The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2024-08-08 PCDP Minutes Final Page 1 PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE COUNTY OF HAWAI’I FINAL MINUTES August 8, 2024 CALL TO ORDER Chair Kanoe Wilson called the Puna Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. A quorum was established with seven members in attendance. This meeting was held in person at the Keaʻau Community Center and via the Zoom online platform. ROLL CALL AC Members Present (in person): Susan Osborne, Vice-Chair Leilani DeMello, Martha Morishige AC Members Present (via Zoom): Chair Kanoe Wilson, Gregory Henkel, Leila Kealoha, Jennifer Scheffel, and Franny Brewer (arrived at 5:23 p.m.) AC Members Absent: None County Staff: Maryam Palma and Janice Hata There were approximately 24 members of the public in attendance (9 in person and 15 via Zoom). APPROVAL OF MINUTES Committee member Kealoha made a motion to approve the June 6, 2024, minutes. The motion was seconded by Committee member Scheffel. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: None at this time. BUSINESS: 1. Puna Brochure Permitted Interaction Group – Decision making on whether to create a Permitted Interaction Group to investigate the existing Puna brochure. Public testimony from Carey Yost requested the committee be mindful of expired links within the drafted brochure and to find new ways of incorporating links as agency website URLs frequently change. Committee member Franny Brewer was added as a member to the existing PIG. Other members of the Puna Brochure PIG include Susie Osborne, Leila Kealoha, and Jen Scheffel. Committee member Kealoha commented on the history and importance of this brochure. It is a key resource for the community to have access to. There was a brief discussion on where the brochure will live – options included the Planning Department website and hard copies for distribution. www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 2 Planning Department staff offered to support the PIG with meeting logistics and other work, as needed. 2. State Representative Update – District 4 State Representative Greggor Ilagan provided specific updates regarding current and future initiatives for Puna. Representative Ilagan provided an update on the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) bus service routes. Starting Monday, August 12, 2024, the previously suspended school bus routes will be reinstated. Committee Member Osborne noted the inequity in public transportation for charter school students. She also reminded that charter schools are not included under the term “DOE” but are when the term “public schools” is used. Representative Ilagan is interested in bringing a corrections training facility that will include, obstacle course, firing range, and dormitories that will train statewide corrections personnel. There was a discussion regarding Hawaiʻi Island-made labeling to support the local agricultural industry. Representative Ilagan is working on several healthcare initiatives that would benefit the Puna community. Representative Ilagan also stated his support for an alternate route for the Puna district in order to alleviate traffic and provide connectivity in times of an emergency or natural disaster. Council Member Kierkiewicz reminded the Committee and members of the public that the County Council voted against Bill 107, which would have allowed for the acceptance of $1 million in State funds. The County Council later approved Bill 131, which accepts $1 million in State funds, supplemented by an additional $1 million from the County, totaling $2 million. The funds are reserved for the County Department of Public Works to carry out a comprehensive study on alternate routes in both Puna Makai and Mauka areas. 3. Overview of CDP Action Committee Purpose and Puna CDP Implementation Priorities – Additional speakers Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz and Recovery Staff Zoë Callahan provided information on the County’s Resilience Capacity Areas (RCAs). The Committee will discuss which implementation projects to pursue based off findings in the Puna CDP document. Link to presentation slides: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGNBhYOuHA/8tmRoKyNQmka8YUfWcuxCw/view ?utm_content=DAGNBhYOuHA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz and Revitalize Puna Coordinator Zoë Callahan presented a comprehensive update on Revitalize Puna and the Resilience Capacity Areas (RCA). The presentation emphasized the placemaking approach to the recovery process and resilience planning efforts. Hannah Hedrick provided public testimony. www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov CDP@hawaiicounty.gov Page 3 Stephanie Bath provided public testimony. Jim Klyman provided public testimony. PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: 1. Orchidland Neighborhood Park 2. Continued discussion of AC implementation priorities 3. Update from the Office of Senator Joy San Buenaventura 4. Draft letter to support conservation around land acquisition, building permits, surpassed carrying capacity of people and the imminent threat from the lack of infrastructure for Puna. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:30 P.M. These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov.