personal liberties and freedoms.
9