HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorth Kohala Community Development Plan - Final 2008NORTH KOHALA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FINAL
November 2008
“KEEP KOHALA, KOHALA”
Appendix A, as amended to Draft 2
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-151
NORTH KOHALA’S VISION
We are a community that respects, preserves and honors our history,
our land, and our diverse culture. We value access to our shores, our
forests, and our streams.
We have a broad range of programs for our youth that includes work
on the land. We have good social services, recreation, health, and
education.
We are friendly and hard working people, which enables us to
continue to build our small businesses and create jobs as part of our
sustainable economic development.
We have a strong community voice in the development of affordable
housing, the use of our land, and the development of alternative energy
sources.
‘Ohana and the Spirit of Aloha are the foundations of our community.
NORTH KOHALA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FINAL
November 2008
The County of Hawai‘i General Plan section 15.1 (February 2005, as amended) calls for the preparation of
community development plans “to translate the broad General Plan statements to specific actions as they
apply to specific geographical areas.” The General Plan requires CDPs be adopted as an “ordinance”,
giving the plans force of law. This is a long term plan with a planning horizon to year 2020, consistent
with the General Plan. An electronic version of the plan is available for download at
http://www.hcrc.info/community-planning/community-development-plans/
Adopted: November 5, 2008
Appendix A, as amended to Draft 2
PREPARED FOR:
THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
PREPARED BY:
THE NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF:
THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I PLANNING DEPARTMENT
AND TOWNSCAPE, INC.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Steering Committee
Fern White, Chair
Bob Martin, Vice Chair
Henry Dulan
David Fuertes
Mike Isaacs
Alvin Kawamoto
Carolyn Lancaster
Ted Matsuda
Focus Groups
Public Access
Growth Management
Affordable Housing
Infrastructure
(Due to large number of participants, names
are listed in Appendix A)
County Council
Brenda Ford
Stacy Higa
Pete Hoffman
Donald Ikeda
Bob Jacobson
Emily Naeole
Angel Pilago
Dominic Yagong
J. Yoshimoto
Planning Commission
Andrew Iwashita
Rodney Watanabe
Alvin Rho
Shelly Ogata
William Graham
Christian Alameda
Rene Siracusa
Takashi Domingo
Rell Woodward
County of Hawai‘i Staff
Planning Department
Christopher Yuen, Director
Allen Salavea, CDP Project Manager
Christian Kay, Planner
Mayor’s Office
Roy Takemoto, Assistant to the Mayor
Department of Research & Development
Jane Testa, Director
Alex Frost, HCRC
Consultants
Townscape, Inc.
Island Transitions LLC
Website:
http://www.hcrc.info/community-
planning/community-development-plans/
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NORTH KOHALA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1
1.1 PLANNING AREA.......................................................................................1
1.2 VISION, GOAL, VALUES............................................................................1
1.3 KEEP KOHALA, KOHALA...........................................................................3
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE CDP..............................................................................4
1.5 PLANNING PROCESS.................................................................................4
2. KOHALA TODAY................................................................................................10
2.1 PHYSICAL SETTING & HISTORY..............................................................10
2.2 NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES.....................................................11
2.3 DEMOGRAPHICS & ECONOMICS...........................................................12
2.4 LAND USE................................................................................................14
2.5 INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC FACILITIES................................................20
2.6 COMMUNITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS .................................................21
3. KOHALA TOMORROW......................................................................................22
3.1 PRIORITY ISSUES & GOALS.....................................................................22
3.2 KEY POLICIES...........................................................................................22
3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL CONCEPT MAP.............................24
4. ACTION PROGRAMS.........................................................................................26
4.1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT ......................................................................26
4.2 PUBLIC ACCESS.......................................................................................40
4.3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING.........................................................................56
4.4 INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC FACILITIES................................................71
5. CDP IMPLEMENTATION ....................................................................................92
5.1 FINANCING GUIDELINES........................................................................92
5.2 ACTION COMMITTEE..............................................................................94
5.3 IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX....................................................................96
6. MONITORING PLAN .......................................................................................100
7. REFERENCES .....................................................................................................104
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APPENDICES
A. List of Focus Group Members
B. Affordable Housing Survey
C. Draft Ordinance Amending Chapter 16, Hawai‘i County Code 1983, Establishing a
framework for the Community Development Plans and Establishing the CDP Action
Committee
D. General Plan Courses of Action for North Kohala
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: The District of North Kohala.............................................................2
Figure 2: Population......................................................................................13
Figure 3: County Zoning in North Kohala......................................................15
Figure 4: County of Hawai‘i LUPAG Map for North Kohala...........................17
Figure 5: Large Landowners in North Kohala.................................................18
Figure 6: North Kohala Environmental and Cultural Concept Map.................25
Figure 7: Key Purchases to Preserve the North Kohala Coast..........................31
Figure 8: Proposed Down-Zonings ................................................................33
Figure 9: North Kohala Public Access Map....................................................50
Figure 10: State-owned Parcels in North Kohala..............................................65
Figure 11: Pratt Road Alignment......................................................................81
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: CRP Meetings – Summary of Capacity Building & Gathering Ideas....6
Table 2: CRP Meetings – Summary of community ideas..................................7
Table 3: Steering Committee Meetings............................................................8
Table 4: Focus Group Meetings......................................................................9
Table 5: Public Community Meetings.............................................................9
Table 6: Re-zonings......................................................................................19
Table 7: Subdivisions ...................................................................................19
Table 8: Special Permits...............................................................................20
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ACRONYMS
CDP Community Development Plan
CERT Community Emergency Response Team
CRP Community Readiness Program
DLNR State Department of Land and Natural Resources
DOH State Department of Health
DPW County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works
DWS County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply
EA Environmental Assessment
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
FCC Federal Communications Commission
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
GIS Geographic Information System
HILT Hawai‘i Island Land Trust
HICDC Hawai‘i Island Community Development Corporation
IAL Important Agricultural Land
LUPAG Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide
MGD Millions of Gallons per Day
NRC Neighborhood Recycling Center
NK North Kohala
PUC Public Utilities Commission
SC Steering Committee
TMK Tax Map Key
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant
DEFINITIONS
Action Program – The set of steps needed to carry out a “Strategy,” including “WHO will take the
lead,” “WHAT needs to be done,” WHEN will actions take place,” “HOW MUCH will it cost,”
and “Intended Outcome.”
Ahupua‘a – Land divisions used by ancient Hawaiians that extended from the top of the mountain
to the fishing waters of the sea, similar to today’s concept of a watershed. These wedge-shaped
divisions of land contained all of the resources needed for human survival, and provided the
principal physical and social structure for Native Hawaiian society.
Cultural Landscapes – Areas with high concentrations of cultural sites. The landscape as a whole
is important, since the sites are often positioned in relation to each other. Archaeological experts
have identified Kohala’s coast as one of the most intact cultural landscapes in the state.
Dwelling – A building or part thereof designed for or used for residential occupancy or both and
containing one or more dwelling units, and includes double-family dwelling or duplex, mobile
dwelling, multiple-family dwelling and single-family dwelling.
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Environmental impact statement – An informational document prepared in compliance with
chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and which discloses the environmental effects of a proposed
action, effects of a proposed action on the economic and social welfare of the community and
state, effects of the economic activities arising out of the proposed action, measures proposed to
minimize adverse effects, and alternatives to the action and their environmental effects.
Family – An individual or two or more persons related by blood, state-sanctioned adoption, foster
parentage, guardianship or marriage, or a group of not more than five unrelated persons (excluding
servants), occupying a dwelling unit. The term includes individuals in larger group living situations
described as group living facilities and family child care homes.
Farm dwelling - A single-family dwelling located on or used in connection with a farm, or if the
agricultural activity provides income to the family occupying the dwelling.
Kohala Field System – Ancient system of fields in the mauka section of North Kohala, where
various crops were grown, also known as the “Kohala kula lands.”
Lot – A building site or a parcel of land shown as a unit on an approved subdivision map, or a
survey map.
LUPAG (Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide) – The County of Hawai‘i General Plan LUPAG map
indicates the general location of various existing and future land uses in relation to each other.
Makai – Towards the ocean.
Mauka – Inland, upland, towards the mountains.
Ohana dwelling - A second dwelling unit permitted to be built as a separate or an attached unit on
a building site, but does not include a guest house or a farm dwelling.
Ordinance – Law enacted by a municipal body, such as a city or county council. Ordinances
govern matters not already covered by state or federal laws.
Policies – A specific statement that guides decision-making. It is based on and helps implement a
plan’s goals, vision, and values.
Recycling center – An establishment on a building site, with or without buildings, upon which
used materials are separated and processed for shipment for eventual reuse in new products. A
recycling collection point or an area which serves only as a drop-off point for temporary storage of
recyclables shall not be considered a recycling center.
Resort area – An area with facilities to accommodate the needs and desires primarily of visitors,
tourists and transient guests.
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Single-family dwelling – A building containing only one dwelling unit.
Special Management Area – The land extending inland from the shoreline as delineated on the
maps filed with the Planning Commission as of June 8, 1977, or as amended pursuant to Section
9-21.
Special Permit – Permit issued by the County that allows an unusual and reasonable use of land
situated within the Agricultural or Rural District, that would promote the effectiveness and
objectives of Chapter 205, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, as amended.
Strategies – Specific ways for goals to be reached. The strategies then need a sequence of action
steps to be carried out.
Subdivision Code – Chapter 23 of the Hawai‘i County Code. The County Code for all “subdivided
land,” which consists of improved or unimproved land(s) divided into two or more lots, parcels,
sites, or other divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale, lease, rental,
transfer of title to or interest in, any or all such parcels.
Vision – What the community sees as the ideal conditions for its future.
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Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 1
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 PLANNING AREA
The planning area for the North Kohala Community Development Plan encompasses the North
Kohala District. This district consists of approximately 80,350 acres (125.5 square miles) located
in the northwest portion of the Island of Hawai‘i. North Kohala is the smallest of the nine Big
Island districts, comprising only 3% of the island’s total land area. The district is bordered by the
South Kohala District to the south, and the Hämäkua District to the east. The ocean defines the
region’s north and west borders.
1.2 VISION, GOAL, VALUES
The long-range VISION of the North Kohala community is presented at the very beginning of this
document. The overall GOAL of the North Kohala Community Development Plan is:
To manage the future growth of the district in a manner that is consistent with the Kohala
lifestyle and ideals of being a rural community with a strong cultural heritage, an
agricultural base, and a small town feel.
The North Kohala Community VALUES include the following words and phrases:
x Spirituality and prayer (pule)
xcOhana
x Honoring the past
x History of Kamehameha
x We stand together for the caina,
the community, and each other
x Open space
x Protecting natural resources
x Humility is strength
x Being respectful
x Bridging old ways with the new
x Tolerance towards your
neighbor
x Give and take; give comes first
CULTURAL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMUNITY: In order to honor and preserve an
unparalleled historical heritage that includes heiau, ancient settlements, and other 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.
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 2
Figure 1: The District of North Kohala
Source: County of Hawai‘i
Created by: Townscape, Inc.
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 3
1.3 KEEP KOHALA, KOHALA
There has been a long history of change in North Kohala, from the original subsistence farming
and gathering practiced by the Native Hawaiians, to the sugar plantation days, to the post-
plantation era. The district continues to evolve today, and long-time residents have recognized
and adapted to the changes, although at times with some reluctance.
The phrase “Keep Kohala, Kohala” was expressed may times by many community members
throughout the planning process. What does it mean to “Keep Kohala, Kohala”?
The Kohala community generally believes that “Keeping Kohala, Kohala” means maintaining the
Kohala Lifestyle. This lifestyle was, to a large extent, created by the sugar plantation and ranching.
Villages were created around sugar mills and ranching headquarters. People were segregated with
minimal interaction between ethnic groups.
In these times, people grew crops and raised animals in designated areas. It was a lifestyle of
sharing, and a system of exchange and bartering developed. Neighbors helped each other harvest,
and generally looked out for each other. Within the various camps, there was a strong sense of
community, as people were more concerned about the camp as a whole, than their personal
needs. People made short-term sacrifices for the long-term good.
People also made use of the natural resources around them – mango trees in the gulches, fish in
the ocean, pigs in the mountains, and other resources they could gather from the streams or
valleys.
As time went by, the camps began to intermingle. Inter-racial marriages took place, which began
the evolution of Kohala’s unique ethnic and cultural mix. Eventually, the Kohala Sugar Company
began to break down its camps and offer plantation workers residential lots. After years of living
on the plantation, residents became small land owners. The North Kohala community began to
arise.
With this move to ownership of the land, the
people took with them their household
goods, as well as their animals. They used
their houselots for raising their animals and
to grow their vegetables. They continued the
system of sharing, bartering, and using the
natural resources. This way of living
continues today in Kohala.
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 4
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE CDP
The purposes of the North Kohala CDP (Community Development Plan) are to:
x Articulate North Kohala’s residents’ Vision and Values for their Community
x Identify North Kohala’s residents’ Priority Issues to be addressed by the CDP
x Develop Strategies and Action Programs to address those Priority Issues
According to the Hawai‘i County General Plan, the CDPs are intended to:
x Be the forum for community input into managing growth and coordinating the delivery of
government services to the community
x Translate the broad General Plan statements to specific actions
x Direct physical development and public improvements within a specific area
x Focus on action
The North Kohala CDP will be enacted as a County Ordinance.
As an ordinance, the CDP can have policies that are mandatory. For example, Policy No. 4 (page
22) on Agricultural Subdivisions states that: “Any proposed Agricultural Subdivision in North
Kohala shall submit an agricultural production plan with their preliminary subdivision application
that clearly demonstrates that the land will be primarily used for active agriculture, and that any
proposed dwellings will be farm dwellings.” This is mandatory language; the key mandatory verb
here is “shall.”
Other policies are intended to be guidelines that are important but not legally binding. An
example of a policy that provides general guidance but not specific requirements is the policy
regarding population growth: “Recognize North Kohala as a Rural Community that should not
experience significant urban/suburban development that impacts population growth.” The key
verb here is “should.”
1.5 PLANNING PROCESS
The Hawai‘i County Planning Department recognizes that only with broad public input can North
Kohala residents take ownership of this plan, to embrace the Vision and commit to the follow-up
actions necessary for its implementation and success. Initiated in June 2005 with the beginning of
the “Community Readiness Program” (CRP), this plan is the result of an extensive public
participation process that is summarized below.
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 5
x CRP Process – The Community Readiness Program (CRP) was intended to prepare the
North Kohala community for the CDP process. The CRP included community workshops
and over 60 small group meetings that took place during 2005 and 2006.
x Steering Committee – An 11-member Steering Committee was formed to broadly represent
the North Kohala community and assist in the preparation of the CDP. The Steering
Committee met at least once a month between June 2007 and September 2008 (23
meetings) to review CDP material and plan for upcoming events. Many Steering
Committee members also participated in Focus Groups.
x Focus Groups – One Focus Group was formed to address each of the four Priority Issues:
Growth Management, Public Access, Affordable Housing, and Infrastructure. Each Focus
Group met several times to discuss and decide on the goals, strategies, and action steps for
their issue.
x General Community Meetings – Four
Community Meetings were held
throughout the CDP process to
provide for community input on the
ideas that were developed by the
Focus Groups, Steering Committee,
the Planning Consultant, and the
Hawai‘i County Planning
Department.
Community Meeting April 16, 2008
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 6
1.3.1 MEETINGS HELD
Table 1: CRP Meetings – Summary of Capacity Building & Gathering Ideas
TIMEFRAME ACTIVITY # OF PARTICIPANTS
June 22, 2005 NK Community Planning Committee at the
Barn
26
August 9, 2005 Follow up meeting “Organize” 10
August 23, 2005 CRP Introduction meeting at Kohala High 100+
August 24, 2005 NK Community Economic Development 5
September 3, 2005 Basic Facilitation Training at the Barn 5
October 2006 GIS Training for Kohala High School 8
April 26, 2006 CRP Follow up 10
July 8, 2006 NK Land Use Workshop 72
May – June 2006 Facilitator Training 20
June – September 2006 Small Group Meetings 730
August 5, 2006 NK Group Talk Story Session 68
November 16, 2006 Community Meeting “What are we saying?” 45
Total # of CRP Participants 1091+
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 7
Table 2: CRP Meetings – Summary of community ideas
Key Area I – Community, Culture & Housing
Code(s) Themes # of
Ideas
1.1 KOH/RURAL Keep Kohala, Kohala! Like Past, Present or Better for the Future 356
1.2 HALEKANAKA More Option for Affordable Housing & Land for the Local People 214
1.3 HEALTH Healthy Activities for the Community, Especially for Keiki 169
1.4 SOC Social Issues – Drug Prevention & Education 109
1.5 CTR Celebrate Local Culture 107
1.6 GOV More Accountability & Local Decision Making 85
Total 1040
Key Area II – Rural Growth
Code(s) Themes # of
Ideas
2.1 GM: LAND USE Manage Growth! Keep Kohala Rural, Not Playground for the Rich 229
2.2 ECONOMY More Economic Activities – Shopping, Eating, etc. 143
2.3 ECON – JOB Create More Local Job Opportunities for the Future Generations 119
2.4 CINE/WASH Bring Back the Movie Theater: We Need Laundry Facilities 74
2.5 PLAN Better Planning 53
2.6 ECON – NOFRAN Limit Big Box & Franchises to Keep the Rural Atmosphere 53
Total 671
Key Area III – Open Space, Parks, Historic Sites & Working Lands
Code(s) Themes # of
Ideas
3.1 M/K Keep Community Access Open to the Land – Coastline, Mauka & Makai 179
3.2 AINA Preserve Open Spaces & Natural Resources 151
3.3 PARK Upgrade Our Parks, Fields, Swimming Pools with New Activities 135
3.4 AG Encourage Local Agriculture – Resident Grow More Local Food 87
3.5 ALT More Sidewalks, Bike Paths, Multi-Mode Trails 41
3.6 SITE Preserve Historical Sites 21
Total 614
Key Area IV – Infrastructure – Roads, Public Facilities, Utilities & Services
Code(s) Themes # of
Ideas
4. 1 EDU Upgrade Our Education System 157
4.2 ROADS Better Roads & Access Around Kohala 86
4.3 MED Upgrade Our Hospital 65
4.4 LIGHTS N/Y More or NO Street & Traffic Lights 48
4.5 ENG More Renewable & Alternative Energy Development (Solar & Wind) 31
4.6 5O More Police & Fire 31
4.7 WST Better Waste Management & Recycling 29
4.8 WTR Water Access 22
4.9 TRANSIT More Public Transportation Systems 22
Total 543
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 8
Table 3: North Kohala Steering Committee Meetings
MEETING
#MEETING DATE MAIN AGENDA ITEMS
1 June 13, 2007
Election of Chair & Vice Chair; Townscape Presentation; Overview
of CRP; Review of CDP Workplan & Timeline; Discuss Priority
Issues
2 July 11, 2007
Develop Preliminary Vision Statement, Community Values, &
Environmental Concept
3 August 1, 2007
Presentation on State & County Land Use Systems; County
Recognized Ocean Access; Rezoning Ordinances; NKSC Meeting
Management & Publicity
4 September 5, 2007
County Identified Ocean Access Trails; Rezoning & Special Permits;
Community Meeting Debrief; Focus Group Reports
5 October 3, 2007
Presentation on Special Permits; Reports from Access and Growth
Management Focus Groups
6 November 7, 2007
Presentation on Kohala Community Land Trust; Focus Group
Reports
7 December 5, 2007
Presentation on Kohala Watershed Partnership; Focus Group
Reports; Planning for 2nd Community Meeting
8 January 2, 2008 Focus Group Reports; Planning for 2nd Community Meeting
9 February 6, 2008
Overview of Working Papers; 2nd Community Meeting Evaluation &
Debrief
10 March 5, 2008
Comments on Preliminary Draft by Planning Director, Corporation
Counsel, and Steering Committee; Planning for 3rd Community
Meeting
11 March 19, 2008
Report from DWS, SC discussion and decisions on some issues
related to the Public Review Draft (due March 26, 2008)
12 April 2, 2008 SC comments on Public Review Draft
13 May 7, 2008
Debrief of April 16th Community Meeting; Review of comments on
Public Review Draft
14 May 14, 2008
Planning Director’s comments on the Public Review Draft; Focus
Group Round Robins
15 May 16, 2008 Focus Group Round Robins continued
16 May 19, 2008
Focus Group Round Robin wrap-up; SC discussion on Affordable
Housing section of draft CDP
17 May 27, 2008 SC discussion and decision-making on draft CDP
18 June 2, 2008 SC discussion and decision-making continued
19 June 4, 2008 SC discussion and decision-making continued
20 June 12, 2008
SC discussion and decision-making continued. Approval of Prefinal
CDP.
21 July 2, 2008 To be determined
22 August 6, 2008 To be determined
23 September 3, 2008 To be determined
Chapter 1 Introduction
North Kohala CDP Page 9
Table 4: Focus Group Meetings
ACCESS GROWTH
MANAGEMENT
AFFORDABLE
HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE
September 19, 2007 September 27, 2007 October 4, 2007 October 10, 2007
September 26, 2007 October 17, 2007 October 30, 2007 October 24, 2007
October 11, 2007 November 20, 2007 November 20, 2007 November 14, 2007
October 17, 2007 April 10, 2008 April 14, 2008
October 23, 2007 April 12, 2008 April 21, 2008
October 29, 2007 April 29, 2008 April 28, 2008
November 5, 2007 May 20, 2008 May 13, 2008
November 8, 2007
November 16, 2007
November 28, 2007
January 23, 2008
January 30, 2008
February 13, 2008
February 20, 2008
March 11, 2008
April 1, 2008
April 8, 2008
April 23, 2008
April 30, 2008
May 12, 2008
May 18, 2008
*Meetings with all Focus Groups combined were held on January 16, March 12, 14, 19, and May
14, 16, & 19, 2008
Table 5: General Community Meetings
MEETING # MEETING DATE PURPOSE
1 August 8, 2007
Presentation of CDP Process & Schedule; Connection of CRP
Process to CDP; Verification of Priority Issues
2 January 12, 2008
The CDP Team shared the main Goals and Strategies
developed to date, and got community feedback.
3 April 16, 2008 Present and get community input on Public Review Draft CDP
4 To be determined End of Process Celebration
Community Meeting August 8, 2007
Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 10
2. KOHALA TODAY
2.1 PHYSICAL SETTING & HISTORY
Most residents of North Kohala are very connected to this special place. They enjoy its remote
setting and ruggedness, rich cultural history, agricultural traditions, and small-town feel.
The district of North Kohala is relatively remote and isolated because it is located in the
northwestern corner of the island, at the end of the Akoni Pule Highway and the Kohala Mountain
Road, which are the only accesses into and out of Kohala. Along the western shore of the district,
the topography is fairly level, gently sloping upward from the coast to the Kohala Mountains. In
contrast, the windward side of North Kohala contains deep canyon-like valleys and steep vertical
cliffs.
Much of the heritage of Kohala is based on the legacy of King Kamehameha I, one of the great
heroes in Hawaiian history. Many of the major place names in Kohala commemorate significant
events surrounding King Kamehameha’s birth. His “birthing stones” are located near ‘Upolu, the
northern-most part of the district (and the island). There are many parts of the Kohala landscape
that still show his mark on the land, such as the tunnel that he dug out to allow easier access down
to Keawaeli Bay and the numerous lo‘i that he worked in early on in his life. King Kamehameha
later used the district to train his army. In order to support the many men that he had gathered
there, great quantities of food were grown in the mauka areas. These lands are known as the
“Kohala field system.” Terraces still exist that show where these fields were located.
Another significant part of Kohala’s history is that of the sugar plantations that dominated the
region between the late 1800s into the 1970s. Although the fertile lands of Kohala are no longer
utilized for sugar, they still have considerable agricultural potential. Many residents would like to
see this potential maximized.
Overall, the district has a landscape filled with remnants of “Hawai‘i past,” including evidence of
all of the major epochs in the islands’ history:
x Pre-contact – ancient Hawaiian fishing villages, house sites, heiau, ko‘a, and hundreds of
other important cultural sites. Some cultural experts believe the Kohala coast contains one
of the most intact “cultural landscapes” in the state because of its high density of cultural
sites.
x Early traders, missionaries, and ranchers – the Bond Estate and Ranches that were started
in the 1800s and are still functioning today
x Plantation days – Kohala Ditch, field systems, continued agricultural tradition
Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 11
Kohala’s landscape tells its history from pre-contact to modern day. While other places may have
some evidence of this history, they are generally not as well preserved, or else do not cover as
large or contiguous an area as in Kohala. In addition, Kohala has perpetuated the cultural heritage
of “Hawai‘i past” through its varied ethnic mix.
The key planning implications related to Kohala’s physical setting and history include:
x Remoteness – The area is relatively remote and rural, and residents want to keep it that
way.
x Historical/cultural significance – Important cultural sites and landscapes should be
protected, and place names commemorating Kamehameha I should be recognized.
x Agricultural tradition – Agriculture should be practiced and promoted in various forms.
Cultural Site near ‘Upolu Point
2.2 NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES
North Kohala is rich in natural and cultural resources. From the Native Hawaiian perspective,
these are generally one and the same. The early Native Hawaiian settlers in Kohala grew crops in
the fertile mauka soils, built lo‘i in the lowlands of the eastern valleys that were fed with an
abundance of water, and fished and gathered from the coastal areas. Today, most of these aspects
are considered “natural resources” – the fertile soils, the plentiful rainfall found in the eastern part
of the district, the rich coastal resources, among others.
Mixed in with these resources are “cultural resources,” including the remnant terraces of the
mauka “Kohala field system,” where numerous crops were grown, and the remains of ancient
Hawaiian settlements, such as fishing villages and other sites located along the coast.
Archaeological and cultural experts have observed that Kohala’s coastline is one of the most intact
“cultural landscapes” in the state. There are an abundance of heiau and ko‘a throughout the
Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 12
district, where early Hawaiians carried out rituals, many of which were connected to the land and
ocean, and their fertility.
Overall, Kohala residents would like to see these cultural resources protected and the natural
resources managed with care. In addition, they would like to preserve the vast open spaces of the
region, which help to define Kohala’s rural character. One other aspect to note is the district’s
vulnerability to natural hazards, such as flooding, tsunami, and earthquakes. Its remote location
accentuates Kohala’s need for well-planned emergency response.
The key planning implications related to Kohala’s natural and cultural resources include:
x Cultural sites and landscapes – Important cultural sites and landscapes, including the
entire Kohala coastline and the mauka kula lands, should be protected.
x Coastal (makai) resources – Kohala’s pristine coastline and abundance of marine life
should be protected from development and be accessible to residents.
x Mountain (mauka) resources – The district has important resources in its mauka regions
that need protection, such as streams, forest areas, and pasture lands.
x Ahupua‘a – Ancient Hawaiians looked at the land from the framework of the ahupua‘a,
which is the unit of land that extends from the top of the mountain to the fishing waters of
the sea, similar to today’s concept of a watershed. These wedge-shaped divisions of land
contained all of the resources needed for human survival, and provided the principal
physical and social structure for Native Hawaiian society. This holistic perspective is
important for current-day land use planning as well, since activities in the mauka regions
directly affect makai areas.
x Agricultural potential – Agriculture should be promoted and agricultural lands should be
preserved for this use.
x Open space – The district’s large open spaces should be preserved.
x Vulnerability to Natural Hazards – Emergency preparedness should be a priority.
2.3 DEMOGRAPHICS & ECONOMICS
According to the 2000 Census, North Kohala had a total population of 6,038, with about 60% of
that total living in and around the small towns of Häwï and Kapa‘au. The total number of people
living in the district almost doubled between 1980 and 2000. This growth is largely attributed to
the continuing development of various resort complexes along the neighboring South Kohala
coast, as well as a growing number of people who have built their retirement homes within the
district. Figure 2 below shows the population trends for North Kohala for the period of 1960 to
2000.
Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 13
Figure 2: Population
Source: US Census; County of Hawai‘i Data Book, 2004
The population of North Kohala is expected to continue to increase. The 2005 County of Hawai‘i
General Plan included three population projections for North Kohala for the year 2020. These
three growth rates are: relatively conservative (11,053), moderate (11,273), and rapid (12,289).
However, these projections are largely based on past trends, which may be somewhat skewed,
since the growth rate for the County of Hawai‘i was higher than average between 1990 and 2000
(23%). In addition, it is possible for the County to direct population growth, to some extent, to
more urban areas.
The district’s economy has been struggling since the Kohala Sugar Company closed in 1975.
Almost one-third of the workforce now commutes to South Kohala to work in the hotels and
resorts located there. The search for viable businesses must continue to enable this community to
remain vibrant. Many would like to see diversified agriculture encouraged in the region.
The other major issue related to economics in North Kohala is property values. The median
residential sales price for 2006 for Kohala was $721,000, the highest in the County (compared to
$417,000 for the island overall). With housing prices being so high, and economic opportunities
so few, there is a significant need for affordable housing in the district. (More detailed data is
included in section 4.3 on affordable housing.)
The key planning implications related to Kohala’s demographics and economics include:
x Population – Kohala is a rural area and should be maintained as such. Thus, development
should be directed to more urban areas.
x Economic opportunities – Agriculture should be supported and promoted, and other
economic opportunities should be explored.
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Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 14
x Housing – A concerted effort must be made through public-private partnerships to provide
affordable housing for Kohala residents and their children.
2.4 LAND USE
The overwhelming majority of Kohala lands are zoned for agriculture, 84.6% according to County
zoning (67,977 acres), and 80.5% in the State Agricultural district (64,713 acres). The sentiment
of Kohala residents is generally that they would like to see this land utilized for agriculture. One
of their biggest concerns is the misuse of this land for luxury subdivisions and/or “gentlemen
estates.”
The map below shows the County zoning for the North Kohala district.
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Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 16
In addition, the County General Plan includes a Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) map,
which is a broad, flexible design intended to guide the direction and quality of future
developments in a coordinated and rational manner. The LUPAG designates the majority of
Kohala’s lands for agriculture: 41,314 acres (51.4%) for “Important Agricultural Land” and 21,885
acres (27.2%) for “Extensive Agriculture”. One concern with these designations is that there are
few regulations governing their use. However, the General Plan does support the use of these
lands for agriculture first and foremost, and states that “Important Agricultural Lands shall not be
rezoned to parcels too small to support economically viable farming units.”
The LUPAG map also designates 176 acres for Medium Density Urban near the town centers, and
2,668 acres in Low Density Urban surrounding those town centers. The General Plan directs
future development to be concentrated within these areas as much as possible. There are also 258
acres of Urban Expansion land, which allows for residential, industrial, and/or commercial
development, around the Resort designated area of Mähukona.
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Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 19
Some Kohala residents have expressed concern with what they perceive as a large amount of
development happening within the district, specifically on land that was originally zoned for
agriculture, but then was re-zoned, subdivided, or developed through a Special Permit. The tables
below summarize the data on re-zonings, subdivision approvals, and Special Permits, and the
narrative following each table provides some analysis of what that data mean.
TABLE 6: RE-ZONINGS
Timeframe Number
Approved
Total Acreage
(approx)
2000 – 2007 6 57
1990 – 1999 22 332
1980 – 1989 39 2,700
1970 – 1979 11 135
1968 – 1969 2 15
Total 80 3,239
It is clear that the highest number of re-zonings in Kohala occurred in the 1980s, which included a
significant amount of land that was re-zoned for Kohala Ranch. Those numbers decreased in the
1990s and 2000s, and it should be noted that of the 6 re-zonings in this decade, most were for a
small parcel (average size was 9.5 acres, largest was 21 acres), and allowed for a small number of
new lots (6 lots or less). The only re-zoning that allowed for more lots was for the self-help
housing project in Pähoa (75 lots allowed on 15 acres).
TABLE 7: SUBDIVISIONS
Timeframe Number
Approved
Number Pending Total Applications
2000 – 2007 100 15 115
1990 – 1999 95 0 95
1980 – 1989 89 0 89
1970 – 1979 60 0 60
Total 344 15 359
This chart shows that the number of subdivision applications approved has increased each decade
since the 1970s. However, many of these subdivisions created a small number of lots. For
example, in the 2000s, over one-half (54 out of 100) of these subdivision approvals created 2 lots
or less (some consolidated lots and re-subdivided in order to change boundaries).
For those 15 subdivision applications that are currently still pending, 13 of them are for 10 lots or
less. The remaining 2 are for an additional 48 lots at Kohala Ranch, and 26 lots for the self-help
housing project at Pähoa.
Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 20
TABLE 8: SPECIAL PERMITS
Timeframe Number
2000 – 2007 17
1990 – 1999 10
1980 – 1989 16
1970 – 1979 8
1960 – 1969 2
Total 53
One of the issues that has raised the most concern with Kohala residents is that of Special Permits,
especially those that allow overnight accommodations, such as “retreats.” While it is true that 10
of the 17 Special Permits issued in the 2000s do allow overnight accommodations, 8 of those 10
are parcels owned by one owner (the New Moon Foundation). Therefore, the bigger problem may
be those land owners who are allowing overnight visitors without the appropriate permits.
Still, community sentiment is generally that Special Permits that allow large-scale overnight
accommodations should not be approved, due to the negative impacts that such developments
have on the area’s limited infrastructure and small-town feel.
The key planning implications related to Kohala’s land use include:
x Agricultural lands – The majority of the land in Kohala is zoned for agriculture, is suitable
for such use, and should be utilized as such. This means agricultural land should not be
upzoned unless the proposed upzoning substantially conforms with the Goals and Policies
of the North Kohala CDP.
2.5 INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC FACILITIES
Much of Kohala’s infrastructure was constructed decades ago, including the roads, water system,
and electric power lines. Many Kohala residents feel that it is time for these aging infrastructure
components to be revamped, repaired, or replaced. This includes repairing the Hisaoka Gym
(damaged during the 2006 earthquake) and improving communications, such as radio and cell
phone service, which are important for timely emergency response.
Residents say there is a need for overall improved emergency preparedness. Due to Kohala’s
geographic isolation, it is vulnerable to system failures or outages, including those caused by
natural disasters, since it takes so long for outside help to arrive. The fact that there is only one
main road through Kohala is indicative of most of the major infrastructure there, including
electricity and water. The community would like to have increased reliability for these systems.
They would also like to learn how to better handle emergency situations themselves, through
Chapter 2 Kohala Today
North Kohala CDP Page 21
training such as CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), and to improve their ability to
communicate critical information to the community during emergency situations.
Lastly, community members have discussed the need for Rural Infrastructure Standards. Such
standards would help maintain Kohala’s rural character. They would also aid in keeping costs
down for affordable housing projects.
The key planning implications related to Kohala’s infrastructure and public facilities include:
x Transfer Station – The current transfer station was damaged by the 2006 earthquake, is too
small for current and expected future demand, and needs more recycling options.
x Improve parks – Several of the district’s parks are in need of repair, and the district is in
need of a public boat ramp.
x Emergency Preparedness – Kohala needs to be prepared for emergencies due to its
vulnerability to natural hazards. It would greatly benefit from training, such as CERT, and
redundancy for many of its systems, including water and roads.
x Communications – The district needs its own radio station and more cell towers in order to
better serve the community and improve its emergency preparedness.
x Public Facilities – Several of the community’s public services and facilities could use long-
range improvement plans, such as the schools and healthcare facilities.
x Rural Infrastructure Standards – Kohala could greatly benefit from the development of
such standards in order to help maintain its rural character and to reduce costs for
affordable housing projects.
2.6 COMMUNITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS
Throughout the three-year process of creating this CDP (including the 2-year CRP process),
numerous issues and concerns were voiced by the Kohala community. The majority of these
issues have been at least touched upon above. Some of the most prominent themes heard include:
preserving Kohala’s rural character and open spaces, protecting its cultural heritage, promoting
agriculture, increasing both mauka and makai access, providing affordable housing, and
improving infrastructure.
The next chapter summarizes this community input in the form of the Priority Issues that the North
Kohala community decided to focus on, and some of the Key Policies to address those issues.
Chapter 3 Kohala Tomorrow
North Kohala CDP Page 22
3. KOHALA TOMORROW
See the “Introduction” for the VISION, Overall GOAL, VALUES, and explanation of what it means
to “Keep Kohala, Kohala.”
3.1 PRIORITY ISSUES & GOALS
In order to “Keep Kohala, Kohala,” and to achieve the VISION for Kohala, this CDP focuses on
four Priority Issues. The aim was to identify these Priority Issues and the Goals for each issue, and
then address them with appropriate Strategies and Action Programs. These four Priority Issues, as
identified by the Kohala community, and their general Goals are:
x Growth Management – to direct North Kohala’s growth to areas within and near existing
town centers in order to preserve the district’s open space and cultural resources; and to
promote agriculture.
x Access – to provide for community access to mauka and makai resources.
x Affordable Housing – to provide affordable housing for the district’s residents.
x Infrastructure and Community Facilities – to update Kohala’s infrastructure systems that
are aging or in disrepair, and provide infrastructure, community facilities, and services that
adequately serve the community on an on-going basis, and especially in times of
emergency.
3.2 KEY POLICIES
For each of the four Priority Issues and Goals listed above, there is a subsequent section comprised
of Strategies and Action Programs to address them. In addition to these action-oriented sections,
there is also the need for more general, over-arching Policies that should help to achieve Kohala’s
Vision and the Goals related to the priority issues. Once this CDP has been adopted, these
Policies should provide guidance for all proposed projects and programs for North Kohala.
The Key Policies for North Kohala are:
1. Cultural and Historical Preservation Community – All future land use decisions for North
Kohala shall be in keeping with the heritage and cultural significance of Kohala.
Chapter 3 Kohala Tomorrow
North Kohala CDP Page 23
2. Rural Character – Recognize North Kohala as a Rural Community that should not
experience significant urban/suburban development that impacts population growth.
3. Future Upzoning – Any future proposed upzoning of land in North Kohala shall be
approved only if the proposed upzoning is substantially in conformance with the Goals
and Policies of the North Kohala Community Development Plan.
4. Agricultural Subdivisions – Any proposed Agricultural Subdivision in North Kohala shall
submit an agricultural use/production plan with their preliminary subdivision application
that clearly demonstrates that the land will be primarily used for active agriculture, and
that any proposed dwellings will be farm dwellings.
5. Special Management Area (SMA) Rules – Consideration of the cultural and environmental
sensitivity of North Kohala, as described in other parts of this plan, shall be given to all
proposed projects in the SMA areas, including single-family residences and all
subdivisions.
6. Infrastructure Requirements – County approvals of proposed new development projects
shall require that adequate infrastructure be in place. Consideration of cumulative impacts
shall be included in the evaluation of the adequacy of infrastructure systems.
7. Minimize speculation that drives up land values, property taxes, and the cost of housing;
and encourage developers that wish to invest in the long-term health of North Kohala.
o County permits and approvals for North Kohala, including but not limited to
zoning changes, subdivision approvals, and building permits, shall have
expiration dates, and these expiration dates shall be adhered to. Any requested
extensions of expiration dates shall be carefully evaluated.
o The North Kohala CDP recommends the enactment of a special land
speculation tax by the state legislature. The NK CDP Action Committee should
provide support to implement appropriate state legislation.
8. Amendments to the General Plan – For any conflicts or discrepancies between the General
Plan and the North Kohala CDP, the Action Committee should meet with the Planning
Department to discuss possible amendments to the General Plan.
Chapter 3 Kohala Tomorrow
North Kohala CDP Page 24
3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL CONCEPT MAP
The map on the following page is intended to graphically demonstrate some of the major
components of the North Kohala CDP Vision, Values, and Goals for the future of the district. It is
not meant to be an accurate map of today’s land use. Instead, it is a conceptual map – how the
community would like its land to be utilized in the future.
Some of the key ideas demonstrated include the following:
x Cultural sites and resources are protected, especially those found in high
concentrations along the coast (note: due to the cultural sensitivity and/or
sacredness of some places, not all sites are open access).
x Shoreline and coastal resources are protected.
x Agricultural lands are recognized and utilized for agriculture.
x Important Place Names are recognized.
x The scenic view planes from Kohala Mountain Road and Akoni-Pule Highway are
protected.
x Future growth is directed within or near town centers.
x Upscale development is limited to the areas where it is already located.
x The stream in the eastern part of Kohala are allowed to flow.
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Chapter 4 Action Programs
North Kohala CDP Page 26
4. ACTION PROGRAMS
4.1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT
ISSUE/PROBLEM STATEMENT
North Kohala residents recognize that some growth will happen within the district. However, they
have been very vocal about their desire to control the type and quantity of development that
happens, and to direct its location to concentrated areas, so as to protect Kohala’s rural character,
agricultural lands, open space, and cultural resources.
While other parts of the Big Island have experienced substantial increases in their population over
recent decades, Kohala’s has remained relatively low, at approximately 4% of the island’s total
population since 1980. What has concerned some of the residents is the fact that much of the
growth seems to be in the form of luxury subdivisions or “gentlemen estates” on agricultural land.
This concerns them for several reasons – such developments reduce the amount of land available
for agricultural uses, encroach on the district’s large open spaces and culturally sensitive areas,
and often push up property values, forcing long-time residents and/or their children to move out of
the district to find land/homes that they can afford.
Thus, the over-arching Goal for achieving the desired Growth Management in Kohala is
summarized as:
GOAL: DIRECT NORTH KOHALA’S GROWTH TO AREAS WITHIN AND NEAR EXISTING
TOWN CENTERS IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE DISTRICT’S OPEN SPACE AND
CULTURAL RESOURCES; AND TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE
The most effective way to manage Kohala’s future growth is through the establishment of Policies
that guide land use decisions in Kohala, combined with the development of Strategies and Action
Programs that take pro-active steps to achieving the envisioned future. The Policies are presented
in Chapter 3 of this CDP.
The Strategies for achieving the desired Growth Management in Kohala are presented below in
summary form.
Strategy 1.1: Establish the North Kohala CDP Action Committee to oversee
implementation of the CDP Vision and Action Programs
Strategy 1.2: Acquire coastal lands that should be preserved as open space
Chapter 4 Action Programs
North Kohala CDP Page 27
Strategy 1.3: Down-zone identified State-owned parcels that have special cultural
and/or scenic value
Strategy 1.4: Promote and Support a Community of Diversified Agriculture
Strategy 1.5: Establish Agricultural Education Programs
Strategy 1.6: Establish Community Cultural Programs
Strategy 1.7: Implement a Policy for a Cultural and Historical Preservation Community
Strategy 1.8: Participate in the identification of Important Agricultural Lands as
established by Chapter 205-47, Hawaii Revised Statutes to ensure that
appropriate lands are identified and protected
Strategy 1.9: Establish a View Plane Protection Program to identify and protect areas of
significant beauty along the Kohala Mountain Road and Akoni-Pule
Highway corridor.
The Action Steps for each of these Strategies are provided in the following pages.
Strategy 1.1: Establish the North Kohala CDP Action Committee to oversee implementation of
the CDP Vision and Action Programs
Background
One of the top priorities for the members of the Growth Management Focus Group was for North
Kohala residents to gain some form of “home rule” in the land use decisions made for their district.
In general, the County Planning Commission and County Council make most of these decisions,
and the community feels that they should have some input in these decisions, since they impact
their home. As stated previously, the purpose of this CDP is to translate community input into
Policies and Action Programs that help to shape the future land use of North Kohala. In essence,
the Policies in Chapter 3 are intended to guide the land use decisions made by the Planning
Commission and County Council. In addition, the “North Kohala CDP Action Committee,” which
will be formed as the successor to the “North Kohala Steering Committee,” will have the
responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the CDP Vision, Policies, and Action Programs.
The Growth Management Focus Group has supported the idea of creating North Kohala’s own
Planning Commission, which would imply the creation of numerous Planning Commissions
throughout the County (9 districts). However, the County of Hawai‘i Planning Department is
currently supporting a Bill that proposes separating the current County Planning Commission into
2 Commissions – one for the windward and one for the leeward side of the island. The
Department generally believes that this division will provide improved representation from the
Chapter 4 Action Programs
North Kohala CDP Page 28
current situation, and is more feasible than creating numerous new Planning Commissions all at
once.
The idea of establishing multiple Planning Commissions has been discussed with the County
Planning Department, and is a possibility for the future. However, the Planning Department is
hesitant to propose several new Commissions for numerous reasons. A bill to establish multiple
Planning Commissions may not gain County Council support, since it would be such a dramatic
change. In addition, there is a legal question of whether the existence of multiple Planning
Commissions is allowed under State Law (Maui County currently has three, but that has never
been legally challenged.) There are also personnel and cost challenges involved with training and
staffing several Planning Commissions. Still, the North Kohala community supports the formation
of its own North Kohala Planning Commission at some point in the future.
Thus, the formation of the North Kohala CDP Action Committee is important because it will allow
for some degree of “home rule,” since this Committee would be instrumental in implementation of
the CDP Vision and Action Programs. Many of the projects and programs included in this CDP
need significant community involvement to move them forward. It is envisioned that sub-
committees, similar to the CDP Focus Groups, could be formed from this CDP Action Committee
to oversee implementation of specific projects and programs, such as constructing affordable
housing and acquiring public access easements.(Note: The draft bill to form these CDP Action
Committees is in Appendix C. The North Kohala community’s ideas on the membership,
structure, and responsibilities of the CDP Action Committee are included in Chapter 5.)
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The County of Hawai‘i Planning Department
x WHAT needs to be done – The Bill to establish this ordinance has been introduced to the
County Council and is awaiting decision.
x WHEN will actions take place – The Bill is currently being heard.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – Additional staff support from the Planning Department for the
CDP Action Committees will be needed. However, some of this support can be provided
by planners from the Long Range Planning Division who are currently managing CDP’s.
For the initial four CDP Action Committees – Kona, Puna, North Kohala, and South Kohala
– the additional cost may be in the range of $200,000 to $300,000 per year.
x Intended Outcome – The CDP Action Committees will take the lead in implementing
many of the projects and programs presented in the CDP, and will generally provide a
forum for the community to voice ideas, concerns, and issues relating to land use,
infrastructure, and facilities that are important for North Kohala.
Chapter 4 Action Programs
North Kohala CDP Page 29
Strategy 1.2: Acquire coastal lands that should be preserved as open space
Background
The Kohala Coast consists of one of the most intact “cultural landscapes” in the State of Hawaiÿi
because of its high density of cultural and archaeological sites. This area, located makai of Akoni
Pule Highway, is filled with hundreds of fishing village sites, heiau, and ko‘a. Some of this
important landscape is subject to the threat of future development because it is privately owned
and there are no special land use regulations protecting it. The North Kohala community has
identified four such properties, which are privately owned and critical to maintaining the
continuous cultural landscape. They are shown in the map below (Figure 6). Thus, it is
recommended that those properties be purchased – either in fee or through purchase of
conservation easements – by a public entity that can protect them in perpetuity.
The County of Hawaiÿi Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation
Commission, or the “2% for the Land Fund” was created in 2005 for the specific purpose of
protecting open space through the use of 2% of property taxes (estimated $3.6 million for FY07).
The Commission has already purchased two properties, the 1.8-acre parcel at Waipi‘o Valley
Lookout Point and a 235-acre parcel at Kawaÿa Bay in Kaÿu.
In March (2008), the Commission released a report to the mayor identifying five priority parcels for
County purchase in coming years. The first four on the list were those four North Kohala
properties noted above (shown below in Figure 6). These four coastal properties will be relatively
expensive to acquire, and so the preferred strategy may be the purchase of conservation
easements.
However, there are still nine properties that were previously identified for purchase by the
Commission, and approved by the Hawai‘i County Council, but not yet purchased. One of the
major limitations on completing these purchases is funding. Thus, some North Kohala residents
are interested in establishing an “Open Space Bond Fund” in order to provide for more purchasing
power in the near term.
The basic idea is that the “2% Funds” would be applied to form an Open Space Bond. Recent
research indicates that the 2% Fund could cover the principle and interest on a $50 million bond,
so that taxpayers would have no additional costs, but more properties could be purchased by
leveraging the 2% fund. Another idea is to create a separate “Open Space and Parklands Bond” to
be paid by property owners island-wide. Taxpayers would pay a certain amount to the fund,
based on the value of their home; so people with more expensive homes would pay more. This
money would also be leveraged, which would enable larger amounts of money to be borrowed, in
order to acquire properties that match Section 214(2)(d) of the Hawai‘i County Code.
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The effort to preserve the North Kohala coast has been on-going for over thirty years. The
preferred outcome is a preserved coastline, free of development for the 12.5 miles between Kohala
Ranch and the new Parker development south of Puakea. However, if development were to
occur, it shall only be permitted and approved in such a way that would keep houses and other
development from being visible in the view plane from the highway to the sea and a policy that
requires significant set back from the shoreline to retain its natural character and provide better
protection for archaeological sites. The policy shall also require site design that eliminates or
minimizes the impact on the view plane from the shoreline going mauka.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation
Commission
x WHAT needs to be done – This Commission has already placed these 4 parcels (identified
in Figure 6) on their priority list for purchase. Discussions with land owners regarding fee
purchase or purchase of conservation easements should begin in the near future.
x WHEN will actions take place – Timing for acquisition of the fee interest or of
conservation easements for these privately owned parcels is difficult to predict, given that
the Commission has already chosen 9 other properties around the island for acquisition.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – The cost of the fee interest or of a conservation easement will
be determined through appraisals and negotiations.
x Intended Outcome – Conservation easements for the critical coastal areas identified in the
accompanying map would be purchased by the Open Space Commission and protected in
perpetuity.
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Figure 6: Key Purchases to Preserve the North Kohala Coast
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Strategy 1.3: Down-zone identified State-owned parcels with important cultural and/or scenic
resources
Background
Within this important cultural and scenic landscape of Kohala, there are large areas that are
owned by the State, which should be under less threat of development. However, to guarantee
that those parcels are preserved as open space in perpetuity, they should be down-zoned to a
more protective zoning (see Figure 7).
There is a precedent for changing of County zoning on State-owned land to more protective
zoning with the re-zoning of the 420.17 acres that encompass several of the Waimea Pu‘u in
South Kohala, which the County Council approved in 2007. With the agreement of the state
Department of Land and Natural Resources, the County Council re-zoned this area from
Agricultural 1-acre (A-1a) to Agricultural 400-acres (A-400a).
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – Planning Department
x WHAT needs to be done – With the concurrence of the State, the County Council would
down-zone these state-owned lands from A-5a and A-20 to A-(acreage of the parcel). See
Figure 7.
x WHEN will actions take place – These down-zoning actions should be organized and
implemented soon after the adoption of the North Kohala CDP.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – The County will incur some administrative costs for processing
these zone changes. However, these costs should not be very significant.
x Intended Outcome – The State-owned parcels with important cultural and/or scenic
resources would be protected from development.
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Figure 7: Proposed Down-Zonings
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Strategy 1.4: Promote and Support a Community of Diversified Agriculture
Goal: The Kohala community will produce 50% of the food it consumes.
Background
While growth management is most clearly related to land use issues such as zoning and
ownership, it is also directly affected by economic and social factors. Specifically, economic
strategies such as large-scale residential or industrial development are not supportive of the goal of
protecting Kohala’s rural character. Many residents see diversified agriculture as one of the best
options for creating jobs and local businesses, since it utilizes Kohala’s natural resources (fertile
soils, availability of water), helps increase the community’s self-sufficiency, and protects its rural
character.
Kohala has a long agricultural history, from the days of Kamehameha I in the 18th Century, to the
more recent sugar plantation days, which ended in the 1970s. The Kohala community was largely
food self-sufficient until recent decades. They have been producing their own food by growing
crops, ranching, fishing, and sharing with one another. Although it is more difficult to continue
this tradition today, many residents are doing so, and would like to support and encourage such
activities. Numerous ideas on how best to do this have been put forth. In addition, the promotion
of agriculture is a topic that is being discussed throughout the State. Thus, this CDP is not
intended to be the authority on the topic, but rather it presents some of the most commonly
discussed ideas, along with the suggestion of forming a community-based organization to oversee
their implementation. In the long-run, the Kohala community would like to work towards
producing at least 50% of the food it consumes.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done – The CDP Action Committee should to work with County and
State agencies to establish various forms of agricultural support and projects. Some of the
most commonly discussed ideas include the following:
o Re-establish Kohala’s agricultural education programs, by working with the School
Community Council, to generate more farmers (both K-12 and higher education)
o Secure accessible capital for new farmers, such as a local micro-loan program
o Create incentives for start-up agriculture, including implementing changes to the
County’s real property tax code
o Work with owners of various agricultural water transmission and distribution
systems to provide subsidized agricultural water rates
x WHEN will actions take place – Research on these ideas can begin now. Upon
establishment of the CDP Action Committee, a group may be formed to oversee
implementation of agricultural programs.
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x HOW MUCH will it Cost – There should be minimal cost to form a community-based
group to oversee implementation of agricultural programs. Additional funding may
eventually be sought in order to hire staff or to maintain an office.
x Intended Outcome – Agriculture will be promoted and supported within Kohala, and
farmers – both current and potential – will have various forms of support and programming
made available to them. The Kohala community will eventually produce 50% of the food
it consumes.
Strategy 1.5: Establish Agricultural Education Programs
Background
As mentioned above, Kohala has a long agricultural history. There is also a long history of
agricultural education. Future Farmers of America (FFA) started funding Kohala’s agricultural
education programs over 70 years ago. There was also a “Young Farmers Program” for post-high
school education until 1978. This program provided mentors for high school students. The
agricultural education program continued at the Kohala High School until the 2004-2005 school
year. The community would like to see this program and others like it re-started to help promote
agriculture in Kohala, as discussed in Strategy 1.4.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done – Assess agricultural educational and research needs at
various levels: K-12, higher education, and within the greater community. Work with
the School Community Council (SCC) to identify actions and resources (money,
people, etc.) to fill needs.
x WHEN will actions take place – As soon as the CDP is adopted and the Action
Committee is organized.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – Minimal. Funding sources should be identified.
x Intended Outcome – Larger pool of people with expertise to farm the land. Increased
understanding regarding various agricultural issues specific to North Kohala, which will
support the long-term viability of agriculture.
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Strategy 1.6: Establish Community Cultural Programs
Background
Kohala residents have expressed a strong interest in promoting cultural pride within their
community. As mentioned previously, much of the district’s legacy is based on being the
birthplace of King Kamehameha I. Each year the town hosts a Kamehameha Day Celebration on
June 11th (Kamehameha Day) that is organized by the Kohala Hawaiian Civic Club. In addition,
the community has hosted a gathering called the Kohala Reunion, which has been highly
successful in bringing together long-time residents and new-comers to the area to share stories and
food, to celebrate Kohala’s heritage, and to discuss their vision for its future.
This strategy to develop more frequent cultural programs is included in the Growth Management
section of this CDP because many residents believe that such community building events are
helpful in uniting the community in their vision for their home. Such unity could help residents
move forward in implementing their ideas to achieve that vision.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done – The CDP Action Committee should coordinate programs to
teach and celebrate Kohala’s rich cultural heritage through community-wide events
x WHEN will actions take place – As soon as the CDP is adopted and the Action Committee
is organized.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – Costs will of course depend on the scope of the program, but
costs might be relatively small – mostly for space rental, publicity, and refreshments to be
provided at the meetings. A small grant of perhaps $10,000 might be enough to fund this
program for a year or two.
x Intended Outcome – Community-wide events could celebrate Kohala’s rich cultural
heritage and help “newcomers” to becomee familiar with the local lifestyle and traditions,
thereby integrating them into the community and its values.
Strategy 1.7: Implement a Policy for a Cultural and Historical Preservation Community
Background
As documented in other sections of this Plan, North Kohala’s landscape has a significant number
of cultural sites and natural resources that support traditional practices and provide economic
benefits and food for families. The highest density of pre-contact cultural sites can be found along
the North Kohala coast.
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In general, current land use regulations do not provide sufficient protection for these cultural and
natural resources. Development close to cultural sites can potentially discourage community
members from visiting or carrying out traditional practices at these sites. Additionally,
development within or near cultural sites can destroy the cultural context of the site(s).
One way to protect such sites is through the use of buffers or other extra protections. Because
these protections often help to better preserve what is valuable to people and assist to preserve
elements that support a higher quality of life, these protective measures often increase the value of
new development.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee and the Planning
Department
x WHAT needs to be done –
o Identify areas requiring additional protection.
o Identify appropriate protections, such as buffers, for these areas.
o Submit findings to the County for public review and adoption for use in land use
planning and decisions
o All steps should be done in consultation with the community, including affected
land owners, scientists, natural resource managers, and cultural experts
x WHEN will actions take place – As soon as the CDP is adopted and the Action Committee
is organized.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – Costs will include some administrative time for the County and
consultant fees to coordinate the project with community and associated experts.
x Intended Outcome – A policy that better protects the cultural and natural resources of
North Kohala.
Strategy 1.8: Participate in the identification of Important Agricultural Lands as established by
Chapter 205-47, Hawaii Revised Statutes to ensure that appropriate lands are identified and
protected
Background
Important Agricultural Lands (IAL) has been an important topic recently for the State of Hawai‘i as
well as each of the counties – including Hawai‘i County. In 2005, the State passed Act 183,
which was intended to provide the standards, criteria, and processes to fulfill the intent and
purpose of the original IAL legislation (enacted in 1978 as Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution
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of the State of Hawai‘i). Act 183 includes a plan for each county to map their IAL, which would
then make those lands eligible for the proposed IAL incentives.
Although the Act passed in 2005, the commencement of mapping each county’s IAL is dependent
upon the receipt of state funds, and then each county has 5 years to complete the mapping. Thus,
implementation of this Act is not expected to take place for a few years. The Kohala community
would like to take the lead in this process by getting their IAL mapped and protected as soon as
possible.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done –
o Decide on process for identifying IAL with County
o Get IAL mapped
o Write language for IAL protection and incentives
x WHEN will actions take place – As soon as the CDP is adopted and the Action
Committee is organized.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – Cost of consultants to create final IAL maps should come
from the State IAL mapping funds.
x Intended Outcome – Important Agricultural Lands will be identified and utilized as
such.
Strategy 1.9: Establish a View Plane Protection Program to identify and protect areas of
significant beauty along the Kohala Mountain Road and Akoni-Pule Highway corridor
Background
One of Kohala’s best known and appreciated attributes is its sweeping view planes – over rolling
mauka fields, down to its rugged coastline, and out to the ocean. These views can be enjoyed
from many areas in the district, but are probably most widely viewed while driving either the
Kohala Mountain Road or Akoni-Pule Highway. The community would like to ensure that these
scenic resources are protected for all to enjoy, including future generations.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done –
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o Identify view planes of significant beauty along the Kohala Mountain Road and
Akoni-Pule Highway
o Identify potential programs and regulations to protect the view planes from
development and/or encroachment
x WHEN will actions take place – As soon as the CDP is adopted and the Action
Committee is organized.
x HOW MUCH will it Cost – Minimal.
x Intended Outcome – View planes along the Kohala Mountain Road and Akoni-Pule
Highway will be protected.
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4.2 PUBLIC ACCESS
ISSUE/PROBLEM STATEMENT
Public access to coastal areas and resources and to mountain areas and resources was identified
by the Kohala community early in the CDP process as one of the top priorities for planning and
action.
In pre-contact Hawai‘i, there were, of course, no “private lands” with fences and “keep out” signs.
Although access to certain areas was limited because of traditional “kapu,” people were generally
free to move about the land – to swim and fish in the nearshore waters, and to gather resources in
the mountains. During the 19th and 20th century ranching and sugar plantation eras, the lands of
Kohala and other Hawai‘i Island regions were still largely free of fences or other barriers to access.
Since the closing of the Kohala Plantation in 1975, however, and the ensuing sale of the
Plantation’s lands in the 1980’s to various buyers, many of whom were/are “off-shore” companies,
fences, locked gates and “No Trespassing” signs have become common. There are now only a
few roads and paths in Kohala that provide public access to the shore or to the mountains.
In the longer term, the Kohala community envisions a continuous coastal (“lateral”) path stretching
at least from Pololü to Kawaihae, together with numerous mauka-makai accesses from Akoni Pule
Highway to the shore, and from the Highway up into the mountains and a lateral mountain trail
from Pololü to Taga Pond.
Thus, the Goal and Strategies for public access in Kohala may be summarized as follows:
GOAL : PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE DRIVABLE (MAUKA-MAKAI) (4 wheel vehicles)
PUBLIC ACCESS TO COASTAL (ALONG THE TOPS OF CLIFFS) AND MOUNTAIN
AREAS IN NORTH KOHALA, INCLUDING PROVISION OF:
x A continuous coastal path from Pololü to Kawaihae Harbor,
x Adequate mauka-makai access easements between the coastal path and Akoni
Pule Highway,
o Adequate mauka-makai access easements from Akoni Pule Highway
and the Kohala Mountain Road into the Kohala mountains, and
o A lateral mountain road (Wylie Blvd) from Pololü to Taga Pond.
Strategies that need to be implemented to achieve this Goal include the following:
Strategy 2.1: Provide for substantive community input to the County Planning
Department and the County Council in order to finalize and accept
priority shoreline access easements.
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Strategy 2.2: Assign responsibility and authority for the construction, management and
maintenance of public access easements, paths, and roads that fall under
the County’s responsibility to a specific County Public Access
Coordinator, together with adequate funding.
Strategy 2.3: Revise and improve Chapter 34 of the Hawai`i County Code, dealing with
“PUBLIC ACCESS,” and Planning Department “Rule 21 – Relating to
Public Access: Usage;” in specific ways recommended by the Access
Focus Group and the North Kohala CDP Action Committee.
Strategy 2.4: Encourage increased cooperation and coordination among federal, state,
and county agencies and departments regarding public access to coastal
and mauka lands.
Strategy 2.5: Encourage and increase cooperation and coordination between the
community and private land owners regarding public access to coastal
and mauka lands.
Strategy 2.6: Implement a long-range plan for achieving adequate public access to
both coastal areas and to the mountains, as part of the North Kohala
Community Development Plan.
The Action Steps for each of these Strategies are provided in the next few pages.
Strategy 2.1: Provide for substantive community input to the County Planning Department and
the County Council in order to finalize and accept priority shoreline access easements.
Background
Community spokespersons have been adamant in their desire to amend and implement specific
public accesses that have been agreed to by land owners or court-ordered, but for various reasons
were never finalized. These priority accesses and related action elements are:
PRIORITY NO. 1 – KAPANAIÿA TO ÿÄINAKEA
o Work with all land owners, to make a continuous coastal lateral access across the
subdivision westward to ÿÄinakea and then secure County Council acceptance of an
amended public lateral coastline access and mauka-makai vehicular access (subsequently
community managed) identified by the Planning Department at Kauhola Lighthouse Road
(Surety Kohala Corp.) Subdivisions 7776 and 7776-A.
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o Establish a mauka-makai community managed vehicular access on an existing roadway
extending seaward from ÿÄinakea subdivision across private land when the owners come
in for County approvals.
o Survey if/as necessary and improve vehicular rights of way in favor of the State of Hawai‘i
for access to Kapanaiÿa and Hapu’u Bays as established in 1982 Civil No. 5464 Kohala
Corp vs. Ahoi.
o Survey and record with the Bureau of Conveyances the shoreline trail “from and including
Hapu’u Bay to and including Kapanaiÿa Bay” in favor of the State of Hawai‘i as granted in
the same Civil Case.
PRIORITY NO. 2 – ÿUPOLU TO MÄHUKONA
ż Legal public access along the entire Old Coast Guard Road to the parking area north of the
NƗ Ala Hele Honoipu-Puakea Trail needs to be secured. This will require both State and
County efforts.
ż Secure County Council acceptance of public lateral coastline trail and amended mauka-
makai access as identified by the Planning Department at Kukuipahu (Parker Ranch) in
Subdivisions 7520, 7521 and 7526 as well as ensure continuous lateral shoreline access
mauka of 5-6-01:50 where it is interrupted. Amend the current pedestrian mauka-makai
access to a vehicular access. The exact location of the Kukuipahu lateral shoreline access
still needs to be defined, and the “Declaration of Easements for Public Access” requires the
County to build, maintain and insure the shoreline and mauka-makai trail. No provisions
are made for opening the existing trail to the public until the County assumes responsibility
for it.
o Public access as required in the Mähukona (Kohala Preserve Conservation Trust) Change of
Zone Ordinance 93-109, SMA 341 and Chalon International Corp. Shoreline Access Plan
1992 has been stalled for many years. Court ordered public vehicular access has been
blocked and pedestrian access limited since 1990 while awaiting development of the
Mähukona Resort and subdivision. Condition P of the Change of Zone Ordinance requires
recordation of an agreement for set-aside of public shoreline access areas within the State
Land Use Conservation District prior to the issuance of the final plan approval for the hotel
or final subdivision, whichever is first. Seventeen years after open public access was
blocked the owner has yet to apply for a Conservation District Use Permit to implement
the coastal access.
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PRIORITY NO. 3 – ÿÄINAKEA TO ‘UPOLU
o Honopueo (Watkins-Sunderland) Subdivision 2000-200, SMA 417, Special Use Permit
1117. By permit the public access must be surveyed and opened when the owners apply
for a Certificate of Occupancy. No County Council action is needed.
o Pähoa Beach (Mohammadi) Subdivision 7640, Revision 2. This subdivision is subject to
enforcement by the County for violations of its subdivision conditions. Original permit
was for pedestrian mauka-makai access to Pähoa Beach with no lateral access. The
community seeks vehicular access from Häwi Road to the rim of Pähoa gulch with parking
and pedestrian trail to Pähoa Beach. Also lateral public access should be established along
the shoreline of parcels TMK 5-5-08: 67 and 5-5-08:60.
o Puÿuepa-‘Upolu (Surety Kohala Corp) Subdivision 7589 contains a lateral vehicular access
along the coast, lateral pedestrian trail access, vehicular access to Mo’okini Heiau and
pedestrian mauka-makai access from the old Railroad bed/government road to Mo’okini
Heiau and Kamehameha’s Birthsite. Access here was also subject to Civil No. 5466,
Kohala Corporation vs. Kamoe.
PRIORITY NO. 4 – POLOLÜ TO KAPANAI‘A
o Encourage the County to pursue shoreline lateral trail access from the Pololü lookout to
Keokea Park and from Keokea to Kapanaiÿa by working with Kamehameha Schools and
other private land owners.
The overall Action Steps that will be needed to implement these priority accesses are
summarized as follows:
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done – Work with the Planning Department and the County Council to
amend and finalize access easements for the 4 priority coastal areas: Kapanai‘a to
‘Äinakea, ‘Upolu to Mähukona, ‘Äinakea to ‘Upolu, and Pololü to Kapanai‘a.
Form a North Kohala community-based entity that will have an important, ongoing role in
the planning, construction, management, and maintenance of public accessways.
The County needs to provide liability coverage for access easements and the community
volunteers, and funds for maintenance of easements.
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Encourage the County to require land owners to keep traditional trails or court-ordered
accesses open to public use and/or provide interim public access, while the public waits
for compliance with access requirements contained in permits.
x WHEN will actions take place – The Access Focus group will take immediate steps to
ensure that these priority accesses are implemented by the Planning Department and the
County Council. The North Kohala Action Committee will continue this work after the
CDP has been approved.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – There will be costs involved for the construction of access
ways, both paved and unpaved, as well as costs for liability insurance and for County staff
to manage public accesses. Dollar figures for these costs are not available at this time.
However, these costs will be modest when weighed against the public benefit that these
coastal accesses will provide.
x Intended Outcome – Once these coastal accesses have been implemented, there will be a
continuous coastal trail stretching from Pololü to Mähukona.
Strategy 2.2: Assign responsibility and authority for the construction, management and
maintenance of public access easements, paths, and roads that fall under the County’s
responsibility to a specific County Public Access Coordinator, together with adequate funding.
Background
Through the application of Chapter 34, the County’s Public Access Ordinance, the County
Planning Department has brokered several agreements (“Declarations of Easements for Public
Access”) with land owners that obligate the County to accept, construct, maintain, and insure
public access ways through private land, prior to the accesses becoming effective. Yet, no agency,
department or staff has been designated to oversee County-initiated public access ways. The
County needs to take action to set up the means to administer these access ways.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The Mayor’s Office and the Planning Department
x WHAT needs to be done – The Mayor’s Office needs to appoint an appropriate County
Public Access Coordinator that will be given the authority and responsibility to construct,
manage and maintain public access easements, paths, and roads. It is recommended that
this position be a special position within the Mayor’s office.
o In the short-term, the County could designate a “Public Access Planner” that will
work with community groups to identify, create, manage, and maintain important
lateral and mauka-makai accesses. Initially, the Public Access Planner could be
retained as a “contract hire.”
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x WHEN will actions take place – Funding for and contracting with a Public Access Planner
could be initiated as part of the Planning Department’s FY 08/09 activities.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – The initial cost of contracting with a Public Access Planner will
depend on the qualifications of the contractor and whether this will be a part-time or full
time activity. Costs may be in the range of $50,000 to $100,000 for the first year. Once a
specific County Public Access Coordinator has been given the responsibility to plan,
design, construct, manage, and maintain public accesses, annual costs will be more
substantial.
x Intended Outcome – The County will be committed to the management of public accesses
to coastal and mountain areas.
Strategy 2.3: Revise and improve Chapter 34 of the Hawai‘i County Code, dealing with
“PUBLIC ACCESS,” and Planning Department “Rule 21 – Relating to Public Access: Usage;” in
specific ways recommended by the Access Focus Group.
Recommended amendments to Chapter 34 include (but are not limited to):
x Include coastal lateral shoreline public access requirement and require mauka-makai
vehicular access.
x Provide public access within 1 year of initial SMA permits or Subdivision approval.
x Add lateral shoreline public access requirements
x Require subdividers to initially construct the access(es), if new construction is necessary
x Eliminate the loophole that allows subdividing less than 6 lots
x Require the subdivider to identify traditionally used trails/accesses on the property and
perform an early assessment of whether the public accesses should utilize existing paths.
This “early assessment” would involve consultation with person(s) knowledgeable of
existing accesses in the subject area and Nä Ala Hele, if any historic trails are present on
the property. This should be done prior to submitting a preliminary subdivision map.
x Currently Chapter 34 is only being partially implemented. The Planning Department is not
a land management agency. It is doing its part in implementing Chapter 34 at the permit
processing stage. What is missing is a County person assigned to complete the
implementation process. The mayor needs to assign trail and access responsibilities to a
specific County person. That person would be fully responsible to:
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o request acceptance of the accesses from the County Council;
o include trail and access program needs in their budget requests;
o construct (if necessary with community), and manage the liability, maintenance
and control duties and responsibilities;
o and develop and manage a volunteer-based, adopt-a-trail program.
Background
“Chapter 34” of the Hawai‘i County Code, enacted in 1996, established general requirements for
public accesses to be provided by “all subdivisions and multiple-family developments” of six
lots/units or more. Planning Department “Rule 21,” approved by the Mayor in January 2005,
provided further details regarding uses, activities, permits, and enforcement relating to public
accesses. In reality, however, no new mauka or makai public accesses have been opened for
public use in North Kohala as a result of Chapter 34. Although new easements for public access
have been required of subdividers via Chapter 34, a number of obstacles still exist to their
implementation.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala Public Access Focus Group will make specific
recommendations and convey them to North Kohala’s County Council representative and
to the Planning Director.
x WHAT needs to be done – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee needs to work with
North Kohala’s County Council representative and the Planning Department to revise and
improve Chapter 34 and Rule 21, as well as related Planning Department rules and
procedures affecting public access.
x WHEN will actions take place – This collaborative community/County process can move
forward as part of the CDP process, and continue after the CDP has been enacted.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – Costs to the County will be mainly the cost of Planning
Department staff and County Council staff time. These costs should be modest.
x Intended Outcome – Chapter 34 and Rule 21 will be amended, clarified, and improved.
County decisions and requirements regarding public access will be more consistent as a
result.
Strategy 2.4: Encourage increased cooperation and coordination among federal, state, and
county agencies and departments regarding public access to coastal and mauka lands.
Background
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Coordination and cooperation among the several levels of government that have some form of
jurisdiction over coastal lands, mauka lands, and public access is haphazard at best. A recent
example: the Kohala Mountain Watershed Partnership (KMWP), whose members are county, state,
and federal agencies and private land owners, recently completed their “watershed management
plan” and published a draft Environmental Assessment that discloses the probable environmental
impacts of that plan. However, the staff of the KMWP was not aware of and did not consult with
the North Kohala Public Access Focus Group regarding mauka public access into the Kohala
Mountains as part of their planning process. The members of this Focus Group recently met with
the KMWP staff to discuss coordination process and needs.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala Public Access Focus Group, and later the
North Kohala CDP Action Committee, will take the lead for Kohala in coordinating with
other county, state, and federal departments and agencies regarding public access.
Community-based groups from other districts should take on a similar role.
x WHAT needs to be done – The Action Committee, with the assistance of the Public Access
Planner, should contact all other county, state, and federal departments and agencies that
have some jurisdiction over coastal and mountain public accesses. A data base
documenting these agencies and their current and planned public access projects,
programs, and activities should then be developed.
x WHEN will actions take place – This coordination process can begin during the
development of the CDP, and should continue and expand after the North Kohala CDP has
been enacted.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – Costs to the County will primarily be the costs of the Public
Access Planner in relation to this program.
x Intended Outcome – Communication, coordination, and cooperation on public access
issues among federal, state, and county agencies will be clarified and improved.
Strategy 2.5: Encourage and increase cooperation and coordination between the community and
private land owners regarding public access to coastal and mauka lands.
Background
Coordination and cooperation between the community and land owners and recommendations of
the Planning Director regarding public and community access along the coast and in the
mountains and valleys. Encourage community groups and clubs to step up for stewardship of
managed accesses.
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Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala Public Access Focus Group and the North
Kohala CDP Action Committee will take the lead for Kohala in coordinating with the
community and land owners regarding public access.
x WHAT needs to be done – The Action Committee, with the assistance of the Public Access
Planner, should contact all community groups and land owners to discuss stewardship and
management of public accesses.
x WHEN will actions take place – This coordination process can begin during the
development of the CDP, and should continue and expand after the North Kohala CDP has
been enacted.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – Costs to the County will primarily be the costs of the Public
Access Planner in relation to this program.
x Intended Outcome – Communication, coordination, and cooperation on public access
issues between community and private land owners will be clarified and improved.
Strategy 2.6: Develop and Implement a long-range plan for achieving adequate public access to
both coastal areas and to the mountains, as part of the North Kohala Community Development
Plan.
Background
The Public Access Focus Group met a number of times to develop a long-range plan for public
accesses, in both graphic and narrative form. This long-range access plan will take many years to
implement, as many of these proposed accesses will require extensive discussions and
negotiations with land owners and/or establishment of access easements as a condition of a
subdivision action. This long-range map and list of desired accesses is provided here so that the
full range of the Focus Group’s vision for public access can be understood.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee.
x WHAT needs to be done – With the assistance of the Public Access Planner, the CDP
Action Committee will develop an inventory and database of existing and traditional
public accessways identified by the community to be used as a planning tool in County
actions that affect public access. The CDP Action Committee will then work with the
County, with other public agencies, and with Kohala land owners to implement specific
accesses for controlled public use.
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x WHEN will actions take place – The CDP Action Committee will be formed and begin its
work soon after the North Kohala CDP has been adopted.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – The principal cost to the County will be the cost for some of
the Public Access Planner’s time.
x Intended Outcome – Existing accesses will be preserved and protected, traditional
accesses will be identified and restored to use, and new accesses will be negotiated and
opened for controlled public use.
See map on following page.
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Figure 8: North Kohala Public Access Map
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Long-Range Access Plan Elements
It should be emphasized that all the trails and roads named here are/were traditional or have been
in existence for many years. The only exceptions are newly created easements identified by the
County as public access as permit requirements in subdivisions or developments. The trails and
accesses listed here are based on community desires and recommendations and are not
necessarily the access ways that have been negotiated by the County Planning Department in their
permit requirements.
x Coastline trail and drivable mauka-makai access -- A trail that starts at the beach in
Pololü Valley and follows the coastline of the district to Kawaihae. The trail would
be for pedestrian use except for the already existing vehicular lateral roads. The
trail should follow the Ala Loa where it can be identified or traditional fishing trails.
When the trail is identified by metes and bounds from the Certified Shoreline, it
must include provisions to move the trail inland when the Certified Shoreline is
moved inland because of erosion or landslide. This trail that follows the coast is
reached from the Akoni Pule Highway by already existing vehicular mauka-makai
roads that may or may not be presently open to the public. A minimum of two
parking spaces should be available at the junctions with the lateral trail. These
mauka-makai roads have been identified as:
o Pololü Lookout – an existing paved state highway to a paved parking area.
This links the trail to and from the bottom of Pololü Valley to the coastline
trail along the cliff tops toward Akoakoa Point. The Pololü Valley trail is
administered by Na Ala Hele, the state trail system.
o Niuli’i – Waikama road – an existing unpaved road from Akoni Pule
Highway at Niuli’i to the top of Waikama Gulch. Pedestrian access on an
existing trail along the western rim of the gulch to the coastal trail.
o Keokea County Park Road – an existing paved government road leading
through Niuli’i to Keokea Park
o Kapanai‘a Bay road -- an existing court-ordered vehicle access on an
unpaved road to Kapanai‘a and Hapu’u bays (Civil HA-5464 Kohala
Corporation v. Ahoi). The roadway is currently owned by the State.
o Kauhola Lighthouse Road – an existing federal right of way since 1912. This
access is the subject of Subdivisions 7776 & 7776-A. The existing vehicle
access from the lighthouse east to the cliff top at Ohau (swimming pool).
o ÿÄinakea Road – an existing paved County road through ÿÄinakea
subdivision then extending into a gated private unpaved road makai in
ÿÄinakea ahupua‘a. No current access into the private road.
o Union Market Road – a vehicular public access on an unpaved, private
road required by SMA Use Permit No. 417 and Special Permit No. 1117,
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Sunderland & Watkins for a retreat on agricultural land. Access to ocean is
restricted to half mile walking distance.
o Häwï Road – a vehicular public access extending from the makai end of
Häwï Road, a County paved road, to the rim of Kumakua Gulch and
pedestrian access to Pahoa Beach. Access listed with Subdivision 7640,
Mohammadi, shows pedestrian access from Häwï Road to Pähoa Beach
with no lateral trail. The owners are under enforcement proceedings with
the County. Vehicular access needs to be extended to shoreline.
o Höÿea Road – a vehicular public access extending from the makai end of
Höÿea Road, a paved County road, to the ocean via a private unpaved road.
Current road is gated at the end with no ocean access.
o ÿUpolu Road – a paved government road to the airport on the coast.
Vehicle access on an unpaved road eastward then makai to the ocean in
Kealahewa ahupua‘a as a condition of Subdivision 2000-72.
o ÿUpolu Road – a paved government road to the airport on the coast.
Vehicle access on an unpaved road westward to the road between the
ahupua‘a of ÿUpolu and Honoipu (Old Coast Guard Road) including the
Moÿokini Heiau and Kamehameha birth place. A portion of this road is
granted as vehicular lateral access by Subdivision 2000-209.
o Old Coast Guard Road – a paved federal right of way to the former Coast
Guard Loran station, now and OHA center. (Parker Ranch owns) A parking
lot exists at the shoreline. Vehicular access travels northeast along the old
railroad right of way, a government highway prior to 1892 mauka of the
OHA center (Parker Ranch owns). Pedestrian access travels makai to the
coastal road at both Mo’okini Heiau and Kamehameha Birthsite on existing
trails in Puÿuepa ahupua‘a granted by Subdivision 2000-209.
o Kukuipahu (Parker Ranch subdivision) – vehicular access on an existing
paved road in the Subdivisions 7520, 7521 and 7526 or alongside the
property.Vehicular access for the public was not provided in the above
subdivisions, but should have been.
o Kapa‘a Park Road – an existing paved County road to the County park.
o Kapa‘anui (Mähukona resort) – The resort’s public access plan shows
vehicular access on private subdivision roads in the resort development as a
condition of SMA 341, Change of Zone ordinance 93 109 and Surety
Kohala Public Access Plan. The existing public access is court-ordered
over the existing jeep road on the railroad bed. Road is gated on Mähukona
end.
o Mähukona – vehicular access on the paved government road to the harbor
and Mähukona County Park. Also vehicular access to shoreline within the
Mähukona Resort as a condition of SMA 341, Change of Zone ordinance
93 109 and Surety Kohala Public Access Plan. The existing public access is
court-ordered lateral vehicular access over the existing jeep road on the
railroad bed which is gated.
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o Lapakahi State Historical Park – existing vehicular access on a paved road
within the park to the parking lot, then pedestrian access to the shore.
o Lamaloa ahupua‘a – (just south of Lapakahi Park) vehicular access on an
existing jeep road over state land, TMK 5-7-01:22 and a private parcel,
TMK 5-7-01:11.
o Pao‘o ahupua‘a (Secrets) – vehicular access on an existing jeep road over
state land, TMK 5-7-01:21 and a private parcel TMK 5-7-01:5.
o Kaiholena ahupua‘a – one vehicular access through Subdivision 7543 as
provided by SMA 92 (Pohaku Kea LLC).
o Makeanehu ahupua‘a – vehicular access on an existing jeep road over State
land, TMK 5-8-01:12.
o Kehena 2 ahupua‘a – vehicular access on an existing jeep road over State
land, to Keawenui and Keaweula Bays. Access to Keaweula Bay is blocked
by current land owner.
o Puanui, Puaiki and Ki‘iokalani ahupua‘a – vehicular access on an existing
jeep road over State land and Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd. Land TMK 5-9-03 to
Mäla‘e Point. Also over Kamehameha Schools land TMK 5-8-01:8 to
Wawaionu Bay.
o Kalala ahupua‘a – vehicular access on an existing jeep road over State land,
TMK 5-9-03:1 to Big Bay.
o Makiloa ahupua‘a – vehicular access on an existing jeep road over State
land, TMK 5-9-03:1.
o Kahua 1 and 2 – vehicular access on an existing jeep road over private
land, TMK 5-9-01:8 to Waiaka‘ïlio Bay.
o Kohala Waterfront subdivision – vehicular mauka-makai access over
subdivision or alternative road to a lateral shoreline trail. The County
Planning Commission approved SMA 212 in 1996, an amendment to the
first SMA permit granted in 1984. There is presently public parking just
below Akoni Pule Highway with pedestrian access to the shoreline trail.
The shoreline trail has been cleared and only partially built to date.
o Mähukona to Kawaihae road – the remnants of this road still exist and are
used for vehicular traffic from immediately south of Lapakahi State
Historical Park to Keawenui Bay and also from Wawaionu Bay to the
district boundary.
x Mountain trail and drivable mauka-makai access – The North Kohala Access Focus
Group recommends a road (Wylie Blvd) that traverses the northern upper slopes of
the district just below the forest reserve from Pololü Valley to the Kohala Mountain
Road at the old Puÿu O Kumau Reservoir (Taga Pond) to Kehena and beyond be re-
established for public use. This road was a well-used field road for the sugar
plantation, was unrestricted and widely used to access hunting, gathering and
recreation areas prior to the 1980s. Portions of it are a government highway. It is
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reached by vehicular mauka-makai access from Akoni Pule Highway by the
following existing public and private roads:
o Makanikahio – vehicular access on an existing jeep road in Makanikahio
and Waiÿäpuka ahupua‘a.
o Makapala – vehicular access on a paved government road leading to an
existing jeep road.
o A’amakao (above Kapanai‘a Bay) – vehicular access on an existing jeep
road between Puwaiola and Waiohia gulches. This existing limited public
access was granted in Civil HA-5464 Kohala Corporation v. Ahoi. The key
system for card holding members of the Kohala community is administered
by Hui Mamalahoa and Surety Kohala Corp.
o Halelua Government Road (between Hälawa and Halaÿula) – vehicular
access in Halelua ahupua‘a on the main government road from Kohala to
Waimea prior to 1892. The road exists through private land, TMK 5-3-04:1.
The road extends beyond the proposed mountain trail to meet the Kohala
Mountain road south of Lähikiola cinder cones.
o ÿÄinakea ahupua‘a -- vehicular access on an existing jeep road on private
land.
o Kapa‘au Road – Vehicular access on the paved County Kapa‘au Road
extending mauka on an existing unpaved road over private land to the
Wylie Blvd then to Puu o Kumau.
o Kynnersley Road – vehicular access on the paved County Kynnersley Road
extending mauka on an existing unpaved road over private land to
Puÿuokumau Reservoir (Taga Pond) in the Püehuehu ahupua‘a.
o Puÿuokumau Reservoir (Taga Pond) – vehicular access on existing unpaved
road to a parking area at the mountain trailhead. On private land TMKs 5-7-
04:13, 5-4-01:18 and 5-4-01:4.
x Kohala Windward Valleys -- Trails were built almost 100 years ago to service the Kohala
Ditch Water System and the Kehena Ditch System. Some of them were built over
traditional trails. The coastal and valley trails have been maintained by the Kohala Ditch
Company as well as other valley land owners, frequent Kohala-based users and the public.
The Kehena trail system was maintained by land owners, Kohala-based users and the
public. Some sections of the trails were damaged by the earthquake of 2006.
Traditional users of the trails should not be hampered in their access to the valleys.
o Pololü Lookout – vehicular access on a state highway to the paved lookout
at the trailhead to Pololü Valley. The valley trail system would start at the
bottom of the valley.
o Makanikahio – vehicular access on an existing unpaved road, also listed as
mauka-makai access for the mountain trail to the mauka trailhead of the
valley trail system.
o The Kehena Ditch Trail on private land will be accessed by parking
available at the trailhead in Kaupalaoa off of the Kohala Mountain Road.
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x Old Government roads and the Railroad Right of Way – Government roads that existed
prior to 1892 unless abandoned formally remain within the public domain. The
Mähukona to Niuli‘i railroad was built under charter from the Government of Hawai‘i. It
carried public passengers, mail, government officials and was known as a government
road. It is desirable to identify these public rights of way for trails to important areas for
fishing, hunting, gathering as well as cultural, spiritual and recreational uses.
o Railroad Right of Way – portions of the railroad right of way are being used
now for public vehicular traffic or named in court cases requiring vehicular
public access, such as Mähukona and Kapa’anui, access to pedestrian trails
at Mo’okini and Kamehameha’s Birthsite. The remaining railroad right of
way should become a trail.
o Roads mauka of Akoni Pule Highway on the leeward coast – many of the
old government roads have been named as mauka-makai and lateral
vehicular access for the coastal trail. It is expected that these roadways
mauka of the highway maintain their status as government roads and be
preserved as public trails. One example is the Puÿu Hue to Honoipu
government road (Pineapple Road) which is an existing vehicular roadway.
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4.3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ISSUE/PROBLEM STATEMENT
“Affordable Housing” is a state-wide, and even a national problem and issue. There are many
signs that Hawai‘i is becoming a society of “haves and have nots.” The number of homeless
individuals and families in Hawaiÿi appears to be at an all time high, and various studies and
surveys have estimated that people who are “at risk” of becoming homeless – “three paychecks
away from becoming homeless” – plus the “hidden homeless” – those who are living “doubled up
and tripled up” with other families – total 25% to 30% of all people in Hawaiÿi.
The 2006 Hawaiÿi “Housing Policy Study” numbers for “North Hawaiÿi” (North Kohala and
Hämäkua Districts and a portion of South Kohala) were:
x Total number of households: 9795
x At Risk for Homelessness: 2103 households (21.5%)
x Hidden Homeless: 490 households (5%)
The North Kohala Steering Committee focused on Affordable Housing as one of the most critical
issues facing the community. This issue has become especially acute during the past few years,
during which time average home prices and buildable lot prices in North Kohala have doubled.
The “Growth Management” section of the North Kohala CDP contains a number of strategies that
will help to preserve important cultural sites, open range lands, and farm lands in North Kohala,
and that will moderate future growth and development. However, it should be recognized that
growth management that results in limiting future residential development projects may also result
in even higher housing prices.
The overall need is thus for the design and implementation of a number of action-oriented
programs that will directly address the need for affordable housing. Programs of this kind can be
very challenging to organize and fund.
Detailed data on the affordable housing needs of the North Kohala community are not available
from State or County databases. The Affordable Housing Focus Group participants provided a
qualitative assessment of the community’s affordable housing needs as follows:
o The greatest need is for affordable housing for young families and for young single adults.
There is also a need for affordable housing for the elderly.
o There is a need for both affordable rentals and affordable for-sale homes;
o Affordable home prices would be in the range of $200,000 to $250,000.
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o The lack of affordable housing in Kohala has led to serious social and personal impacts:
many homes are overcrowded, and many young people are being forced to leave Kohala
to look for affordable housing in areas like Puna and Ka`u.
o Affordable housing should be integrated into existing neighborhoods.
o A strategy is needed that can make existing housing stock affordable.
A recently conducted “Housing Survey” (see Appendix B for a copy of the survey) that was
conducted as part of the CDP process resulted in a total of 75 responses. In general, most of the
respondents defined “affordable housing” for Kohala families as homes selling for “less than
$150,000” (44%) or “$150,000 to $250,000” (18%). and noted that the group in most need of
affordable housing was “our young families” and “our kupuna.” Of the 75 survey responses, 23
people (30.7%) said that they were in need of affordable housing, and 33 people (44%) said that a
person or family currently living with them was in need of affordable housing.
Although we do not at this time have detailed numbers for total demand, the need for affordably
priced housing in North Kohala can be approximately calculated by analyzing some basic
numbers:
1. Estimated population of North Kohala District in 2008: +/- 7,000 people
2. If 10% of the population is in need of affordable housing, then 700 people need
affordable housing. If 20%: 1,400 people. If 30%: 2,100 people. Note again that
30.7% of the respondents to the survey said that they were in need of affordable
housing.
3. If the average family or household size is 3 people, then there is a total of about
2,300 existing housing units in North Kohala, and a need for 230 (10%) to perhaps
as many as 700 (30%) affordable units.
4. If we use a number for households “at risk of becoming homeless” and “hidden
homeless,” per the 2006 Housing Policy Study, of 26.5%, there would be a current
need for about 600 affordable units in North Kohala.
Several community members who are active in real estate sales compiled some statistics on the
recent and current North Kohala housing market. These statistics are summarized as follows:
o During the recent sharp increase in real estate values (2004-2006), prices of modest,
existing single family homes in North Kohala nearly doubled.
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o In 2003, 12 homes sold for less than $250,000; 6 homes for $250-$300,000, and another
7 sold for $300-$360,000 – thus there were a total of 25 homes that sold for under
$360,000.
o These homes were typically plantation-era single wall, post and pier homes.
o In 2004, however, not a single house sold in North Kohala for under $300,000. In 2006
only 8 homes sold for under $400,000 (the range was $265,000 to $395,000), and in 2007
only 5 homes sold for under $400,000 (the range was $283,000 to $390,000).
o Thus, since 2003, not a single North Kohala home has sold for under $250,000.
o In 2007, these small, plantation-era homes, with some remodeling, were on the market for
$450,000 to $500,000.
o In late 2007, the lowest priced buildable house lots in North Kohala were in the new
“Hanaÿula Village” project, and were priced at $235,000 to $282,500. Other than these
lots, there were only 3 lots in Häwi or Kapa‘au priced at under $300,000.
o Much of the “affordable” rental market appears to be met through the renting of
unpermitted structures.
o Affordable housing within the existing community fabric can be provided if a second home
or apartment can be built on existing lots.
Of course, prices in the “upscale” subdivisions like Maliu Ridge and Kohala Ranch are in the price
range of $800,000 to $1,000,000+.
Thus, if “affordable” for young families and young singles is in the $150,000 to $250,000 range,
even for a “basic” house, and if a modest house in Kohala is selling for $450,000, there is an
affordability gap of $200,000 to $300,000.
GOAL: THE OVERALL GOAL OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM FOR NORTH
KOHALA IS TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW
AND MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN AND
GRANDCHILDREN
Related Objectives are:
1. To meet the Kohala community’s needs for affordable for-sale and rental housing over
a ten (10) year planning and program development period;
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2. To develop a program that will make some of the existing housing stock affordable to
young families and young single adults;
3. To integrate new affordable housing into the existing fabric of the community;
4. To develop a strong, community-based organization that can work towards achieving
these goals and objectives.
The specific Strategies that implement these Goals and Objectives are presented later in this
chapter. In order to choose the most appropriate Strategies for this CDP, the Affordable Housing
FG discussed the following tools and techniques that were presented by Townscape.
Tools and Techniques for Affordable Housing:
It should be noted that affordable housing is a national and international issue, and there have
been many, many books written, plans published, programs developed, and projects implemented
that address this issue. We do not intend to inventory all of this material here.
Generally, some of the principal tools and techniques that have been or are being used in Hawai‘i
to develop affordable housing are:
1. REGULATORY TOOLS
o “Inclusionary Zoning” – Hawai‘i County Code Chapter 11 “HOUSING” requires
20% of total units for “rezoning” projects to be affordably priced.
2. PUBLIC SECTOR PROGRAMS
o Federal Tax Credit Program – tax credits are provided to developers of rental
projects with rent prices affordable to individuals or families earning 60% or less of
the area median income.
o Federal Public Housing Program – construction of housing units with federal funds;
for low income families.
o Federal “Section 8” Rental Housing Vouchers – provides payments to owners of
rental properties to supplement the modest rents that low income families can
afford to pay.
o State Tax Credit Program – tax credits are provided to developers of rental projects
with rent prices affordable to individuals or families earning 60% or less of the area
median income.
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o State Rental Housing Trust Fund – low interest loans are made available to
developers of affordable rental projects.
o Hawai‘i Housing Finance Development Corporation (HHFDC) – created in 2006,
with a mission to partner with the private sector to develop affordable housing
projects throughout the State of Hawaiÿi.
o Department of Hawaiian Home Lands homestead program – provides affordable
homes to native Hawaiians that have a “blood quantum” of at least 50%.
o Hawai‘i County-sponsored affordable housing projects – the County’s Office of
Housing and Community Development (OHCD) from time to time plans, designs,
and develops affordable housing projects.
3. PRIVATE SECTOR PROGRAMS
o Non-profit housing development corporations – an example is the recently created
(2006) “Hawaiÿi Island Housing Trust,” whose mission is to develop affordable
housing for Hawaiÿi County communities.
o “Self-Help” housing construction programs – the typical program requires families
to contribute 500 person hours of “sweat equity” by helping to build their home.
o Housing Cooperatives (“Co-ops”) – the typical structure is for renters in an
apartment building or complex to organize, purchase the building or complex, and
then manage and maintain the property, and set rents.
o Community Development Corporations – community-based non-profit
organizations that can take action in a number of areas, including developing
affordable housing and creating jobs.
o Community Land Trusts – community-based non-profit organizations that typically
hold housing land “in trust” and thereby lower the cost of for sale and rental
housing.
4. COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS
Community Land Trusts have been created in many areas of the United States to address critical
affordable housing and other community issues. Some additional information on this kind of
organization is provided in this section of the CDP.
There are at present hundreds of land trusts, large and small, in the United States. Many of these
organizations focus exclusively on affordable housing programs; others focus exclusively on land
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conservation. Other Hawai‘i County-based land trusts that were recently created include the
Hawai‘i Island Housing Trust, which focuses on affordable housing, and the Hawai‘i Island Land
Trust, which focuses on land conservation programs.
A community land trust entity is well-suited for the implementation of a program that focuses on
making existing housing stock affordable to local families and young single adults. The program
would work basically as follows:
1. The Land Trust develops an “affordable housing revolving fund” from public and private
sources.
2. The Land Trust develops a list of Kohala families and individuals that need affordable
housing. Note: “need” criteria will have to be developed.
3. The Land Trust buys existing homes that are selling at market prices – currently about
$400,000 to $450,000.
4. The Land Trust sells each house to an eligible family or eligible single person (or group of
singles)but retains title to the land. Thus, for example, if the value of the house lot is
$200,000, the sales price of the house alone might be $200,000 to $250,000. The Land
Trust leases the house lot to the buyer for a nominal amount – perhaps $100 a year.
5. The sales contract includes restrictions that will ensure that the house will be “affordable in
perpetuity.” Restrictions will thus include limiting appreciation of the price of the house
to the federal consumer price index (CPI) or similar index, and a requirement that any
future sale of the house be to the Land Trust and not on the open market.
There are other important program details and options that will have to be worked out, including
an amendment to the County real property tax rules such that lands held by a Community Land
Trust are exempt from or given a very low rate for real property taxes. However, the basics of the
program are as outlined above.
Other actions by a North Kohala Community Land Trust could include:
o Raise funds – say $50,000 to $100,000 – to sponsor an architectural competition for the
design of innovative affordable homes that would be specific to Kohala’s history, culture,
climate, and economy.
o Purchase available building lots and partner with the Hawai‘i Island Community
Development Corporation (HICDC) to implement a number of “self-help” housing
projects. HICDC is a Hawai‘i County based nonprofit that specializes in self-help housing.
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5. AMENDING COUNTY CODES
In addition to these tools, there is considerable interest in North Kohala – as well as in many other
areas of Hawai‘i County, in the possibility of amending County subdivision code and the building
code such that innovative and appropriate forms of housing and residential/agricultural
neighborhoods can be constructed at a relatively low cost. These ideas will be further discussed
later in this chapter.
For the North Kohala community and its affordable housing needs, the most useful Strategies
identified include the following:
Strategy 3.1: ‘Ohana Housing Units and Additional Farm Dwellings
Strategy 3.2: Self-Help Housing
Strategy 3.3: Non-profit housing development corporation or similar entity
Strategy 3.4: Pre-emptions of certain County regulations to provide for more
affordable housing and/or changes to County codes to facilitate
affordable rural housing
The Action Steps for each of these Strategies are provided in the following pages.
Strategy 3.1: ‘Ohana Housing and Additional Farm Dwellings
Background
There was a strong consensus within the Affordable Housing Focus Group that strategies were
needed that could provide affordable homes as quickly and simply as possible. That discussion
focused on ‘Ohana housing units and construction of additional farm dwellings on working farms.
Currently, any and all of these strategies for providing affordable homes quickly are constrained by
the limitations of the potable water system in Kohala, and the policy of the Department of Water
Supply (DWS) to limit each “lot of record” to one water meter and a maximum use of 600 gallons
of water per day. However, the DWS has plans to construct a new well in the Halaÿula area, and
once this well is in place lots of record may be able to have up to 7 water meters per lot. DWS
has stated that the new well should be in service within “a few years.”
Thus, once the potable water system for Kohala has been upgraded with a new well and
associated reservoirs and water transmission lines, it may be possible to create some affordable
homes by:
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o Building a second “‘ohana” unit on existing lots in areas zoned RS (Residential Single
Family) in Kohala. The ohana unit could provide housing for some members of an
extended family that may currently be crowded into one house, or the ohana unit could be
rented to a non-related family or individual – thus potentially providing some affordable
rental homes. Note: ohana units are permitted in Residential or Rural Zoning Districts, but
not in any of the Agriculture Zoning Districts.
o Some community members have asked about County regulations on constructing
additional dwellings on parcels in an Agriculture Zoning District. County regulations
generally allow more than one “farm dwelling” on a lot within the State Agriculture District
and within any of the Agriculture Zoning Districts – A-1a, A-3a, A-5a, A-10a, A-20a, A-
40a, etc. County Planning Director guidelines on "Additional Farm Dwellings," dated
March 22, 2001, require that an applicant for a building permit for a second farm dwelling
on a lot in an “A” Zoning District be able to demonstrate that "the level of farming activity
should require at least one day per week, full time, for the first additional farm dwelling
(the second dwelling on the lot).... The third dwelling on a lot will not be approved unless
there is existing agricultural activity sufficient to keep one worker employed full-time."
Note: no specific “Action Program” is outlined here, as actions are not possible until DWS has
completed the new groundwater wells and related water infrastructure.
Strategy 3.2: Self-help housing
Background
The Hawai‘i Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC), with offices in Hilo, develops
self-help housing projects throughout Hawai‘i County.
The mission of HICDC is to provide low income families with housing opportunities. The
organization provides technical assistance to participants in self-help housing programs and assists
families in applying for loans from USDA Rural Development. HICDC also develops housing for
low income senior citizens.
HICDC is currently developing plans for two affordable housing projects in North Kohala:
x Kamakua Self Help Subdivision – 22 self help homes on 7,500+ sf lots on a 16-acre site
near Kohala High School. The 15-acre makai portion of the 31-acre property could be
developed as a “phase 2” project.
x ‘Äinakea Senior Residences – 30 1-bedroom, 1 bath units for senior citizens 62+ years of
age and with incomes at 50% of area median income. Construction scheduled to start in
June 2008.
Self Help Housing Strategy – Establish an ongoing Self-Help Housing Construction Program for
North Kohala that will provide 10 to 20 homes per year for at least the next 10 years.
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x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee will have an ongoing
role for the implementation of the CDP, including the implementation of affordable
housing programs. The Action Committee can work with HICDC and with the County
Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) to establish an ongoing self-help
housing program.
x WHAT needs to be done – Work with the Hawai‘i Island Community Development
Corporation (HICDC) to establish an ongoing self-help housing program for North Kohala.
x WHERE and WHEN will actions take place – HICDC plans to start construction of 2
affordable housing projects in North Kohala in 2008: the 22-lot “Kamakua” self-help
housing project near Kohala High School, and the 30-unit Seniors Housing project at
‘Äinakea. Additional sites for self-help housing projects need to be identified as part of the
CDP. One potential site, state owned land adjacent to the existing “Kahei Houselots” near
Häwï Center, has already been identified as a possible affordable housing site. Other state-
owned and privately owned sites that may have potential for self-help housing and for
other types of affordable housing projects are shown on the accompanying map.
Generally, and in accordance with the overall policies for North Kohala that are presented
in section 3.2 of this CDP, self-help homes and other affordable housing projects should be
located on lands that are within the “Low Density Urban” areas shown on the County
General Plan LUPAG Map (see Figure 4). These areas are generally near the existing
Village Centers of Häwï, Kapaÿau, Hälawa, and Niuliÿi. In addition, however, if there are
suitable State-owned lands or private lands outside of the “Low Density Urban” areas that
could be feasibly developed for affordable housing, such other lands should be seriously
considered.
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x HOW MUCH will self-help housing cost – For a small (10-20 lots) new subdivision with
7,500 sf lots, and assuming general conformance with current County subdivision
standards, the cost of land plus grading, roads, drainage, and utilities (“infrastructure”)
could be in the range of $150,000 to $200,000 for each house lot. Already existing lots
selling at “market prices” would be more costly – for North Kohala in early 2008, probably
in the range of $200,000 to $250,000 for a 10,000 sf lot. For a “self-help” constructed
home of 1,100 square feet, the cost of materials and contractors for foundations, plumbing
and electrical work will be about $120,000, not including the value of the “self-help”
labor. So: total cost for a self-help home would be in the range of $270,000 to $320,000
for self-help homes in a new subdivision, and $320,000 to $370,000 for self-help homes
built on market-priced lots.
x Intended Outcome - If an average of 10 moderately priced self-help homes can be
constructed every year for the next ten years, there would be a total of 100 new affordable
homes created in Kohala – which would be about 15% of the estimated need of 600 to
700 affordable homes.
Strategy 3.3: Non-profit housing corporation(s)
Background
There are a number of non-profit corporations in Hawaiÿi that are focused on the development of
affordable housing.
In 2006, the County’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) and others were
instrumental in forming a new “501c(3)” non-profit entity called the “Hawaiÿi Island Land Trust.
(HIHT).” The mission of HIHT is to plan, finance, and construct affordable housing projects,
including “workforce housing projects,” in areas of the County where there is the greatest need.
HIHT is designed to create a number of subsidiary entities, each of which would be a “single
member Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)” that would also have tax-exempt status under the
501c(3) certification of HIHT. Each LLC would be the “developer” of a particular housing project.
HIHT’s first project will be the “Kamakoa at Waikoloa Village” workforce housing project. The
master plan for this ambitious project calls for the construction of 800 for-sale homes and 400
rental units, plus parks, a community center, a daycare center, and a site for a future elementary
school.
For sale homes will be comparable in quality to “market homes,” but will be priced to be
affordable to families earning 80% to 140% of the area median income, which in 2007 was about
$57,000 for a family of 4 persons. In 2007 dollars, that would mean that homes would be priced
from about $235,000 to $385,000, and rents would be from about $800 to $1100 a month.
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The “For Sale” homes do not include sale of the land; each home buyer will receive a sub-lease
for their building lot. Prices for the homes and apartments are to remain affordable “in
perpetuity.”
One of the major challenges for affordable housing projects is financing: how to design a
financing plan that will provide construction financing and “permanent” financing at the lowest
possible cost. For the Kamakoa project, the primary financing sources may be summarized as
follows:
x Initial planning funds: from the County’s Affordable Housing Revolving Fund
x Infrastructure financing: from County General Obligation (GO) Bond funds and from Tax
Exempt Bonds that will be issued through a “Community Facilities District” (CFD), a new
entity that will be created for this purpose;
x Vertical (housing construction) financing: from Tax Exempt Revenue Bonds.
x Home mortgage loans for home buyers: special “below market rate” loans guaranteed by
the quasi-public national home loan corporation known as “Fannie Mae.”
These financing tools collectively, together with the “Land Trust” land lease structure, lower the
price of the for–sale homes to about 60% to 70% of the price of a market home. Thus, for
example, a $300,000 home in the Kamakoa project would sell for about $430,000 to $500,000 if
it was located elsewhere in Waikoloa Village.
A subsidiary LLC of HIHT could be created to develop affordable housing projects for North
Kohala. There could be one LLC that could develop a number of sites, or alternatively there could
be several LLC’s each of which would develop a specific site. Alternatively, a new non-profit
entity could be affiliated with HIHT for the purposes of developing affordable homes and rental
apartments for North Kohala. A second alternative would be to establish a North Kohala
affordable housing entity that would be affiliated with HIHT but that would NOT need its own
501(C)3 certification, per IRS rules for what is called “Group Exemptions.” The IRS sometimes
recognizes a group of organizations as tax-exempt if they are affiliated with a central (non-profit)
organization. (See IRS Rev. Proc. 80-27, 1980-1 C.B. 677). A third alternative would be to create
a separate North Kohala Housing Non-Profit.
At least for the first several projects, new affordable housing projects for North Kohala should
probably be relatively small in size: perhaps in the range of 10 to 20 units. Smaller projects would
fit better into the fabric of the existing community, and would also be easier to bring on line in a
reasonable timeframe. Note that planning for the Kamakoa project began in early 2004, and the
project will (finally) begin site construction work in mid-2008 – a planning/design period of 4½
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years. The first homes will not be ready for occupancy until mid-2009 – 5½ years after planning
work began. Large projects require large land areas and large amounts of time to plan and design!
The LLC (or similar Kohala-based entity) would own the land, and home buyers would lease their
lot for a nominal amount. Homes would be kept affordably priced in perpetuity through deed
restrictions that limit price appreciation, and through a requirement that any future sale of a home
would have to be to the LLC.
The action steps for creating an LLC subsidiary of HIHT for North Kohala would be something like
this:
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee should have an
ongoing role for the implementation of the CDP, including the implementation of
affordable housing programs. The Action Committee can work with HIHT and with the
OHCD to establish the North Kohala Housing LLC or some similar entity.
x WHAT needs to be done – Work with the HIHT Board of Directors and the County Office
of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) to create an LLC subsidiary or similar
entity to develop affordable housing for North Kohala. Some of the more detailed tasks
include the following:
o Create and organize the North Kohala Affordable Housing Entity: articles of
incorporation, bylaws, board of directors, policies and procedures, etc.; seek and
obtain initial seed money
o Tentative selection of a project site or sites, and
o Initial project planning and financial proforma, potentially funded by the County’s
Affordable Housing Revolving Fund.
o Proposal to County Council for General Obligation (GO) Bond financing for land
acquisition, design, and possibly for some of the infrastructure costs.
o County Council approval of GO Bond financing for land acquisition and (?) some
of the infrastructure costs.
o Designation of the project site as a “201H experimental affordable housing
project.”
o Design and implement financing program for infrastructure and vertical
construction.
o Design and construction of infrastructure and homes. Note: the project could
include some “self-help” homes and/or “owner-builder” homes.
o Marketing and sale of the homes.
x WHERE and WHEN will actions take place – One possible site for affordable housing is
the State-owned land in the vicinity of the Kahei houselots, near Häwï Center. And as
noted in section 5.1 above, affordable housing projects should generally be constructed on
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lands within the “Low Density Urban” zones shown on the County General Plan LUPAG
map. In addition, however, if there are suitable State-owned lands or private lands outside
of the “Low Density Urban” areas that could be feasibly developed for affordable housing,
such other lands should be seriously considered.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – Use of the “land trust” land lease model, together with
restrictions on appreciation of house values and creative financing can result in sales prices
and rent prices that are 30% to 50% below area “market” prices. For North Kohala, that
would mean, for example, a new 1,100 square foot home on a 7,500 square foot lot might
sell for $250,000 to $300,000, and a 400 sf 1-bedroom rental apartment might rent for
$600 to $800 per month.
x Intended Outcome – Once organized, up and running, the North Kohala Affordable
Housing Entity could conceivably develop 20 or more units per year. At this production
rate, the Entity could build about 200 or more units over a 10 year period – which would
meet roughly 33% of the current demand for affordable homes in North Kohala. Assuming
that a well-organized entity can be created and can continue to develop affordable homes
for the next 20 or more years, it is conceivable that North Kohala can eventually meet the
community’s need for affordable housing.
Strategy 3.4: Pre-emptions of certain County regulations to provide for more affordable housing
and/or changes to County codes to facilitate affordable rural housing
Background
The County of Hawai‘i has subdivision rules and standards that govern the design of roads and
utilities for housing projects, and a building code that governs the design of buildings. Some code
requirements can be “pre-empted” for affordable housing projects, in accordance with State
Statute “201H.” Alternatively, County planners and engineers may be able to work together to
develop a set of “rural planning standards” that will be more appropriate for rural areas like North
Kohala, and that will result in lower infrastructure costs for rural housing projects. (Note: “rural
infrastructure standards” are discussed in the “Infrastructure” section of this CDP.)
“Infrastructure” costs – roads, water, sewer, drainage, electrical, communications – for “County
standard” residential subdivisions, including paved roads, paved roadside drainage swales, and
underground utilities, are currently running in the range of $100,000 to $150,000 per house. The
high cost of infrastructure has a major impact on affordability.
A “very basic” rural residential subdivision could be constructed with narrower paved roads, grass
drainage swales, and some overhead utility lines, with a resulting savings of perhaps $30,000 or
more per lot.
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For parcels of less than 15-acres, the County Council can exempt an affordable housing project
from State “Agriculture” District requirements as well as exempt the project from County zoning
and subdivision regulations. For parcels greater than 15-acres in size, the 201H designation must
be approved by the Hawaiÿi Housing Finance Development Corporation (HHFDC). Note that State
Department of Health Rules require lots with on-site wastewater disposal systems be a minimum
of 10,000 sf. For North Kohala, any “201H” affordable housing projects should generally be
limited to areas that are consistent with the Growth Management Goal of “direct North Kohala’s
growth to areas within and near town centers.”
The pre-emption process would generally work as follows:
Strategy: For specific affordable housing projects, pre-empt certain County subdivision and
infrastructure standards and requirements in order to lower residential subdivision costs, thereby
providing for more affordable rural housing.
Action Steps
o WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala Affordable Housing Entity
o WHAT needs to be done – The Housing Entity will organize its first housing
development project, obtain “201H” affordable housing designation from the County,
retain an architect and engineer, and work with the architect and engineer to develop a
detailed list of desired/required exemptions from specific County subdivision and
infrastructure standards and requirements.
o WHERE and WHEN will actions take place – The desired exemptions will be worked
out once an overall project plan has been developed that addresses: site plan, site
costs, vertical costs, “soft” costs, financing strategy, target market(s), and sales prices.
o HOW MUCH will it cost – Exemptions from certain County standards and
requirements could potentially lower rural residential subdivision infrastructure costs
by 20% to 30%.
o Intended Outcome – Affordably priced homes can be developed for the Kohala
community.
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4.4 INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC FACILITIES
ISSUE/PROBLEM STATEMENT
Much of Kohala’s major infrastructure and public facilities was constructed decades ago, including
the roads, water system, electric power lines, and healthcare facilities. The community feels that it
is time for these aging infrastructure systems to be revamped, repaired, or replaced. These include
repairing the Hisaoka Gym (damaged during the 2006 earthquake) and improving
communications, such as radio and cell phone service, which are important for educational
opportunities as well as timely emergency response.
The community says there is a need for overall improved emergency preparedness. Due to
Kohala’s geographic isolation, it is vulnerable to system failures or outages, including those caused
by natural disasters, since it takes so long for outside help to arrive. The fact that there is only one
main road through Kohala is indicative of most of the major infrastructure there, including
electricity and water. The community would like to improve reliability of these systems by
creating back-up, redundancy, repair and replacement. They would also like to learn how to
better handle emergency situations themselves, through training such as CERT (Community
Emergency Response Team), to improve their ability to communicate critical information to the
community during emergency situations, and improve the responsiveness and capabilities of
emergency service providers.
Lastly, community members have discussed the need for Rural Infrastructure Standards. Such
standards would help maintain Kohala’s rural character. They would also aid in keeping costs
down for affordable housing projects. Thus, the overall goal for the Infrastructure in Kohala can be
summarized as follows:
GOAL: REVAMP, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE AGING OR DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE;
IMPROVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS; PRIORITIZE AND IMPLEMENT FUTURE
IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES; AND DEVELOP AND
IMPLEMENT RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARDS
Strategies that need to be implemented to achieve this Goal include the following:
Strategy 4.1: Repair and Relocate the Solid Waste Transfer Station
Strategy 4.2: Improve Parks (restrooms, gym & public boat ramp)
Strategy 4.3: Improve Communication Systems (radio, cell, internet)
Strategy 4.4: Improve Emergency Preparedness and Response
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Strategy 4.5: Upgrade Potable Water System
Strategy 4.6: Improve Existing Roadway Systems and Create Emergency Bypass Roads
Strategy 4.7: Improve Reliability of Electrical Service in North Kohala
Strategy 4.8: Develop and Implement Rural Infrastructure Standards
Strategy 4.9: Increase Community Awareness of Healthcare Services in Kohala
Strategy 4.10: Improve Fire Department Facilities, Equipment and Services
Strategy 4.11: Improve Police Department Facilities, Equipment and Services
Strategy 4.12: Long Term Strategies
4.12a: Support repair and maintenance of existing agricultural water
transmission and distribution systems to meet agricultural needs
4.12b: Support adequate, affordable, and visually appealing infrastructure for
affordable housing
4.12c: Support enhancement of Educational Facilities and Programs for the
District
The Action Steps for each of these Strategies are provided in the next few pages.
Strategy 4.1: Repair and Relocate the Solid Waste Transfer Station
Background
The Ka‘auhuhu Transfer Station is Kohala’s sole solid waste transfer station. At 17 acres, it is too
small for current demand, in part due to the steep-sided gully that encompasses most of the 17
acres. Not only does the size limit the amount of trash and recyclables that it can receive, the
small driveway causes frequent circulation problems within the facility, as well as causing traffic
jams on the access road. The facility also offers limited recycling options, which is especially
important to a community like Kohala, which has won accolades from the County for its recycling
efforts.
In 2004, the “WasteStream” project was formed. WasteSteam works to expand the community’s
capabilities to reuse, reduce, and recycle, and was instrumental in talking to the County about
getting a new transfer station with improved recycling capabilities. The County’s Department of
Environmental Management (DEM) subsequently placed the district at the top of its list to receive
an upgraded facility, in the form of a Class 1 Neighborhood Recycling Center (NRC). DEM would
like the new site to be selected by the community, since residents know which location would be
most convenient and would work best for them.
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In December 2007, the County DEM hired a consultant to begin the Site Assessment study. By
March 2008, the Site Assessment study had identified 104 potential TMKs for the NRC.
Community meetings are scheduled to further the selection process.
The criteria (in no particular order) are:
x provide site access from a minimum two-lane paved roadway [Note: ‘Upolu is a one-lane
road.]
x access to water and power
x as close to the main E-W road, Akoni Pule Highway, as possible to allow easy access for
the large waste-hauling trucks that currently frequent the transfer station quite often
x at least 5 acres, with a range up to 10 acres, to allow for a full transfer station, full
recycling, green waste shredding and composting, and a re-use facility with an economic
component of repair and sales
x meets criteria for required County use permit
x as far away from existing house lots as possible to reduce or eliminate public objections
and the "not in my back yard" reactions
x convenient to the public, at least as convenient as the current transfer station
x location should balance easy access for residents while minimizing truck traffic through
the community
x a location that can be contoured and landscaped to reduce or eliminate visual impact of
the site and maintain the natural beauty of the surrounding areas
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The County of Hawaici Department of Environmental
Management (DEM)
x WHAT needs to be done – Interim plan is to repair current transfer station. Long-term plan
is to build a new transfer station.
o Repair the damage to the Kacauhuhu Station, which was caused by the 2006
earthquake.
o Continue oversight of the Site Assessment of potential sites for location of a new
transfer station, complete an EA or EIS once a site is chosen, and construct a new
Neighborhood Recycling Center (NRC).
o Get community input on site selection.
x WHEN will actions take place – DEM has scheduled the repair work to begin in the 3rd
Quarter of 2008. It is estimated that the planning, designing, and building of the transfer
station will take several years to complete.
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x HOW MUCH will it cost – DEM estimates the repairs will cost approximately $300,000.
The estimate for the new Neighborhood Recycling Center is $3 to $4 Million, hopefully
including land acquisition.
x Intended Outcome – The Ka‘auhuhu Transfer Station will be repaired and utilized until the
new transfer station and recycling center is completed.
Strategy 4.2: Improve Parks (restrooms, gym & public boat ramp)
Background
Several of the parks within the district need improvements, most notably the park restrooms.
Infrastructure Focus Group members reported a real need for public restrooms in the district,
especially for visitors. Many feel that improved restroom facilities at parks could help fulfill that
need.
Hisaoka Gym, located in the Kamehameha Park Complex, was damaged by the October 2006
earthquake, and has not been re-opened since. The community is eager to get the facility repaired
and open for use again.
Another issue that community members have identified is the need for a public boat ramp in the
district. A small boat ramp in North Kohala would provide recreational opportunities and
emergency access to the ocean.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala Action Committee in conjunction with the
County of Hawaici Department of Parks and Recreation and the Army Corps of Engineers
(COE)
x WHAT needs to be done –
o The Parks Department currently has plans to upgrade the parks that community
members identified as needing improvements, which include:
Këökea Beach Park
Kamehameha Park Complex
Kapa‘a Beach Park
Mähukona Beach Park
o Secure funding for and initiate further studies for options for a public boat ramp via
a collaborative effort between the community, COE, the County, and the State.
o The study shall provide extensive information, including an Environmental
Assessment, to the community, and actively gather community input before
implementing any of the aforementioned options.
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x WHEN will actions take place – Although DPR has plans to upgrade these parks, the
agency does not have the repairs or improvements scheduled, other than those for the
Hisaoka Gym, which have already begun. Further planning on a public boat ramp is
dependent on funding, continued public input, and obtaining permits from federal, state
and county agencies.
x HOW MUCH will it cost –
o DPR does not have cost estimates, but it reported that these basic park
improvements should be covered by the County CIP budget.
o The public boat ramp may be partially funded by the COE, but other funding
sources need to be identified, such as the County and/or State.
x Intended Outcome – Improved parks and park facilities, including the Hisaoka Gym,
public restrooms, and a public boat ramp in the district.
Strategy 4.3: Improve Communication Systems (radio, cell, and internet)
Background
A local radio station would be a huge enhancement to the community’s emergency
communications, since it could be hooked up to generators that would run during power failures.
A radio station would also provide benefits to the community at large, such as communicating
community events and information, networking, and educational opportunities.
Kohala currently has “spotty” cell phone reception through most providers. Residents would like
to improve this service, both for emergency communication and daily usage. However, because
this service is provided by private companies, this CDP has no direct control over this issue.
Nonetheless, they would like to state their desire for enhanced service to their district, especially
for the purpose of improved emergency communications.
The State of Hawai‘i understands that advanced broadband is essential infrastructure. In 2007,
Hawai`i’s House of Representatives passed HB310 CD2, which established a Broadband Task
Force. One goal of the Task Force is to remove barriers to broadband access, including gaining
wider access to public rights-of-way. While this CDP has no direct control over private
companies, residents encourage the County to work with the State and its Broadband Task Force
in evaluating ways to reach this goal, perhaps by encouraging private investment supported by
state or county tax incentives.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The FCC (Federal Communications Commission), Hawai‘i
Broadband Task Force; County, and various cell phone providers (private companies)
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x WHAT needs to be done –
o The FCC is currently reviewing an application for a public non-commercial FM
radio station to serve the district.
o This CDP encourages various cell phone and internet providers to increase their
service to North Kohala.
o Contact Hawaici Broadband Task Force regarding studies to date, wireless options,
possible federal or state funding for improved access in rural areas.
o Support approval of tower installations that do not adversely impact property
owners and visual beauty.
o Obtain community input on location of tower installations.
x WHEN will actions take place – The FCC will make a decision on the proposed radio
station’s application by the end of 2008, or mid-2009. The FCC may also open another
application process for a low power non-commercial educational public station between
2008 and 2010.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – A public, non-commercial FM radio station will cost
approximately $30,000 to build, and approximately $15,000 - $25,000 per year to run.
Sponsorships could cover this budget. This is based on all volunteer staff (no salaries or
wages).
x Intended Outcome – The goal is to provide Kohala residents with improved cell phone
and internet service, and to establish the district’s own FM radio station. All of these
services would be an enhancement to the community’s emergency communications, as
well as beneficial to communicating community events and information, networking, and
educational opportunities.
Strategy 4.4: Improve Emergency Preparedness and Response
Background
Because Kohala is somewhat isolated from the rest of the island, this district especially needs to
have a well-prepared emergency response plan. Specifically, the community would like to know
what they can do immediately in an emergency situation, before outside help responds. Thus, the
community wants to obtain both training as well as the tools necessary to act efficiently and
effectively.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program is provided by County Civil
Defense and consists of four 8-hour sessions. The purpose is to build community resilience
through teaching basic skills, as well as what to expect and what to do until professional help
arrives. The CERT training has been well received by the other communities around the island
that have already completed the program.
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The community also expressed concern regarding the adequacy, safety, and security of emergency
food supplies and emergency shelters. CERT trainees may help provide local direction and
identification of needs, but overall planning, supplies, and resources must come from Civil
Defense and the County.
Regarding emergency response tools, the community agrees that one of the best communications
tools would be having a large lighted sign (or two) that they could use to post important
information during emergency situations. Kohala High School was identified as one ideal location
for these signs. The school could apply for funding from Civil Defense through the Department of
Education (DOE). In addition, the school could use the signs on a daily basis.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – Civil Defense and the North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done –
o Provide Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training at least annually in
North Kohala; encourage residents to complete the training.
o The North Kohala CDP Action Committee can help Kohala School apply for
funding through DOE, from Civil Defense, for large lighted signs that can be used
for daily communication, as well as in emergency situations.
o Identify and provision emergency shelters, including adequate first aid and food
supplies.
x WHEN will actions take place –
o Civil Defense last scheduled the CERT training for North Kohala in March 2008.
Another training session should be held no later than March 2009, and annually
thereafter.
o The Action Committee should apply for the funding as soon as possible.
x HOW MUCH will it cost –
o Cost of CERT is covered by Civil Defense
o Large lighted signs cost approximately $35,000 to $40,000, depending on the
model.
x Intended Outcome – The North Kohala community will be better prepared to handle
emergency situations.
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Strategy 4.5: Upgrade Potable Water System
Background
Kohala’s water system currently has aging pipes, limited water pressure in some areas (e.g.,
Kokoiki), and no redundancy. There are two wells and two pumps in Häwï that are all connected
(as such, they are considered one system) that service the entire district. When one pump broke in
March 2007, the community was reliant on service from the other pump. Then the second pump
went down in October, the community was without water for several days. Therefore, residents
would like redundancy developed as soon as possible so they do not have to face the possibility of
another water failure.
Throughout this process, the Department of Water Supply (DWS) has met with various members of
the CDP team, and one of their project engineers came to a CDP Steering Committee and Focus
Group meeting in March 2008, to present DWS’s plan for creating redundancy in Kohala. Some
of the details of their plans are described here, and the main steps involved in creating redundancy
are included in the Action Steps below.
The current water availability in North Kohala is 1 water meter per lot of record, which provides
between 400 and 600 gallons per day (enough for 1 single family residence). DWS will be putting
in a new well in Hala‘ula that will match and connect to the Häwï wells, which will create
redundancy.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The County Department of Water Supply (DWS)
x WHAT needs to be done –
o Repair or replace aging water lines.
o Create redundancy for Kohala’s water system by putting in a new well in Hala‘ula.
o It will be a matching well to the current wells in Häwï. They will be connected,
which will create redundancy.
o In addition, a new well at Makapala will be brought on-line in the near future, and
DWS has plans to build and/or replace three enclosed reservoirs in the district.
x WHEN will actions take place – It will take several years for DWS to plan, fund, design,
and construct the new wells and associated improvements, but these projects are part of
DWS’s plans, and funding for the new Hala‘ula well is on their 5-year CIP budget.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – The cost to replace water lines is unknown. The cost for the
new Hala‘ula well, plus the associated improvements, will be in the range of $4 to $5
million.
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x Intended Outcome – Kohala residents and agricultural users will have reliable water
sources.
Strategy 4.6: Improve Existing Roadway Systems and Create Emergency Bypass Roads
Background
Improvements are needed for many of the roads within the district. Deferred maintenance of
County Roads needs to be addressed. The Kohala community should have input in the annual CIP
budgeting process to determine locations to be improved. Of primary concern is the need to open
another road around certain areas that are prone to closure in the event of a natural disaster, such
as flooding or a landslide. Specifically, Pratt Road was identified as a possible emergency bypass
route around Häwï (Alalae) and Kapa‘au (Hala‘ula), in the event that Akoni Pule Highway was
closed. In addition, the community has identified existing gulch crossings from Hala‘ula to Pololü
as needing bypass routes in times of emergency.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done –
o The NK CDP Action Committee and DPW (Department of Public Works) need to
work together to determine the ownership of Pratt Road and set up meetings
between the various owners and County to discuss the possibility of emergency use
of Pratt road, without the County acquiring it.
o Liability issues need to be worked out.
o A similar process is needed for identifying emergency bypass routes from Hala‘ula
to Pololü.
o All future CIP-funded maintenance and construction projects should consider
community input when being prioritized.
x WHEN will actions take place –
o Research on ownership and initial discussions with owners of Pratt Road can take
place as soon as the Action Committee is organized and functioning.
o CIP-funded projects should be reviewed with community input starting with the
next County Council budget session.
x HOW MUCH will it cost –
o There will be some costs involved in the repair of Pratt Road. In addition, if the
road can be opened through an arrangement between the land owners, then there
may also be the cost of liability insurance.
o CIP-funded project costs are determined on a case-by-case basis.
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x Intended Outcome – The goal is to improve all elements of the County road system in
North Kohala and open Pratt Road as an emergency bypass route around Häwï and
Kapa‘au, and identify a location for an emergency bypass location from Hala‘ula to Pololü,
in the event that Akoni Pule Highway was closed in any of these areas.
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Strategy 4.7: Improve Reliability of Electrical Service in North Kohala
Background
HELCO (Hawai‘i Electric Light Company) currently maintains one radial electrical transmission
line going into Kohala (34.5kV), which runs along the Kohala Mountain Road. This line has been
subject to frequent down time causing the entire district to lose electrical service and risk damage
to electrical devices upon restoration of steady power. Only those few with alternate power
sources continue to have power on a limited basis. Most agree that, at a minimum, strengthening
the existing line by replacing poles, lines and conductors is warranted. Reliable electrical service
to support water, fire, health, communications systems, community safety, and other public
services remains a major issue.
Back-up versus Redundancy. There was discussion regarding the merits of “back-up” versus
“redundancy” of the electrical system. Redundancy was the preferred approach to providing
adequate and reliable electricity to Kohala.
A “back-up” electrical system in Kohala generally refers to having an alternate source of power
generation within the district during times of a HELCO outage.
A “redundant” electrical system generally refers to having an alternate HELCO power feed to the
district in addition to the radial line over Kohala Mountain Road.
Back-up.While back-up power can be utilized for short-term, specific locations such as a hospital
or grocery store, there are drawbacks to using back-up power for the district as a whole:
x Back-up generation can be installed only at limited locations, such as an existing HELCO
substation.
x Back-up systems are costly: Back-up generators cost approximately $2 million per
megawatt (MW) of electricity generated. The district uses 3 to 5 MW so a backup system
would cost approximately $6 to $10 million.
x Safety concerns, including dangerous feed-back of generated power to workers in areas
under repair with no isolation switches;
x Emissions from type of fuel being burned;
x Fuel storage method and location;
x Noise; and
x Hazmat considerations.
Currently, North Kohala has no back-up power to run its water pumps. DWS has back-up
generation installation planned for Häwï Well #2, whose service area is currently limited to the
area from Puakea to Hala‘ula. No plans were mentioned for other pumps in the district. When
the back-up generators are installed, typically there will be a one (1) day fuel storage onsite. In
case of a longer power outage, DWS plans to bring in large capacity fuel tanker trucks, with all the
environmental and Hazmat considerations referenced above. There is enough water stored in the
existing DWS pipelines and enclosed reservoirs to last a day. Trucks could supply water beyond
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North Kohala CDP Page 83
that day, until an existing well could power-up. In this event, no water would be available above
elevation 800 ft. MSL because the various booster pumps above Häwï #2 would lack power as
well.
The use of ‘Upolu Wind Farm was considered as back-up power for North Kohala. However, it
was deemed not feasible because of potentially significant costs and technical hurdles to
overcome. The wind generators at ‘Upolu are of the “asynchronous” variety and HELCO’s system
is “synchronous.” The wind farm’s output varies with the wind speed creating synchronicity
problems with the grid. The feed into HELCO’s grid during normal operations is possible through
a 60 Hz “carrier current” which requires an external (HELCO) source of power to operate. For the
Wind Farm to provide back-up electricity when HELCO is not available, an on-site generator with
a capacity equal to the wind farm’s output (3-5 MW) would have to run 100% of the time. In
today’s dollars, an asynchronous back-up generator costs about $1 million per megawatt, or $3 to
$5 million to back up the Wind Farm. Again, the issues of fuel availability, storage and hazmat
considerations must be addressed. Also, winds are unpredictable.
Back-up generation has been proposed for North Kohala in the past. Last decade, HELCO
proposed a back-up generation facility for the North Kohala District to be located on Industrial
zoned land near the former Kohala Sugar Company Mill site. This application to the PUC was
HELCO’s attempt to provide the district with more dependable power but was opposed by a
community group and the application was withdrawn.
Redundancy.North Kohala is the only district lacking redundancy on the entire Island. Every
other Hawai`i County district has an electrical system which operates on a “looped” or
“redundant” system. Generated power can be transmitted from Hilo, Kona and Puna via circle-
island transmission lines as well as over lines crossing the Mauna Kea/Mauna Loa Saddle. For
example, power to the Ka‘u and South Point areas of the island can be sent from Hilo, Puna or
Kona, providing a redundant supply in times of upset conditions anywhere on the island.
North Kohala has no such redundancy. The district is served by one 34.5Kv “Radial (single) Feed
Line” across Kohala Mountain. While this line may be strengthened by pole, line and conductor
replacement over its nearly 20 miles, redundancy would still be lacking for all the residents of
Kohala, for all public facilities (including water wells and booster pumps), and for
communications, internet, etc.
HELCO has considered at least three options to provide redundant electrical service, or a “loop
line,” in North Kohala. One option was similar to the power line running from mauka of Keahole
Airport to Waikoloa Village some 3000 feet mauka of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. HELCO
could install a 69kv or a 34.5 kv line between the current terminus of the HELCO system at Kohala
Ranch to the northern terminus mauka of Mähukona , similarly some 3000 feet or more above
Akoni-Pule Highway. Another option was to extend the transmission line from Kohala
Ranch/Estates to Kohala Mountain Road underground and thereafter overhead on the Mountain
Road, parallel with and on the same roadside as the existing pole line. The path to get this line
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North Kohala CDP Page 84
from the Kohala Mountain Road on the Häwï end to Akoni-Pule Highway has not been
determined. A third option, adding a line along Akoni-Pule Highway from Kawaihae to
Mähukona , is no longer seen as viable by HELCO.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The North Kohala CDP Action Committee, HELCO & the PUC
x WHAT needs to be done –
o Identify alternative corridors for all options to provide redundant electrical power
for North Kohala. Explore feasibility, cost and environmental impacts, and identify
stakeholders and provide for extensive community input.
o Also identify possible sites, explore feasibility, cost and environmental impact of
back-up generators.
o Encourage installation of solar systems for electricity and hot water through tax or
purchase credits.
o Provide information to the community and actively gather community input before
implementing any of the aforementioned options.
x WHEN will actions take place – Research on alternatives and funding sources could begin
at any time.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – HELCO to provide initial estimates.
x Intended Outcome – Kohala would have increased reliability of electrical service.
Strategy 4.8: Develop and Implement Rural Infrastructure Standards
Background
The Kohala community has expressed an interest in establishing Rural Infrastructure Standards for
the dual purpose of maintaining Kohala’s rural character and to aid in keeping costs down for
affordable housing projects. There are models of affordable underground utilities that are visually
sensitive to view planes. Desirable features of rural infrastructure would include neighborhood low
speed roads with drainage down the center of pervious pavement (preventing shoulder erosion),
runoff routed to sedimentation ponds, road design following the contours of the terrain (as
opposed to “cookie-cutter” layout), wide grass shoulders for walkways and trees, and underground
utilities (additionally advantageous in hurricanes and storms, as well as emergency relief efforts),
and low profile minimal street lighting. The Kohala community has expressed an interest in
exploring rural infrastructure alternatives and their feasibility, cost and environmental impact.
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Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – The County Planning Department and the County Department
of Public Works
x WHAT needs to be done – Develop and implement Rural Infrastructure Standards. These
standards should be sensitive to both the maintenance of Kohala’s rural character and to
future on-going maintenance costs to the County.
x WHEN will actions take place – The need for Rural Infrastructure Standards is really a
County-wide issue. Resolving and enacting Rural Infrastructure Standards will require a
special process that should be organized after the enactment of this CDP.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – The County will incur some costs for the development of Rural
Infrastructure Standards, including staff time, costs for community input meetings, and
possibly costs for special consultants.
x Intended Outcome – The establishment of Rural Infrastructure Standards will help to
maintain Kohala’s rural character and its natural visual beauty, and will aid in keeping
costs down for affordable housing projects.
Strategy 4.9: Increase Community Awareness of Healthcare Services in Kohala
Background
The Kohala Hospital is a major economic entity and employer in the North Kohala community
(over $4.5 million in revenues and 52 full-time employees), providing Acute, Skilled Nursing
Facility, Intensive Care Facility, outpatient laboratory, x-ray, EKG, and emergency room services.
Although funding to the hospital is limited (its main funding sources are its patients served and the
State government), Kohala Hospital wants to meet the current and future health needs of the
community and change the community perception of the hospital as an “old folks” home.
However, it faces many obstacles, especially staffing shortages and aging facilities.
Currently, there is a serious shortage of healthcare professionals within the community. Kohala is
served by only one clinic, with two physicians and one advanced practice nurse. Appointments
may take as long as two weeks to obtain. In order to be seen, many have to go on long waiting
lists. This has resulted in patients seeking primary care through the Hospital emergency room.
Hospital ER visits are increasing. The Hospital opened up office space to avoid patients being
seen in the hallways, a violation of patient privacy laws.
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Rehabilitation services will be ending in Kohala because of a lack of occupational and physical
therapists willing to travel to Kohala. No training of physical therapists is available in-state; those
interested in this career must go to the mainland for their education and training.
The clinic is working on recruiting physicians to work in North Kohala. Doctors, nurses and
therapists need a place to live, so this is connected to the affordable housing shortage.
The state hospital, built in 1962, is set for repair and refurbishing. Funds recently released by
Governor Lingle will be spent upgrading the bathrooms and relocating and expanding the ER. X-
ray facilities will be upgraded to digital imaging. Long range plans are being developed to build a
new hospital adjacent to the current facility.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – Kohala Hospital and the North Kohala CDP Action Committee
x WHAT needs to be done – Develop community forum to include concerned community
groups to share ideas about how the community’s healthcare needs can be better met.
x WHEN – As soon as the Action Committee is organized and functioning.
x HOW MUCH will it cost – Minimal
x Intended Outcome – To meet the healthcare needs and expectations of the North Kohala
community; to increase awareness of the current and future healthcare services Kohala
Hospital is providing or planning to provide; to increase health education and awareness
through outreach programs; to increase awareness of the role Kohala Hospital can play in
emergency preparedness.
Strategy 4.10: Improve Fire Department Facilities, Equipment and Services
Background
Several areas require improvement:
x Staffing: Kohala Fire Station is presently budgeted for five positions per platoon. There are
three platoons. Currently, it is staffed with four personnel per platoon, so there is one
vacancy per platoon. The standard complement for an engine company and a medic unit
is five persons.
x Facilities: Kohala Fire Station is a wood-frame building constructed in 1987. It was not
designed to resist hurricane winds and was built to last for ten (10) years. In the event of a
hurricane, the station would not be able to shelter the crew or equipment. A new mobile
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North Kohala CDP Page 87
medic unit is planned to be purchased, but the size of this new medic unit exceeds the
existing garage clearance. When the medic unit is shuttled to the mechanic shop for
maintenance, the temporary units do not fit in the garage so it must be parked in the
driveway. A new fire station should meet the National Fire Protection Association
Standards and withstand hurricane winds.
x Equipment: The topography of Kohala consists of mountains, streams, cliffs, valleys,
pastures, and coastline. Residents and tourists travel through all. Various types of
emergencies occur in the district, including brushfires, as well as rescues in ocean,
mountains, valleys, gulches, forests and rivers. The Fire Department has a long list of
equipment needed to assist emergency personnel to effectively perform these operations.
x Fire Prevention Infrastructure: New residential units are being constructed without a
water source for fire hydrants. Engine 15 is a 1988, 1500 gallon-per-minute pumper that
has a 1,000 gallon water tank. The nearest responding units in the event of a fire are
located in Waimea or South Kohala, which have response times of 25 to 30 minutes. It is
essential to include fire hydrants in developing infrastructure. There are also structures that
are built in open land that have driveways overgrown with brush. Safety to the emergency
personnel and equipment to proceed to structures through these access roads may be
compromised in the event of a fire which threatens life and property.
x Shelters: There is a need to identify, supply and maintain shelters within the district in the
event of major disasters.
x Water Flow: The water supply system needs to be improved throughout the district,
including water mains and hydrants, emergency backup pumps, and a major disaster
emergency plan in the event of a total water system failure.
x Wildfire Prevention: Leeward Kohala has all the natural elements for wildfires. It is
possible that during extreme fire conditions, fire fighters, equipment, and water supplies
could easily become over-extended and depleted.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – Hawaici County DWS, Hawaici County Fire Department, Hawaici
County Planning Department, Civil Defense
x WHAT needs to be done --
o Fully staff North Kohala Fire Station
o Build new fire station to nationally recommended specifications
o Fully equip emergency personnel
o Require adequate water supply in new developments that meet fire code supply
requirements for access and water supply
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o Support development of proactive, wildfire mitigation and prevention plan criteria.
x WHEN will actions take place – at the next County Council/Mayor’s Office budget session
x HOW MUCH will it cost – Not determined.
x Intended Outcome – Improved fire protection for North Kohala.
Strategy 4.11: Improve Police Department Facilities, Equipment and Services
Background
The 2006 earthquake reminded residents of just how isolated the North Kohala District is and how
necessary it is for all to be prepared for emergencies. The North Kohala Police Station, a relatively
new concrete block structure, plays an integral role in emergency preparedness and law
enforcement.
x Manpower: North Kohala currently has three “watches” (every day, 24 hours a day) with
at least two officers on duty at all times. Currently, the Captain’s position is vacant. An
additional Sergeant position would give more administrative and supervisory coverage
than currently available. One challenge to retaining Officers is the lack of affordable
housing in the district, which leads to a “revolving door” situation as Officers cannot live
here but must commute from other districts.
x Police Facilities: While relatively modern, the North Kohala Station will need to expand at
the current or another location. There are inadequate cell blocks for holding detainees.
Also, there is no storage yard for impounded motor vehicles during investigations. All
vehicles must be transported to the Kona Station, which is costly for the moves as well as
for the Kohala Investigators.
x Problem Communication Areas: While the Hawaici County Police Department as a whole
has an excellent Island-wide Police Communications Network, the North Kohala District
has many “dead spots,” especially in high crime areas such as Pololü Lookout. While
Police Cruisers have car-to-car communications abilities, a satellite phone would be of
great assistance.
Action Steps
x WHO will take the lead – Hawaici County Police Department with support from Finance
Department and County Council
x WHAT needs to be done –
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o Increased funding for additional Officers for the North Kohala Station, including
another Sergeant’s position.
o Assist Officers assigned to the district with housing needs.
o Plan for modernization and expansion of existing facilities.
o Locate area for impounded motor vehicles storage and implement a secure yard for
that purpose.
o Provide enhanced Police communications, especially for high crime areas such as
Pololü Valley Lookout.
x WHEN will action take place – at the next County Council/Mayor’s Office budget session
x HOW MUCH will it cost – To be determined.
x Intended Outcome – Improved law enforcement for the district.
4.12 Long-term Strategies
4.12a: Support repairs and maintenance of existing and future agricultural water
transmission and distribution systems to meet agricultural needs
Background
Kohala’s agricultural water systems provided the majority of water for sugarcane production during
Kohala’s plantation years. Since the closing of the sugar plantations in the 1970s, these systems
have been used for irrigating diversified agriculture farms in the area.
The earthquake that hit the Big Island in October 2006 badly damaged these systems, which has
severely impacted many farmers.
Overall, residents acknowledge that these systems are an important resource to their community,
and are essential to keeping the future of agriculture in Kohala alive by providing low-cost,
plentiful irrigation water. As such, they want the repairs completed and irrigation water again
made available for agricultural users.
4.12b: Support adequate, affordable and visually appealing infrastructure for affordable
housing.
Background
The community supports adequate, visually sensitive and affordable infrastructure for affordable
housing projects. One of the main concerns for North Kohala affordable housing projects is water.
The Department of Water Supply has stated that although the current water availability allows only
one water meter per lot of record (enough for one single family residence), more water could be
made available for affordable housing projects, especially if the Mayor requests it.
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4.12c: Support enhancement of Educational Facilities and Programs for the District
Background
Supporting improvements to educational facilities and programs continues to stand as a top
priority of the community. With the exception of Private, Charter and on-line facilities, education
in Kohala has been the charge of the State of Hawai`i’s Department of Education. Nonetheless,
the CDP recognizes the need for Hawai`i County to join in supporting enhancement of
educational opportunities for all Kohala’s students regardless of age. To that end, the CDP
recommends that, at a minimum, any land use applications for expansion or creation of
educational facilities in the North Kohala District be considered favorably as long as the proposal
will not adversely impact nearby land owners or significantly diminish Kohala’s great natural
beauty. For the same reasons and with the same conditions, enhancement of Educational
Outreach Programs for the community should also be supported by Hawai`i County whenever
feasible.
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5. CDP IMPLEMENTATION
Throughout the process of developing this and other Community Development Plans, there has
been much discussion by both the communities and the County about the need for follow-up to
ensure implementation of these plans. Two of the necessary components that have emerged are:
(1) guidelines for financing the CDP projects and programs, and (2) the creation of an entity to
coordinate implementation. This chapter includes “Financing Guidelines,” which lists possible
funding sources and summarizes the funding needs from the North Kohala CDP, and a section
entitled “Action Committee.” “CDP Action Committee” is the proposed name of the community-
based entity that will continue the work begun by the Steering Committee, and work with the
County to oversee implementation of the CDP. This section includes the North Kohala
community’s recommendations for the organizational structure, membership, and duties of the
CDP Action Committee. However, a County ordinance is currently being considered, which if
approved, will codify the majority of these aspects. Lastly, there is an Implementation Matrix,
which provides a list of the actions to be taken in order to implement the North Kohala CDP.
5.1 FINANCING GUIDELINES
5.1.1 POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES FOR COUNTY PROJECTS
The following list includes possible funding sources for County projects. It is important to note
that there are some projects supported by this CDP that are not eligible for County funding, such
as the construction of new cell phone towers in the area. Those projects will have to be funded by
private sources.
a. General fund current revenues
b. General obligation bonds
c. Revenue bonds
d. Land-secured financing (improvement districts, community facilities districts)
e. Business improvement districts (services and facilities)
f. Development fees (e.g., DWS facilities charges)
g. User fees
h. Impact fees (examine the potential uses of this source if an impact fee ordinance has
not been adopted)
i. Tax-increment financing, and/or other means to earmark portions of property tax
revenues generated from the planning area for specific improvements or services;
j. Grants and donations
k. Reimbursement programs (formal mechanisms to reimburse initial developers or
public agencies for upfront funding).
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North Kohala CDP Page 93
5.1.2 FUNDING LISTS
The following is a compilation of the programs and capital improvement projects from Chapter 4
of the North Kohala CDP. They are not prioritized. (Note: not all programs and projects listed
here are eligible for County funding.)
Programs
-Establish the NK CDP Action Committee
-Establish Community Cultural Programs
-Establish Agricultural Education Programs
-CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training Program
-Increase awareness of healthcare services and increase health education
-Support development and implementation of pro-active wildfire mitigation and prevention
plan criteria
-Develop Rural Infrastructure Standards
-Public Access Programs
-Affordable Housing Programs
Capital Improvements, Equipment, and Departmental Staff
-Ka‘auhuhu Transfer Station
o Repair
o Replace
-Parks
o Improvements to:
Këökea Beach Park
Kamehameha Park Complex
Kapa‘a Beach Park
Mähukona Beach Park
o Further studies for a public boat ramp
-Communication Systems
o Improvements to radio, cell, and internet services
o Large lighted signs for emergency communications
-Potable Water System
o Repair or replace aging water lines
o Construct a new well in Hala‘ula
o Bring a new well online at Makapala
o Build and/or replace three enclosed reservoirs in the district
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-Roads
o Determine ownership of Pratt Road and feasibility of opening it as an emergency
bypass route
o Identify emergency bypass routes from Hala‘ula to Pololü
-Electrical Service
o Increase reliability of electrical service to North Kohala
-Healthcare
o Improve healthcare services
-Fire Department
o Fully staff NK Fire Station
o Build new fire station to nationally recommended specifications
o Fully equip emergency personnel
-Police Department
o Additional officers for the NK Station
o Locate area for impounded motor vehicles storage
o Provide enhanced Police communications
-Agricultural Water Transmission
o Repair various transmission systems
-Educational Facilities
o Enhance educational facilities
5.2 ACTION COMMITTEE
5.2.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of establishing the North Kohala CDP Action Committee is to create a body that will
supersede the NK CDP Steering Committee upon adoption of the NK Community Development
Plan by the County Council. Administered by the Planning Department, the CDP Action
Committee is to be a pro-active, community-based steward of the plan’s implementation and
update. The structure, membership, and duties will be determined by a County ordinance. A draft
of that ordinance is included in Appendix D. Below is a summary of the ideas from the North
Kohala community on how the committee should be formed and how it should function.
5.2.2 STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP
(a) The CDP Action Committee should consist of 9 (nine) members.
(b) Members should be recommended by the community.
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North Kohala CDP Page 95
(c) Over the next several years, develop a process for selecting one member from each of
the 9 (nine) “districts” or “kalanas” of North Kohala.
(d) Prior service as a member of the steering committee should not disqualify an individual
from serving on the CDP Action Committee.
5.2.3 DUTIES
(a) Provide ongoing guidance and advocacy to advance implementation of the CDP goals,
policies, strategies, and actions;
(b) Broaden community awareness of the CDP;
(c) Create subcommittees, as appropriate, to implement CDP policies and actions;
(d) Build partnerships, as appropriate, with governmental and other organizations to
implement CDP policies and actions;
(e) Provide timely recommendations to the County on priorities relating to the County
operational budget and the CIP budget and program;
(f) Receive periodic briefings from the Planning Department on all major proposed (and
recently approved) projects, developments, and land use decisions involving property
located within the planning area, and on other issues related to the CDP;
(g) Review and make recommendations on all major proposed projects, developments,
and land use decisions within the planning area, to the entity with the decision-making
power;
(h) Receive briefings from other County agencies, as requested, on priority actions
identified in the CDP;
(i) Monitor the progress and effectiveness of the CDP;
(j) Review and make recommendations on amendments to the CDP;
(k) Serve as the steering committee, as set forth in the General Plan, in any comprehensive
update of the CDP;
(l) Provide recommendations to amend the General Plan;
(m) Develop and implement an educational/training program for current and prospective
Action Committee members, in order to strengthen CDP implementation.
(n) Carry out other duties as needed;
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North Kohala CDP Page 96
5.3 IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX
The Implementation Matrix provides a list of what actions need to be taken to implement the
North Kohala CDP, along with who should do the implementing, and approximately how much it
will cost. The following acronyms and abbreviations are used in the Implementation Matrix:
CD Civil Defense
COE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
DEM County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management
DPW County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works
DWS County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply
HELCO Hawai‘i Electric Light Company
NK CDP North Kohala Community Development Plan
PUC Public Utilities Commission
R&D County of Hawai‘i Department of Research & Development
Chapter 5 CDP Implementation
North Kohala CDP Page 97
IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX
No.Action/Strategy Page
No.Implementers Estimated Cost
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
1.1
Establish the North Kohala CDP Action
Committee to oversee implementation
of the CDP Vision and Action Programs 26
The County Planning
Department
$200,000 to
$300,000 per year
1.2
Acquire coastal lands that should be
preserved as open space 28
Public Access, Open
Space and Natural
Resources Preservation
Commission
To be determined
through appraisals
and negotiations
1.3
Down-zone identified State-owned
parcels that have special cultural
and/or scenic value 31
The County Planning
Department & County
Council Minimal
1.4
Promote and support a community of
diversified agriculture 33
The NK CDP Action
Committee
Minimal to begin.
May eventually seek
funding to hire staff or
maintain an office.
1.5 Establish community cultural programs 34
The NK CDP Action
Committee Minimal
1.6
Implement Policy of Cultural and
Historical Preservation 35
The NK CDP Action
Committee & Consultant
Administrative costs
for County and
Consultant
1.7
Establish Agricultural Education
Programs 35
NK CDP Action
Committee & R&D Undetermined
1.8
Participate in the identification of
Important Agricultural Lands as
established by Chapter 205-47, Hawaii
Revised Statutes to ensure that
appropriate lands are identified and
protected 36
The NK CDP Action
Committee
Administrative costs
for County and
Consultant
1.9
Establish a View Plane Protection
Program to identify and protect areas of
significant beauty along the Kohala
Mountain Road and Akoni-Pule
Highway corridor 37
NK CDP Action
Committee Minimal
PUBLIC ACCESS
2.1
Provide for substantive community
input to the County Planning
Department and the County Council in
order to finalize and accept priority
shoreline access easements 40
The NK CDP Action
Committee Undetermined
2.2
Assign responsibility and authority for
the construction, management and
maintenance of public access
easements, paths, and roads that fall
under the County’s responsibility to a
specific County Department, together
with adequate funding 43
The Mayor’s Office and
the County Planning
Department
$50,000 to $100,000
for the first year.
Once a specific
County person begins
their responsibilities,
annual costs will be
more substantial.
Chapter 5 CDP Implementation
North Kohala CDP Page 98
No.Action/Strategy Page
No.Implementers Estimated Cost
2.3
Revise and improve Chapter 34 of the
Hawai‘i County Code, dealing with
“PUBLIC ACCESS,” and Planning Dept
“Rule 21 – Relating to Public Access:
Usage;” in specific ways
recommended by the Access Focus
Group and the NK CDP Action
Committee 44
The NK CDP Action
Committee Minimal
2.4
Encourage increased cooperation and
coordination among federal, state, and
county agencies and departments
regarding public access to coastal and
mauka lands 45
The NK CDP Action
Committee Minimal
2.5
Encourage and increase cooperation
and coordination between the
community and private land owners
regarding public access to coastal and
mauka lands. 46
The NK CDP Action
Committee Minimal
2.6
Implement a long-range plan for
achieving adequate public access to
both coastal areas and to the
mountains, as part of the North Kohala
Community Development Plan 47
The NK CDP Action
Committee Undetermined
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
3.1
‘Ohana Housing Units and additional
Farm Dwellings 61
The County Planning
Department Undetermined
3.2
Self Help Housing Strategy – Establish
an ongoing Self-Help Housing
Construction Program for North Kohala
that will provide 10 to 20 homes per
year for at least the next 10 years 62
The NK CDP Action
Committee
$250,000 to
$320,000 for self-help
homes in a new
subdivision, and
$320,000 to
$370,000 for self-help
homes built on
market-priced lots.
3.3
Create a non-profit housing
development corporation or similar
community-based entity for North
Kohala that will develop affordable for-
sale and rental housing to meet the
needs of the North Kohala community 65
The NK CDP Action
Committee
$250,000 to
$300,000 for a new
1,100 sf home on a
7,500 sf lot.
$600 to $800 per
month for a 400 sf1-
bdrm rental apt.
3.4
For specific housing projects, pre-empt
certain County subdivision and
infrastructure standards and
requirements in order to lower
residential subdivision costs, thereby
providing for more affordable rural
housing 68
The NK CDP Action
Committee Undetermined
Chapter 5 CDP Implementation
North Kohala CDP Page 99
No.Action/Strategy Page
No.Implementers Estimated Cost
INFRASTRUCTURE
4.1
Repair and Replace the Solid Waste
Transfer Station 71 DEM
Repairs = $300,000.
New Neighborhood
Recycling Center = $3
to $4 Million
4.2
Improve Parks (restrooms, gym &
public boat ramp) 73
The NK CDP Action
Committee, Dept of
Parks & Rec, & COE Undetermined
4.3
Improve Communication Systems
(radio, cell, internet) 74
FCC & various cell
phone providers
FM radio station =
$30,000 to build, and
$15,000 to $25,000
per year to run.
4.4
Improve Emergency Preparedness and
Response 75
The NK CDP Action
Committee & Civil
Defense (CD)
Cost of CERT is
covered by CD;
Large lighted signs –
$35,000 to $40,000
4.5 Improve Potable Water System 77 DWS $4 to $5 Million
4.6
Improve Existing Roadway Systems
and Create Emergency Bypass Roads 78
The NK CDP Action
Committee Undetermined
4.7
Improve Reliability of Electrical Service
in North Kohala 81
The NK CDP Action
Committee, HELCO &
PUC Undetermined
4.8
Develop and Implement Rural
Infrastructure Standards 83
The Planning
Department & DPW
County staff time and
possibly special
consultants
4.9
Increase Community Awareness of
Healthcare Services in Kohala 84
The NK CDP Action
Committee & Kohala
Hospital Minimal
4.10
Improve Fire Department Facilities,
Equipment and Services
85
DWS, Fire Dept,
Planning Dept, & Civil
Defense Undetermined
4.11
Improve Police Department Facilities,
Equipment and Services 87
County Police Dept &
Finance Dept Undetermined
4.12
4.12a: Support repair and
maintenance of existing agricultural
water transmission and distribution
systems to meet agricultural needs
4.12b: Support adequate and
affordable infrastructure for affordable
housing
4.12c: Support enhancement of
Educational Facilities and Programs for
the District 88
The NK CDP Action
Committee Undetermined
Chapter 6 Monitoring Plan
North Kohala CDP Page 100
6. MONITORING PLAN
This chapter is intended to provide the basis for monitoring the effectiveness and progress of the
implementation of this CDP. The NK CDP Action Committee may wish to revise and/or add to
this Monitoring Plan as they get established and begin implementation. The monitoring is based
on “indicators,” which are divided into five sections: one for general trends, and one for each of
the four over-arching goals of the CDP. These indicators should serve as an annual information
resource to provide a snapshot of current community conditions and trends based on selected
quantitative data gathered from a variety of sources.
The indicators were selected based on the following factors:
x They are relevant. They tell us something basic and fundamental relating to the long term
cultural, environmental, economic or social health of the community.
x They reflect community values. The crucial role of an indicator is to reflect the values that
resonate with the citizens of Kohala.
x They are statistically measurable. Data exist or can be developed that is relevant to the
geographic area.
x They are reliable. One must be able to trust what the indicator shows and preferably
indicators can be measured over time so that comparable data is available and can be
tracked.
The report card should be published annually based on the following general rankings:
+ Good trend or progress
¥ No change or holding steady
Ò Bad trend or no action
General Demographic Indicators – a “Snapshot” of Kohala
The first are general trend indicators, which will provide a demographic snapshot of the Kohala
community.
1. Indicator:Population growth trend for North Kohala and relative to the County
x Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, County building permits records
2. Indicator:Ratio of full time residents to part time residents
x Data source: State Department of Taxation
Chapter 6 Monitoring Plan
North Kohala CDP Page 101
3. Indicator:Ethnic diversity
x Data source: U.S. Census Bureau and County Department of Research &
Development.
GOAL #1 – GROWTH MANAGEMENT: DIRECT NORTH KOHALA’S GROWTH TO AREAS
WITHIN AND NEAR EXISTING TOWN CENTERS IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE DISTRICT’S
OPEN SPACE AND CULTURAL RESOURCES; AND TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE.
1. Indicator:Number of acres of federal, state, county, and privately-owned open space that
are permanently protected for conservation.
x Data source: State Department of Land & Natural Resources Land Division and
Land Use Commission, State Department of Business, Economic Development, &
Tourism, and County Planning Department
2. Indicator:Number of recommendations on land use decisions given by the NK CDP
Action Committee to decision-making bodies
x Data source: NK CDP Action Committee
3. Indicator: Number of land use decisions that were in agreement with the
recommendations given by the Action Committee
x Data source: NK CDP Action Committee
4. Indicator:Number of conservation easements (and acreage) for critical coastal areas in
Kohala purchased by the County of Hawai‘i Public Access, Open Space and Natural
Resources Preservation Commission
x Data source: County of Hawai‘i Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources
Preservation Commission
5. Indicator:Number of State-owned parcels (and acreage) with important cultural and/or
scenic resources that were down-zoned to prevent development
x Data source: County of Hawai‘i Planning Department
6. Indicator:Total amount of GET (General Excise Tax) paid on local agricultural production
x Data source: State Department of Agriculture
7.Indicator: Acreage of North Kohala land zoned farmland
x Data source: Initiate GIS layer for Ag use based on property tax and inventory
system for permanent open space. State Department of Land & Natural Resources
Land Division, State Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism,
and County Planning Department, County Real Property Tax & Assessment Office
Chapter 6 Monitoring Plan
North Kohala CDP Page 102
8. Indicator:Number of community cultural events held
x Data source: NK CDP Action Committee
9. Indicator:Number of cultural resources, including sites and trails, protected by
management plans/easements or other tools
x Data source: County Open Space Network, County Planning Department, State
Historic Preservation Division, Hawai‘i County Cultural Resources Commission
10. Indicator:Number of students enrolled in agricultural education programs
x Data source: NK CDP Action Committee
GOAL #2 – ACCESS: TO PROVIDE FOR COMMUNITY ACCESS TO MAUKA AND MAKAI
RESOURCES.
1. Indicator:Number of coastal lateral access easements that are finalized (from Pololü to
Kawaihae)
x Data source: NK CDP Action Committee
2. Indicator:Number of mauka-makai access easements that are finalized
x Data source: NK CDP Action Committee
3. Indicator: Amount of dollars spent on construction, management, and/or maintenance of
public access easements, paths, and roads that fall under the County’s responsibility
x Data source: NK CDP Action Committee
GOAL #3 – AFFORDABLE HOUSING: TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE
DISTRICT’S RESIDENTS.
1. Indicator:Number of new affordable housing units built
x Data source: County Office of Housing and Community Development, Hawai‘i
Housing Finance and Development Corporation
GOAL #4 – INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES: TO UPDATE KOHALA’S
INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS THAT ARE AGING OR IN DISREPAIR, AND PROVIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, AND SERVICES THAT ADEQUATELY SERVE THE
COMMUNITY ON AN ON-GOING BASIS, AND ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY.
1. Indicator:Number of sites selected for new public facilities
x Data source: County Department of Public Works, County Department of Parks &
Recreation, County Department of Planning
Chapter 6 Monitoring Plan
North Kohala CDP Page 103
2. Indicator:Recommended minimum standards for public services, fire and police are met
x Data source: County Mayor’s Office, County Fire Department, County Police
Department
3. Indicator:Number of Infrastructure and Public Facilities Strategies from Chapter 4 of this
document that were completed, or had some action taken
x Data source: NK Action Committee
Chapter 7 References
North Kohala CDP Page 104
7. REFERENCES
County of Hawai‘i. 2007. 2006 County of Hawai‘i Data Book.
County of Hawai‘i. February 2005.County of Hawai‘i General Plan.
County of Hawai‘i. November 1992. Northwest Hawai‘i Open Space and Community
Development Plan.
County of Hawai‘i.Zoning Code. http://co.hawaii.hi.us/countycode/chapter25.pdf
Fukunaga and Associates, Inc. December 2006. Hawai‘i County Water Use and Development
Plan Update Draft Report. County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply.
Hawai‘i County Resource Center. 2008. “Community Voices” North Kohala CDP Community
Readiness Program (CRP) Summary.
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Office of
Planning. 2007. Hawai‘i Statewide GIS Program. http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/gis
Schweitzer, Sophia V. 2003. Kohala ‘Äina, A History of North Kohala. Mutual Publishing,
Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Census 2000. http://www.census.gov
Chapter 7 References
North Kohala CDP Page 105
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APPENDIX A – LIST OF FOCUS GROUP MEMBERS
Access
Sarah Frances Bumbard
Joe Carvalho
Marcia Carvalho
Harry Ching
Marlene Ching
Patsy Ching
Ralph Galan
Margie Geiger
Mike Gomes (ex-SC)
June Gomes
Mark Grandoni
Mike Isaacs (SC)
Hinano Lewis
Nancine Lloyd
Ted Matsuda (SC)
Robin Mullin
Lucy Pasco
Michelle Rae
Jim Sargent
Kelly Victorino
Kanoa Withington
Toni Withington
Growth Management
Burt "Daz" Alpert
Gail Byrne
Jim Channon
Henry Dulan (SC)
David Fuertes (SC)
Mark Grandoni
Mike Isaacs (SC)
Joseph "Kimo" Jordan
Nancine Lloyd
Kanoa Withington
Toni Withington
(SC) = Steering Committee Member
Affordable Housing
Jim Allen
Gail Byrne
Jim Channon
Dee Chapon
Elaine Christianson
Nelson Denman
Hermann Fernandez
Andi Longpre
Bill Kaye
Lakme Nishie
Stephen Norris (ex-SC)
Coert Olmsted
Beth Robinson
Terra Sutton
Crystal West (ex-SC)
Donna Worden
Infrastructure
Nelson Denman
Paul Fischer
Susan Fischer
Mike Gomes (ex-SC)
Carolyn Lancaster (SC)
Mike Luce
Bob Martin (SC)
Bobi Moreno
Robert Morrison
Donna Oba
Lisa Ricketts
Bill Shontell
Brighid Snowdon
Sadie Young
APPENDIX B – AFFORDABLE HOUSING SURVEY
North Kohala Community Development Plan
COMMUNITY SURVEY ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The North Kohala Community is working with the Hawaii County Planning Department to develop a long-range “COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PLAN” (CDP). The CDP will guide land use for North Kohala for the next 20+ years. Community meetings have
identified affordable housing as one of North Kohala’s most critical needs. This survey form is being distributed throughout North
Kohala community. The survey results will help the CDP Team to develop a responsive plan for affordable housing.
Note: The CDP consultant will collate and analyze responses to this survey, but no responses will be identified with a
particular person or persons; your responses will be treated as “anonymous.”
1. What part of North Kohala do you live in?
2. How many years have you lived in North Kohala?
3. Do you rent or own your home?
Rent
Own
4. What is your monthly payment for your mortgage loan or for your rent?
Less than $500 $1,000 to $1,250
$500 to $750 $1,250 to $1,500
$750 to $1,000 More than $1,500
5. What is your family’s (you and your spouse) gross annual income?
Less than $20,000 $50,000 to $65,000
$20,000 to $35,000 $65,000 to $80,000
$35,000 to $50,000 More than $80,000
6. How many people are there in your household? people
7. How many other people live in your house, other than you and your immediate family?
(Please indicate the number of each type of person(s) that live with you and your family.)
Single adult Couple with or without children
Senior citizen Single parent with children
If you or other members living in your house are in need of affordable housing, please answer Questions 8 through 12
below. Otherwise, go to Question 14.)
8. Are you or any other member(s) of your household in need of affordable housing?
You: Yes No
Other members: Yes No
9. What is the annual gross income of the household member(s) that need affordable housing?
YOU (incl. spouse) OTHER MEMBERS
Less than $20,000 Less than $20,000
$20,000 to $35,000 $20,000 to $35,000
$35,000 to $50,000 $35,000 to $50,000
$50,000 to $65,000 $50,000 to $65,000
$65,000 to $80,000 $65,000 to $80,000
More than $80,000 More than $80,000
10. How much can the person(s) that need affordable housing afford to pay for monthly mortgage or rent
payments?
YOU (incl. spouse) OTHER MEMBERS
Less than $500 Less than $500
$500 to $750 $500 to $750
$750 to $1,000 $750 to $1,000
$1,000 to $1,250 $1,000 to $1,250
$1,250 to $1,500 $1,250 to $1,500
More than $1,500 More than $1,500
11. How many bedrooms do they need?
YOU OTHER MEMBERS
1 bedroom 1 bedroom
2 bedrooms 2 bedrooms
3 bedrooms 3 bedrooms
4 bedrooms 4 bedrooms
5 bedrooms 5 bedrooms
12. What price house could the person(s) afford to buy?
YOU OTHER MEMBERS
Below $150,000 Below $150,000
$150,000 to $250,000 $150,000 to $250,000
$250,000 to $350,000 $250,000 to $350,000
$350,000 to $450,000 $350,000 to $450,000
More than $450,000 More than $450,000
13. Has the person(s) that need affordable housing tried to find an affordable house in North Kohala? If yes, how
long have they been looking?
Yes less than 3 months
No 3 to 6 months
6 months or more
14. For North Kohala, what is the highest price range that you would consider to be “affordable” for a home?
Less than $150,000 $250,000 to $300,000
$150,000 to $200,000 $300,000 to $350,000
$200,000 to $250,000 $350,000 to $400,000
15. General question: in the North Kohala community, what age group(s) do you think have the greatest need for
affordable housing?
16. Please share with us any other thoughts that you may have on affordable housing needs in North Kohala, and
how these needs can be met.
Please email, fax, or mail your completed survey form NO LATER THAN JANUARY 20, 2008 to:
BRUCE TSUCHIDA, TOWNSCAPE, INC.
900 FORT STREET MALL, SUITE 1160
HONOLULU, HI 96813 email: bruce@townscapeinc.com fax: 808-524-4998
APPENDIX C – DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 16, HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983,
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND
ESTABLISHING THE CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I STATE OF HAWAI‘I
BILL NO.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 16, HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, AS
AMENDED), ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PLANS AND ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (CDP) ACTION
COMMITTEE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purposes of this ordinance are: 1) to establish a framework to adopt and
amend the Community Development Plans and 2) to establish the Community Development Plan (CDP)
Action Committee as the body that supercedes the CDP Steering Committee upon adoption of a community
development plan by the County Council.
SECTION 2. Chapter 16, Hawai’i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), is amended by
grouping the existing sections relating to the General Plan into an article to read as follows:
“Article 1. General Plan
Section 16-1. The County of Hawai‘i general plan.
(a) That certain planning code known and designated as “County of Hawai‘i general plan,” as adopted on
December 5, 1971, by the council of the County of Hawai‘i, is hereby adopted by reference, subject to
later amendments by ordinance, and may be cited as the “general plan.”*
(b) A copy of the general plan and amendments shall be available for public inspection at the planning
department.”
SECTION 3.Chapter 16, Hawai’i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), is amended by
adding a new article to read as follows:
“Article 2. Community Development Plans
Section 16-2. Adoption of community development plans. The community development plans listed below are
adopted and incorporated by reference. A copy of the plans and amendments shall be available for public inspection at
the planning department.
(a) [reserved]
(b) [reserved]
Section 16-3. Amendment. A comprehensive review of the community development plans shall occur on the
same timetable as the General Plan. The same procedures for a General Plan comprehensive review shall apply to the
community development plans. Interim amendments to the community development plans shall follow the same
procedures as the General Plan.
SECTION 4. Chapter 16, Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), is amended by
adding a new article called “CDP Action Committee” to read as follows:
“Article 3. CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Section 16-4. Purpose. The Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee supercedes the CDP Steering
Committee upon adoption of a community development plan. Administered and staffed by the planning department, the
purpose of the CDP Action Committee is to be a proactive, community-based steward of the plan’s implementation and
update.
Section 16-5. Membership and Rules of Procedure.
(e) The CDP Action Committee shall consist of 9 (nine) members. All members shall be permanent residents
of the area covered by the CDP. The members shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the
County Council. Prior service as a member of the steering committee shall not disqualify an individual
from serving on the CDP Action Committee.
(f) The members shall serve staggered terms of four years. Upon the initial appointment of the committee,
two shall serve for a term of one year, two for a term of two years, two for a term of three years, and three
for a term of three years. When the term of a member expires, the member shall continue to serve until a
successor is appointed. Members whose terms expire may not be reappointed for at least two years,
however, members appointed for one year or less may be reappointed for an additional term without the
passage of two years' time.
(g) The membership should reflect a broad cross-section of the community. The community development
plan may specify more detailed selection criteria consistent with this objective.
(h) A chairperson shall be elected from its membership annually.
(i) Each CDP Action Committee may establish rules of procedure necessary for the conduct of its business,
which rules shall contain at a minimum the time and place of all regular meetings, that regular meetings
shall occur no more frequently than once a month, that a quorum shall be a majority of the members to
which the body is entitled, and that the affirmative vote of a majority of those present (assuming a
quorum) shall be sufficient to make any action valid.
(j) Except as provided for in this section, the committee shall be governed by the County Charter, section 13-
4.
Section 16-6. Duties and responsibilities.
(o) Provide ongoing guidance and advocacy to advance implementation of the CDP goals, objectives, policies,
and actions;
(p) Broaden community awareness of the CDP;
(q) Build partnerships, as appropriate, with governmental and community-based organizations to implement
CDP policies and actions;
(r) Provide timely recommendations to the county on priorities relating to the county operational budget and
the CIP budget and program;
(s) Receive periodic briefings from the planning department on pending and approved permit applications
involving property located within the planning area, and on other issues related to the CDP;
(t) Receive briefings from other county agencies, as requested, on priority actions identified in the CDP,
which briefings may be integrated and consolidated by the mayor’s office or the planning department into
a plan of action for the forthcoming year and a status report on the current year’s plan of action;
(u) Monitor the progress and effectiveness of the CDP including the need for CDP revisions based on
emerging statewide plans, new technologies, innovative ideas, or changing conditions;
(v) Review and make recommendations on interim amendments to the CDP;
(w) Serve as the steering committee, as set forth in the General Plan, in any comprehensive update of the CDP;
(x) Provide recommendations to amend the General Plan;
(y) Carry out other duties specified in the CDP.”
SECTION 3. Material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New material is underscored. In
printing this ordinance, the brackets, bracketed material, and underscoring need not be included.
SECTION 4. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the ordinance
that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this
ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
____________________________________
PETE HOFFMANN, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
____________, Hawai‘i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
APPENDIX D – GENERAL PLAN “COURSES OF ACTION” FOR THE DISTRICT OF NORTH
KOHALA
The County of Hawai‘i General Plan (2005) is the policy document for the long range comprehensive
development of the island of Hawai‘i. Community Development Plans (CDPs) are intended to translate the
broad General Plan statements to specific actions as they apply to specific geographical areas. This appendix
includes the “Courses of Action” that the General Plan specifies for the district of North Kohala.
Economic
(a)Aid in the expansion of agriculture through the protection of important agricultural lands.
(b)Resort facilities compatible with the physical, social and economic goals of the residents of the
district should be considered.
(c)Encourage the establishment of an open farmer’s market in North Kohala.
(d)Assist in the formulation and implementation of education and manpower training programs to
strengthen the overall skill level of the local residents to compete in existing and emerging
sustainable and environmentally sound industries and businesses.
(e)Work with communities and residents (community groups and organizations) to identify and
develop potential cottage industries and provide flexibility in land use to accommodate these
potential cottage industries.
(f)Support efforts to promote small business development that is consistent with the rural, agricultural,
and historic character of the area.
(g)Assist the communities and residents in diversifying the economic base in ways that are consistent
with the rural, agricultural, and historic character of North Kohala.
Flooding and Other Natural Hazards
(a)The Hawaii County "Drainage Master Plan" for the Häwï and Honomakau-Kapaau areas shall be
updated and implemented.
Historic Sites
(a)Coordinate with the communities and residents of North Kohala to identify historic sites and buildings
for protection and preservation.
(b)Encourage the preservation of historic buildings and promote new development that matches the style
of historic commercial buildings in the area.
(c)Recognize the natural beauty and history of the area as a major economic and social asset to be
protected and perpetuated as part of the uniqueness of the island.
Housing
(a)Require developments that create a demand for employee housing provide for that need.
(b)Aid and encourage programs to rehabilitate and replace the existing housing inventory, including
consideration for self-help programs.
Public Facilities - Education
(a)Encourage the expansion of the public school and library facilities as needs arise.
(b)Encourage the Hawaii State Library System to establish a public library separate from the school
facility.
(c)Encourage continual improvements to existing educational facilities.
Public Facilities – Protective Services
(a)Service facilities shall be improved to meet needs.
Public Facilities – Government Operations
(a)Expand/improve facilities as necessary.
Public Facilities – Health and Sanitation
(a)Maintenance of the cemeteries shall be improved.
Public Utilities – Water
(a)Pursue a ground water source for the Makapala-Keokea water system.
(b)Explore further sources for future needs.
(c)Improve and replace inadequate distribution mains and storage facilities.
(d)Encourage efforts to improve the Kohala ditch system and its use for agricultural purposes.
Recreation
(a)Expand facilities at Kapaa Beach Park.
(b)Encourage the State to further develop the Lapakahi complex as a historic park.
(c)Recommend the expansion of small boat harbor facilities at Mahukona Harbor.
(d)Expand the multi-use recreation areas at Mahukona and Kapaa Beach Parks.
(e)Encourage the State to dedicate approximately 12 acres of its lands surrounding Mahukona Beach Park
to the County to accommodate the expansion of Mahukona Beach Park.
(f)Encourage the development of the Upolu Point area for recreation, including access to fishing areas.
Transportation – Roadways
(a)Encourage the improvement of the Kohala Mountain Road.
(b)Encourage the improvement of that portion of the Akoni Pule Highway between the towns of Häwï to
Niulii.
(c)Improve mauka-makai county maintained homestead roads and encourage improvement of the non-
county owned roads by the State of Hawaii or private subdivisions.
Transportation – Transportation Terminals: Airports & Harbors
(a)Retain Upolu airfield for general aviation use.
(b)The State should continue to provide improvements to runway and terminal facilities at Upolu Airport,
including the improvement of the airport’s access road from the Akoni Pule Highway.
Land Use – Agriculture
(a)Encourage the maintenance and more intensive utilization of the Kohala Ditch irrigation system for
agricultural production.
(b)Support the development of private and State agricultural parks as a means of making agricultural land
available for commercial agricultural activities.
(c)In reviewing Special Permit applications, rezonings, and other land use changes in the Agricultural
District, great care should be given to preserve existing viewplanes to and along the coastline.
Land Use – Commercial Development
(a)The development of a commercial core within the towns of Häwï or Kapaau shall be encouraged.
(b)Continual improvement of commercial facilities shall be undertaken.
(c)Develop and encourage the use of special design districts in Häwï and Kapaau that include guidelines
to preserve, protect and enhance the rural and historic qualities of the commercial areas.
(d)Do not allow strip or spot commercial development on the highway outside of the designated urban
areas.
Land Use – Industrial
(a)Identify sites suitable for future industrial activity as the need arises.
(b)Service oriented Limited Industrial and/or Industrial-Commercial uses may be permitted in the Häwï
area although the area is not currently identified on the LUPAG map.
Land Use – Multiple Residential
(a)Appropriately zoned lands shall be allocated as the need for multiple residential development
increases.
Land Use – Single-Family Residential
(a)Aid and encourage major land owners to make available residential lands in the area for employee
housing and the private market.
Land Use – Resort
(a) Encourage the development of small family type hotels and bed and breakfast establishments.
(b)Consider small-scale retreat resort development that is consistent with the rural character and cultural
lifestyle of the district.