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Home My WebLink About2025-02-27 PCDP Minutes Draft PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 3 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 4 DRAFT MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 27, 2025 6 7 8 CALL TO ORDER 9 Chair Leilani DeMello called the Puna Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee 10 (AC) to order at 5:02 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the Keaʻau Community Center and 11 online via the Zoom platform. 12 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 13 https://youtu.be/dRJwEdwsD00?si=SQmgGAhQCfBgXK5i 14 ROLL CALL 15 Members Present (in person): Chair Leilani DeMello, Susan Osbourne, Martha Morishige 16 Members Present (via Zoom): Leila Kealoha, Franny Brewer 17 Members Absent: Kanoe Wilson, Vice-Chair Gregory Henkel, Jennifer Scheffel 18 County Staff Present: Maryam Palma, Kawelo Kalili, and Shan Miller (in person) 19 County Officials: County Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz (via Zoom) 20 There were approximately 6 members of the public in attendance (5 in person and 1 via Zoom). 21 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 22 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:24] Committee Member Osborne moved to approve the minutes 23 from the December 5, 2024 meeting as drafted. Committee Member Morishige seconded the 24 motion. The motion passed unanimously. 25 PUBLIC TESTIMONY 26 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:41] There were no public testifiers at this time. 27 BUSINESS: 28 1. Overview of Ordinance 2024-070 (Bill 123) – Overview of recent accessory dwelling unit 29 (ADU) bill. Potential discussion and decision making to follow. [SEE YOUTUBE 30 TIMESTAMP 6:42] 31 This item was called to order at 5:08 p.m. 32 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 27, 2025 2 Norren Kato, Planning Program Manager for the Administrative Permits Division, gave a 33 presentation on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The presentation addressed the definition 34 of an ADU, where they are allowed, and limits and restrictions. 35 An ADU is a single-family dwelling with only one kitchen, which can be either attached or 36 detached from an existing dwelling. It is intended for single-family occupancy, with a 37 maximum of three ADUs allowed per building site. 38 In Hawaiʻi County, ADUs are permitted under Chapter 25 of the Hawaiʻi County Code in 39 single-family residential (RS), double-family residential (RD), residential agriculture (RA), 40 and family agriculture (FA), and agriculture (A) zones. For the agriculture district, there is a 41 caveat, which the ordinance states that any building in State Land Use Agriculture shall be 42 subject to Agricultural requirement of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS). ADUs must 43 comply with both County Zoning (Chapter 25, Hawaiʻi County Code) and State Land Use 44 regulations (Chapter 205, HRS), which categorize land into agricultural, conservation, rural, 45 and urban areas. State Land Use Agriculture does not allow ADUs, which is why there is a 46 caveat for agriculture zoned land. 47 There are specific restrictions on where ADUs can be built. They are prohibited in State Land 48 Use Conservation areas, affordable housing projects, and locations explicitly restricted by 49 ordinance. Additionally, only one dwelling unit per site can be a short-term vacation rental 50 (STVR), and sufficient sewer and water service must be available. The maximum allowable 51 size for an ADU is 1,250 square feet per County ordinance, and the number of bedrooms is 52 limited to five per septic system according to Hawaiʻi Department of Health regulations. 53 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:03] Committee Member Morishige raised a question on the 54 State’s involvement in getting three dwellings on a parcel. County Council Member Ashley 55 Kierkiewicz provided insight to the question regarding legislation on the State side that 56 required the county to do this. During the 2023 State Legislative Session, Act 39 was passed, 57 requiring the counties to adopt an ordinance that allows for at least two ADUs in residentially 58 zoned areas in urban areas. 59 Hawaiʻi County was the first county in the State to adopt legislation allowing three dwellings 60 on a property, which is ahead of the 2026 deadline for counties to adopt this legislation. In the 61 current session, there is legislation focused on the ability to build ADUs on agricultural 62 properties. However, this would not be called an ADU but rather an accessory farm dwelling. 63 This requires proof of agricultural activities occurring on your site in order for the Planning 64 Department to allow you to build. This legislation that is currently being considered would 65 allow for the building of ADUs so long as it is for an affordable price point or workforce 66 housing. 67 Council Member Kierkiewicz emphasizes the urgent need for infrastructure to accommodate 68 Puna’s rapid growth. Expanding infrastructure is essential not only to support the existing 69 population but also to facilitate the potential development of ADUs. It was suggested that the 70 Planning Department begin tracking ADU requests to map where they are being built and 71 identify who is utilizing this opportunity. Additionally, gaining insight into the approval 72 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 27, 2025 3 processes of the Department of Water Supply (DWS) and the Department of Environmental 73 Management (DEM) for ADU requests would be beneficial. 74 Regarding an alternate route for Puna, Council Member Kierkiewicz shared that there will be 75 a presentation by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the County 76 Department of Public Works (DPW) on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at County Council. This will 77 include a discussion on the movement of this project. 78 Planner Maryam Palma provided a demonstration on how to view the land use layers in the 79 Planning Department’s GIS web map: 80 https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/resources/resources-references/maps 81 A Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) was suggested as an avenue to study and monitor current 82 legislation, particularly regarding the development of additional units on agricultural zoned 83 land. This group would engage with the State delegation to address concerns about the impacts 84 on the Big Island. 85 The AC recommended keeping this business item on the agenda for the next meeting. 86 Committee Member Brewer agreed to provide any legislative updates to the Planning 87 Department’s CDP staff, who will then share them with AC members. 88 This item concluded at 6:02 p.m. 89 2. Orchidland Estates Infrastructure Letter – Discussion and decision making on submitting 90 drafted Communication No. 2025-01 to relevant agencies. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 91 1:00:22] 92 This item was called to order at 6:02 p.m. 93 Virginia Aste provided testimony regarding the need for infrastructure in Orchidland. [SEE 94 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:01:24] 95 Virginia, speaking both as an individual and as a co-author of the Puna CDP, is dedicated to 96 tracking infrastructure development in the region.. She highlights the lack of infrastructure in 97 Orchidland, despite the presence of businesses like a church, a store, and a few restaurants. To 98 address community needs, she helped to secure a four-acre parcel on 36th Avenue for a multi-99 purpose community center. . She emphasized that the absence of critical water infrastructure 100 has become a major barrier to implementing the Puna CDP. Virginia expressed her hopes for 101 the Puna CDP AC to engage the new administration and raise awareness about the urgent need 102 for water infrastructure in Orchidland. 103 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:08:20] Brennan Low provided testimony on this matter. 104 As a resident of Orchidland Drive, Brennan expressed interest in the potential for water 105 infrastructure in his neighborhood. He suggested evaluating existing water flow patterns and 106 exploring the feasibility of a horizontal water line along 40th Avenue. He also recommended 107 including a statement about the Orchidland Subdivision’s willingness to accommodate public 108 infrastructure on private property in exchange for potential road improvements, such as those 109 on 40th Avenue. 110 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 27, 2025 4 Committee Member DeMello suggested incorporating relevant language from the Puna CDP 111 into the letter, along with a reference to the appropriate section number or a similar citation. 112 Committee Member Kealoha suggested adding a Tax Map Key (TMK) number to identify the 113 four-acre parcel mentioned in the letter. She also recommended that the purpose of the letter 114 and any requests should be clearly stated earlier on in the letter. 115 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:37:46] Committee Member Morishige motioned to accept 116 this letter with revisions to the paragraphs 2 and 4 in order to better support its connection to 117 the Puna CDP. The letter will be submitted to the appropriate agencies such as the Department 118 of Public Works (DPW), Planning, Water Supply, and the Mayor’s Office. The motion was 119 seconded by Committee Member Kealoha. The motion passed unanimously. 120 This item concluded at 6:40 p.m. 121 3. Puna Connectivity Letter – Discussion and decision-making on submitting drafted 122 Communication No. 2025-02 to relevant agencies. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:38:20] 123 This item was called to order at 6:40 p.m. 124 Committee Member Osborne motioned to approve the drafted letter; seconded by Committee 125 Member Morishige. 126 Patti Pinto, Recovery and Redevelopment Assistant with the Planning Department’s Kīlauea 127 Disaster Recovery Division, offered to answer any questions regarding this letter on the Puna 128 Connectivity. 129 Committee Member Osborne commended Patti for her years of work on improving 130 connectivity in Puna and expressed gratitude for her dedication in drafting the letter. Patti noted 131 that now may be an opportune time for the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Public Works 132 (DPW) to consider their request. She welcomed suggestions for edits to the letter. The letter 133 will be addressed to the Mayor, the DPW Director and Deputy Director, the Planning 134 Department, and the two council members representing the Puna District. Ideally, the first step 135 would be to meet with these officials to bring this issue back onto their agendas. Patti requested 136 that the AC approve the letter and authorize it to be signed. 137 Committee Member Osborne asked whether the final statement of the letter could be made 138 more specific and moved to both the introduction and conclusion for emphasis. She also 139 suggested referencing the Puna CDP. Committee Member Kealoha recommended adding 140 bullet points to highlight the top connectivity priorities, making it easier for the new 141 administration to understand the request. It was also suggested to include Senator Joy San 142 Buenaventura and Representative Greggor Ilagan, as they are actively working on 143 connectivity-related initiatives. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:45:40] Council Member 144 Kierkiewicz expressed full support for Patti’s drafted letter. She confirmed that a bond 145 ordinance was adopted in 2020 under Mayor Kim’s administration to fund a connectivity route 146 between Upper and Lower Puna. She suggested including this information if it had not already 147 been mentioned. Additionally, she recommended involving Council Member Fresh Onishi in 148 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 27, 2025 5 the communication, as he also represents Hawaiian Paradise Park, bringing the total to three 149 council members engaged in the Puna region. 150 Council Member Kierkiewicz recommended inviting the administration to attend AC meetings 151 quarterly to provide updates and ensure accountability. She also highlighted a significant issue 152 in project tracking – the absence of a public-facing repository listing ongoing and needed 153 projects. This lack of documentation caused confusion during the transition from Mayor Roth 154 to Mayor Alameda’s administration. She emphasized the need for a system to track project 155 progress and make it accessible to both the administration and the public. 156 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:48:54] Stephanie Bath provided testimony on this matter. 157 Committee Member Osborne recommended drafting the strongest possible letter from the 158 Action Committee, giving the new administration a clear opportunity to respond to and address 159 the community’s current needs. 160 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:55:00] Committee Member Osborne revised the previous 161 motion to include the stated amendments for approval. The motion was seconded by 162 Committee Member Morishige. The motion carried with a unanimous aye voice vote. 163 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: 164 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:57:03] 165 1. Ongoing updates on State bills currently in legislation session, including SB 321. 166 2. Presentation by Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz on revitalization efforts for 167 downtown Pāhoa, including a potential special district. Additionally, a discussion on the 168 County Code provision requiring a review of the village design guidelines every 10 years. 169 3. Update on the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation 170 Commission (PONC) application for the consolidation of certain properties at Kumukahi 171 to support iwi kūpuna preservation and area management. This update will include a letter 172 of support, which Committee Member Osborne will draft on behalf of the AC. 173 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 174 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:02:19] 175 • The next meeting of the Puna CDP AC will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025. 176 • The Environmental Notice for the Hawaiian Paradise Park District Park – Final 177 Environmental Assessment (EA) is available: 178 https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/The_Environmental_Notice/2025-01-23-TEN.pdf 179 • The Planning Department is currently seeking applicants for the Puna CDP AC and 180 requesting assistance to get the word out to interested community members. Applications 181 can be found on the Mayor’s Office website: 182 https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions/boards-and-183 commissions-application 184 • Committee Member Morishige provided an update on a proposed rezone for a 20-acre 185 subdivision along the old Keaʻau-Pāhoa Rd, across from Keaʻau High School. The County 186 Council passed an Ordinance 25-1 (Bill No. 219, Draft 2), allowing the area to be 187 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 27, 2025 6 subdivided into one-acre parcels. There are community concerns about the development of 188 a medical center in this area and increased traffic congestion. Council Member Kierkiewicz 189 clarified that in addition to a subdivision, the rezone request included the possibility of a 190 medical facility. The Council cannot grant the property owner the ability to move forward 191 with the health center. This would require a special permit from the Planning Commission. 192 ADJOURNMENT 193 The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m. 194 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Puna 195 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 196 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by 197 calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 198