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Home My WebLink About2025-01-14 KCDP Minutes Draft KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 January 14, 2025 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Chair Young called the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) 7 meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. A quorum was established with six members in attendance. This 8 meeting was held in person at the West Hawai’i Civic Center, B2 Conference Room and online via 9 the Zoom platform. 10 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mpQ22XZN08 12 ROLL CALL 13 Members Present (in person): Vice-Chair Nancy Pisicchio, John Pelletier, and Chair Charles Young 14 Members Present (via Zoom): David Huerta, Charla Thompson, and Heather Korotie 15 Members Absent: Roselyn Molina 16 County Staff Present: Kawelo Kalili (in person), Maryam Palma, Janice Hata, and Jessica Lahip 17 (via Zoom) 18 There were approximately 25 members of the public in attendance (10 in person and 15 via Zoom). 19 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 20 Committee member Pelletier moved to approve the minutes from the December 17, 2024, meeting 21 as drafted. Vice-Chair Pisicchio seconded. The motion passed unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE 22 TIMESTAMP 2:10] 23 BUSINESS 24 1. Mayor’s Boards and Commissions Collaboration – Discussion and potential action on 25 opportunities for collaboration with other boards and commissions. [SEE YOUTUBE 26 TIMESTAMP 4:45] 27 Chair Young emphasized the importance of collaboration with other boards and commissions, 28 highlighting that it would be beneficial for the committee. He committed to focusing on water-29 related issues by attending the State Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) 30 meetings and County Department of Water Supply (DWS) meetings. 31 Committee member Pelletier suggested working with the Cultural Resources Commission 32 (CRC) and the Leeward Planning Commission as other potential partners. 33 Vice-Chair Pisicchio mentioned that they are interested in collaborating with other Action 34 Committees regarding the Sunshine Law legislation. 35 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 14, 2025 2 Committee member Thompson expressed interest in water-related issues and shared that she 36 has been reviewing recommended water commission videos. She is particularly focused on the 37 Kealakehe Regional Park project and exploring involvement with relevant boards and 38 commissions, such as those related to open spaces and water. Additionally, she is working on 39 engaging with the Tree City USA initiative and has been in contact with Planning Department 40 staff and the Arbor Day Foundation for guidance. 41 Committee member Korotie expressed interest in exploring the cesspool-to-septic conversion 42 process, specifically whether better solutions are being considered. She plans to look into the 43 Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and identify which boards or groups might 44 be addressing this issue to engage further. 45 Chair Young emphasized the need for committee members to adhere to Sunshine Law 46 requirements, ensuring that no more than two members are present at the same meeting, 47 including Zoom sessions. He encouraged members to independently pursue their areas of 48 interest and raise any significant concerns or topics for discussion as agenda items during 49 future meetings. Chair Young expressed appreciation for their commitment and encouraged 50 members to exercise discretion in their efforts while reserving the agenda for their 51 recommendations. 52 2. Neighborhood Boards Bill – Discussion and potential action on whether the Action 53 Committee should submit testimony to Senate committees. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 54 12:36] 55 The Action Committee discussed the next steps for a bill they had voted to support, focusing 56 on how to proceed if it is posted before their next meeting. Members suggested drafting a letter 57 of support based on finalized bill language, circulating it for approval, and ensuring Sunshine 58 Law compliance. Planning Department staff, Maryam, proposed agreeing on key bullet points 59 during the meeting to expedite the process, with Vice-Chair drafting the letter accordingly. 60 Vice-Chair Pisicchio shared updates from Senator Kanuha, noting the finalized draft might be 61 available Friday evening. Committee member Pelletier moved for Vice-Chair Pisicchio to 62 update the previous testimony the AC submitted on February 21, 2024, with necessary edits to 63 the bill number and date and resubmitting it to both the Senate and House. Vice-Chair, 64 Pisicchio, seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 65 3. General Plan Discussion – Discussion and potential action regarding submitting comment 66 to the Leeward Planning Commission. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:46] 67 Chair Young approved for Committee Member Pelletier to share his update on the December 68 19th Leeward Planning Commission meeting. Committee member Pelletier shared that the 69 testimony submitted at the last meeting went well, though there wasn’t much discussion from 70 the Commission. He noted that the upcoming meeting on Thursday, January 16th may involve 71 more decision-making. He also outlined two key topics from the testimony: concerns about 72 transit-related aspects in the general plan and the issue of designating property outside of the 73 urban growth area for development, which was voted on due to concerns over urban sprawl. 74 The committee plans to follow up on these points in future discussions. 75 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 14, 2025 3 Public Testimony: 76 • Josephine Keliʻipio provided testimony expressing concern about the shift towards 77 transit-oriented development and "smart cities," which they fear could lead to 78 surveillance-based systems like those in China. They opposed these developments, 79 emphasizing that they are not suitable for the local community [SEE YOUTUBE 80 TIMESTAMP 27:31] 81 • Burke Matsuyama provided testimony inquiring about the status of zoning changes 82 related to the General Plan and how it might impact his five-acre grocery store 83 development. He sought an update on the land use process and timeline for when the 84 plan will be accepted. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 31:04] 85 • Rebecca Melendez provided testimony criticizing the General Plan for being vague and 86 lacking clarity on the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program and its impact 87 on landowner rights, particularly regarding environmental restrictions and private 88 property development. They also expressed concerns about the plan’s push for smart 89 grid infrastructure, 5G technology, and the lack of research on health risks, while 90 emphasizing the need for local jobs and innovative solutions to resource issues like 91 power outages and waste management. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 38:56] 92 • Robert Gay provided testimony arguing that climate change is primarily driven by the 93 amount of sunlight reaching the Earth, not CO2 levels, citing the minimal human 94 contribution to CO2 emissions. They pointed to the 2021 eruption of the Hunga Tonga 95 volcano, which released massive amounts of water and sulfur dioxide into the 96 atmosphere, causing temporary cooling effects, and emphasized the importance of 97 considering these factors in climate discussions. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 52:34] 98 • Will Pode provided testimony expressing concern that people are unaware of the 99 changes in the general plan, citing a recent experience where farmers were affected by 100 shifts in the plan without prior knowledge. They requested more time for public 101 awareness before the bill is passed. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:01:06] 102 • Shellie Davis provided testimony expressing concern that homeowners and 103 landowners, particularly Native Hawaiians, were not properly notified about the 104 general plan, and questioned whether the county had plans to protect their property 105 rights. They argued that the plan could lead to the forced removal of property owners, 106 urging the county to prioritize residents' rights and ensure transparency in the planning 107 process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:05:54] 108 Chair Young reminded the audience that updating the general plan is mandated by law and is 109 essential for good planning, as conditions change over time. Chair acknowledged that 110 communication could have been better and emphasized that the current plan is an update based 111 on previous versions and current conditions. Vice-Chair Pisicchio clarified that the Action 112 Committee's role is to discuss concerns and consider potential amendments, but the actual 113 decision-making responsibility lies with those in charge of reviewing the general plan. They 114 emphasized that recommendations for more public meetings or amendments would be 115 forwarded to the Planning Commission for further action. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 116 1:17:28] 117 • Elizabeth Cook provided testimony rejecting the current plan and called for a new one 118 created by the people, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in decision-119 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 14, 2025 4 making. They expressed concern that government often fails to act in the best interest of 120 local communities and urged elected officials to listen to the people. [SEE YOUTUBE 121 TIMESTAMP 1:17:28] 122 • Randy Rupar provided testimony emphasizing the need for a new approach, criticizing the 123 vague concept of "stakeholders" in the current plan and expressing frustration that the 124 government's actions often fail to meet local needs. They advocated for more community-125 driven solutions and better use of available technology to address pressing issues like water 126 and climate change, while urging transparency and accountability from elected officials. 127 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:25:40] 128 • Michael Sofranko provided testimony sharing their experience of fighting against 129 environmental changes, particularly related to the sugar cane industry and timber projects, 130 stressing the importance of informing the public about such changes beforehand. They also 131 criticized the lack of transparency about stakeholders' interests and suggested a more 132 voluntary, trial-based approach to implementing new policies to better understand their 133 potential impact. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:32:28] 134 • Juhl Rayne provided testimony via Zoom expressing strong opposition to the ongoing 135 planning processes, comparing them to a UN agenda and raising concerns about the impact 136 of policies like those in Kona and other regions. They emphasized the lack of public input, 137 calling for more transparency and citizen engagement to protect future generations' 138 freedom. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:39:20] 139 • Chuck Flaherty provided testimony via Zoom emphasizing protecting cultural preserve 140 areas to uphold native Hawaiian rights. They urged the committee to review their 141 testimony, address wastewater issues, and advocate for restoring public access and cultural 142 protections in the General Plan during future Planning Commission meetings. [SEE 143 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:41:58] 144 • Joyal Yasuda provided testimony via Zoom emphasizing the importance of protecting 145 Hawai‘i’s land and cultural heritage, drawing on ancestral wisdom and the sacred 146 connection between people and the land. They urged the committee to make decisions that 147 honor their kupuna and ensure a legacy of stewardship for future generations, grounded in 148 aloha and responsibility. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:46:24] 149 • Kalei Kaʻilikini provided testimony via Zoom opposing the 2045 General Plan, citing flaws 150 in land use designations and concerns over the inclusion of "stakeholders" that could 151 empower billionaires and corporations over local residents. She also emphasized 152 addressing homelessness, referencing its health impacts, and urged research into weather 153 modification technologies, linking them to disasters like the Lahaina fires. [SEE 154 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:54:47] 155 • Adrienne Hew provided testimony via Zoom raising concerns about California's water 156 diversion by a billionaire couple for private farming, tying it to issues like stakeholder 157 influence, smart meters, and infrastructure failures linked to wildfires. They also 158 recommended the book How Europe Underdeveloped Africa to highlight parallels with 159 systemic land grabs and urged specificity in the general plan to avoid similar outcomes. 160 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:02:06] 161 • April Lee provided testimony via Zoom regarding the need for transparency and 162 accountability in the county's general plan, calling for annual audited reports on financial 163 inflows, expenditures, and contractor activities. They highlighted concerns about water 164 access, neglected infrastructure, and the misuse of funds, urging the county to prioritize 165 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 14, 2025 5 community needs and ensure responsible resource management. [SEE YOUTUBE 166 TIMESTAMP 2:06:23] 167 Vice-Chair Pisicchio and Committee member Pelletier agreed to attend the Leeward Planning 168 Commission meeting on January 16th to participate in further discussions regarding the AC’s 169 testimony from the previous meeting. They plan to provide a report to the AC at the February 170 meeting. 171 4. Kealakehe Regional Park Update – Update from Action Committee members and 172 discussion regarding any actions the Committee may pursue. [SEE YOUTUBE 173 TIMESTAMP 2:14:00] 174 The AC discussed the lack of response from the Department of Parks and Recreation regarding 175 the project and proposed inviting the new Department of Parks and Recreation administrator 176 for an update. Vice-Chair Pisicchio moved to send a letter, signed by the chair, requesting 177 updates on the regional park’s master plan and status of impact studies, as progress appears to 178 be in early stages despite the plan being in development since the 1990s. Committee member 179 Pelletier seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 180 Chair Young deferred the announcements to the next meeting and mentioned finalizing the 181 agenda beforehand. The meeting adjourned with unanimous approval, ending 20 minutes over 182 the scheduled time. 183 ADJOURNMENT 184 The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:17:51] 185 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 186 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 187 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by 188 calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 189