HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-11 Chris Kaiser Testimony GP 2045November 5, 2024
Hawaii County Planning Department
Windward Planning Commision
Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: Written Testimony Submission
County of Hawaii Proposed General Plan 2045;
Parcel (3) 2-1-06-16; 227 Kalanianaole Street, Hilo Hawaii
I am writing to formally submit this letter as written testimony to accompany my verbal testimony given
at the Windward Planning Commission; General Plan Hearing on November 1st 2024.
My name is Chris Kaiser, an employee with Pacific Quest and I represent them for this testimony. I reside
in Hilo, Hawaii.
Pacific Quest is the long term tenant on both the above referenced parcel 16 AND adjoining parcel 17. We
have been leasing both parcels since 2011 and we operate a Hawaii state licensed & CARF (Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited, Group Living Facility that provides mental health
services to adolescents and young adults. We currently employ 75 people in Hawaii and have had a
presence on the island for 20 years. We created and maintain the Pacific Quest Foundation that has
donated over $65,000 to local charities since 2017.
As a long term tenant of the above referenced parcel, employer and long term community stakeholder,
Pacific Quest has an interest in the community and its future prosperity. We understand that the purpose
of the Hawaii County General Plan is to plan for the best future for Hawaii island and we sincerely
appreciate the time, effort and resources that have gone into it.
As a long term tenant we have plans to expand our services, including to develop parcel 16, and are
concerned that the proposed General Plan re-designation of parcel 16 would greatly impact any future
possibilities under consideration, and thus impact our ability to thrive and continue offering mental health
services and to create and provide jobs.
We apologize for not being involved sooner in the comprehensive process that we are now aware is taking
place. We were only made aware of this two weeks ago by our landlord and property owner David Owens,
who received a letter dated October 10th, 2024, informing him of the proposed redesignation of parcel 16.
In this letter it states that the proposed General Plan re-designation of Parcel 16 from its current “Resort”
class to “Open/Recreation”. The reason cited in the letter is County Park.
We understand that the General Plan is the overarching policy document that will guide development on
the island going forward. Although the letter states that the County Zoning (Hotel/Resort V class) and its
permitted uses would not be affected, the Planning Department has confirmed that there could be impact
to our ability to secure an SMA use permit, (which is required in order to develop any SMA property).
We also understand, in order to get an SMA Use Permit approved, the proposed development needs to be
consistent with the General Plan which is where the incongruence between the proposed General Plan
Open/Recreation “re-designation” for parcel 16 and its current and historical Hotel-Resort zoning class
would likely create future impacts and uncertainty for our organization.
In closing we want to reiterate our support for the process and hope that the Planning Department and
Windward Planning Commission will exclude parcel 16 from any re-designation.
Cordially
Chris Kaiser, Director
Pacific Quest
chris@pacificquest.org