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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-27 Ka'ū CDP Meeting Packet County of Hawai‘i KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor Jesse Ke Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi Vacant Babette Morrow Jason Masters, Chair Pernell Hanoa, Vice-Chair Catherine Williams Kaweni Ibarra Vacant NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Kaʻū Action Committee in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-7, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS). This meeting will be held in-person at the location listed in this notice and by Interactive Conference Technology (ICT) through Zoom. DATE: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 TIME: 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. IN PERSON LOCATION: Kaʻū District Gym Multi-Purpose Room 96-1219 Kamani Street Pāhala, HI 96777 ONLINE/ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/SsIbLFXQQBmqarZEP5XTvw NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC TESTIMONY: The public may provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining Zoom or attending in-person at the physical location listed above. Although not required, to register in advance for oral testimony please contact staff at cdp@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8288. Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so either at the time the committee takes public statements on the agenda, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Please note that public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. In addition, although not required, to ensure timely delivery of written testimony to committee members, it is requested that written testimony be submitted by 4:30 p.m. at least two business days prior to the meeting via email to cdp@hawaiicounty.gov or in person at the Hilo or Kona Planning Department. When submitting written testimony, please specify for which agenda item written testimony is being submitted. All written testimony will be a part of the public record. NOTICE REGARDING INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): A meeting held by ICT shall be automatically recessed for up to 30 minutes to restore communication when audiovisual communication cannot be maintained with all members participating in the meeting or with the in-person location identified in this notice. The meeting may reconvene when either audiovisual communication is restored, or audio-only communication is established after an unsuccessful attempt to restore audiovisual communication. If it is not possible to reconvene the meeting as provided in this subsection within 30 minutes after an interruption to communication, the meeting will be automatically terminated. AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The Committee will consider approving the draft minutes from January 28, 2025. III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons who want to provide oral testimony may do so now, or at the time the specific agenda item is called. Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item. IV. BUSINESS: 1. Nāʻālehu Post Office Safe Pedestrian Crossing – Discussion and potential action regarding pedestrian safety at the crosswalk in front of the Nāʻālehu Post Office. 2. Ka Lae Coastline Access & Resources – Discussion and potential action regarding a previously submitted letter advocating for the protection of cultural sites and natural resources in the greater Ka Lae area, particularly at Mahana Bay. 3. Pōhue Bay Coastline Access and Resources– Discussion and potential action on prior Committee efforts related to Pōhue Bay. 4. Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station – Discussion and potential action regarding the response letter from the Department of Environmental Management, referenced in Communication No. 2025-06. 5. The Nature Conservancy’s Hīlea Property Acquisition – Discussion and potential action related to the acquisition of TMK (3) 9-5-018:001. V. NEW BUSINESS: Action Committee members will discuss potential agenda items for the next meeting, including revisiting topics from meetings that did not have a quorum. VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS: • The Planning Department is seeking applicants for the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee and is requesting assistance to get the word out to interested community members. The application is available on the Mayor’s Office website: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards- and-commissions. For inquiries, contact Micah Alameda, Executive Assistant to the Mayor at Micah.Alameda@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8211. • SB869, relating to Community Outreach Boards, has been passed by the full Senate and is awaiting signature by the Governor. • The Planning Commissions concluded their General Plan public hearings on March 11, 2025. View the Commissions’ recommendations here: o Leeward Planning Commission: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/edoc/147939/2025-03- 19%20LPC%20Recommendation%20Letter%20for%20General%20Plan%20Review.pdf o Windward Planning Commission: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/edoc/147940/2025-03- 19%20WPC%20Recommendation%20Letter%20for%20General%20Plan%20Review.pdf • Kaʻū Calendar update: The new monthly periodical is titled ʻAlemanaka Kaʻū. VII. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE: This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/fol/88959/Row1.aspx. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. The recorded video of this meeting will be uploaded to the Planning Department’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cohplanningdepartment The purpose of the public hearings is to afford all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the above items. A person desiring to submit oral or written testimony shall indicate their name and whether the testimony is on their behalf or as a representative of an organization or individual. Written testimony can be submitted via email or hard copy. Hard copies should include an original and nine copies and be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. two business days prior to the meeting. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service, other reasonable modification, or language interpretation to access this meeting please contact the Planning Department at (808) 961-8288 or cdp@hawaiicounty.gov as soon as possible, but no later than five business days prior to the meeting date, to arrange for accommodations. If a response is received after the five-business days deadline, we will try to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be fulfilled. “Other reasonable modification” refers to communication methods or devices for people with disabilities who are mentally and/or physically challenged. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code). A lobbyist means, “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” (Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code). Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720. KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE JASON MASTERS, Chair Meeeting Packet QR Code: KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 January 28, 2025 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Chair Masters called the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) 7 meeting to order at 5:13 p.m. A quorum was established with six members in attendance. This 8 meeting was held in person at the Nāʻālehu Community Center and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNjgcX-Jrh8 11 ROLL CALL 12 Members Present (in person): Jason Masters (Chair), Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi, Pernell Hanoa (Vice-13 Chair), Kaweni Ibarra and Catherine Williams 14 Members Present (via Zoom): Babette Morrow 15 Members Absent: Jesse Ke 16 From the County (in person): Maryam Palma and Jessica Lahip 17 There were approximately seventeen members of the public in attendance (13) in person and (4) 18 via Zoom. 19 APPROVAL OF MINUTES [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 5:20] 20 Committee member Mokuhaliʻi motioned to approve minutes from the December 11, 2024 with a 21 name correction to line 33 – “Wade Budgie” should be corrected to “Wade Baji”. The motion was 22 seconded by committee member Ibarra. The motion passed unanimously. 23 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 7:36] 24 None. 25 BUSINESS 26 1. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair – Discussion and potential action to elect a Chair and Vice-27 Chair for the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee for 2025. 28 This item was called to order at 5:18 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 8:18] 29 Chair Masters held a moment of silence for the passing of Julia Neal, Founder and Editor of the 30 Kaʻū Calendar. 31 Committee member Morrow made a motion to nominate Chair Masters for Chairperson 2025. The 32 motion was seconded by committee member Williams. The motion passed unanimously. Chair 33 Masters accepted the role of Chair for 2025. 34 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 28, 2025 2 Committee member Mokuhaliʻi made a motion to nominate Vice-Chair Hanoa for Vice-35 Chairperson 2025. The motion was seconded by committee member Ibarra. The motion passed 36 unanimously. Vice-Chair Hanoa accepted the position of Vice-Chair for 2025. 37 This item closed at 5:24 p.m. 38 2. Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station – Discussion and action on previously submitted letter to 39 Department of Environmental Management to open the transfer station to 7 days a week. 40 This item was called to order at 5:24 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:40] 41 Committee member Williams read the Kaʻū CDP AC’s letter to the Department of Environmental 42 Management (DEM), dated December 5, 2024, urging them to address concerns about the 43 Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station, emphasizing the need for seven-day service due to population growth 44 and illegal dumping. The AC cited CDP policies on land use, conservation, and infrastructure, 45 highlighting environmental and health risk. 46 Chair Masters moved to collaborate with a community member, Gary Davis, to reach out to the 47 DEM director or a representative to assess the current situation and determine the next steps. The 48 motion was seconded by committee member Mokuhaliʻi. The motion passed unanimously. 49 Gary Davis testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 21:51] 50 Marion Gerusch testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:30] 51 This item closed at 5:38 p.m. 52 3. Ka Lae Coastline Access & Resources – Discussion and action on previously submitted letter 53 regarding protecting cultural sites and natural resources in the greater Ka Lae area, particularly 54 Mahana Bay. 55 This item was called to order at 5:38 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 28:00] 56 Committee member Williams read the Mahana Bay letter, which highlights community concerns 57 about protecting cultural sites and natural resources amid increasing tourism. The AC designated 58 two members to draft recommendations addressing shoreline access, environmental degradation, 59 and preservation of Native Hawaiian sites. The letter references CDP policies that advocate for 60 ecosystem protection, responsible access, and stricter land use regulations. It also cited past studies 61 and management plans, urging agencies like DHHL and DLNR to act and develop a concrete plan 62 with a completion timeline. 63 Committee member Mokuhaliʻi shared that a meeting with the Department of Hawaiian Home 64 Lands (DHHL) is scheduled for January 29, 2025 at Nāʻālehu Community Center at 5:30 p.m. to 65 address recent land closures at South Point. Ranchers have been instructed to keep gates closed 66 due to theft and animal conditions. Efforts to spread the word are ongoing, but communication has 67 been challenging due to outdated contact information. 68 Chair Masters motioned to postpone this agenda item to the next meeting, following the DHHL 69 meeting. Committee member Mokuhaliʻi will hand-deliver the Mahana Bay letter to the DHHL 70 meeting and provide an update at the next Kaʻū CDP AC meeting for further discussion on required 71 actions, if any. The motion was seconded by Committee member Ibarra and passed unanimously. 72 This item closed at 5:56 p.m. 73 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 28, 2025 3 4. Testimony at State Legislature Relating to Sunshine Law & Community Outreach 74 Boards – Presentation by Nancy Pisicchio regarding drafted bills HB 686 and SB 869 that 75 could provide Sunshine Law flexibility for CDP Action Committees. Followed by discussion 76 and decision-making to provide testimony to the Legislature 77 This item was called to order at 5:56 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIME STAMP 45:38] 78 Vice-Chair Nancy Pisicchio from the Kona CDP AC presented HB 686 and SB 869, which aim to 79 amend Part 7 of Chapter 92 of the Sunshine Law. She expressed that these bills seek to make the 80 law more flexible for community outreach boards statewide, similar to Oʻahu’s neighborhood 81 boards, which have had success with a 2008 amendment. The current language of the law is too 82 specific to Oʻahu, preventing other counties from benefiting. The Kona CDP AC has voted to 83 support the legislation on SB 869, which has also been endorsed by the South Kohala CDP AC. 84 John Pelletier from the Kona CDP AC emphasized the proposed benefits, including allowing 85 public input on non-agenda items, holding meetings without a quorum (no decisions made), and 86 enhancing community outreach. 87 After the presentation, the Kaʻū CDP AC discussed the challenges of engaging in discussions 88 within the community. Concerns were raised about agenda rules causing delays, especially given 89 the infrequent meeting schedule. Members expressed frustration with their inability to act promptly 90 on urgent matters. 91 Committee member Williams made a motion for the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee to mirror a letter 92 presented by the Kona CDP AC in support of HB686 and SB869 regarding Sunshine Law 93 flexibility. The motion was seconded by committee member Ibarra and the motion passed 94 unanimously. 95 Bill Savage testimony: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:02:38] 96 This item closed at 6:23 p.m. 97 5. Department of Water Supply Inquiry – Discussion and decision making on designating a 98 committee member to work with a representative from Department of Water Supply on 99 community water concerns 100 This item was called to order at 6:24 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:13:35] 101 The AC discussed concerns about the potential misuse of emergency water filling stations in the 102 area with some suspecting that water is being taken for commercial purposes rather than personal 103 or emergency use. Despite recent rainfall, the region remains in a drought, making it critical to 104 ensure the emergency water filling stations is used appropriately. 105 The issue was identified as a County Council matter, and should be directed toward council 106 member Michelle Galimbla, as it is not CDP issue. 107 Committee member Mokuhaliʻi moved to draft a memo to council member Galimba or her 108 representative to collaborate with the Department of Water Supply in addressing water concerns. 109 Chair Masters seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 110 Marion Gerusch testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:23:53] 111 Candice Kaawa testimony [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:24:40] 112 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of January 28, 2025 4 This item closed at 6:39 p.m. 113 NEW BUSINESS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:27:58] 114 • Committee member Mokuhaliʻi raised a concern about the lack of safe pedestrian crossings 115 in front of Nāʻālehu Post Office making it dangerous for people to cross the road. 116 Pedestrians, including themselves, often cross unsafely. 117 ANNOUNCEMENTS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:31:50] 118 • Nāʻālehu Hills Subdivision letter was submitted to Director Jeff Darrow on 12/30/24 119 • The Planning Department is currently seeking applicants for the Kaʻū CDP Action 120 Committee and is requesting assistance to get the word out to interested community 121 members. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at: 122 https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions/boards-and-123 commissions-application 124 ADJOURNMENT 125 Chair Masters adjourned this meeting at 6:51 p.m. 126 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kaʻū 127 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 128 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department 129 by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 130 Communication No. 2025-06 County of Hawai‘i PLANNING DEPARTMENT www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov Jeffrey W. Darrow Acting Director Michelle S. Ahn Acting Deputy Director C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor William V. Brilhante, Jr. Managing Director East Hawai‘i Office 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 West Hawai‘i Office 74-lole Hwy Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 Phone (808) 323-4770 Fax (808) 327-3563 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE January 29, 2025 The Honorable Angus L.K. McKelvey, Chair Senate Committee on Government Operations and The Honorable GIenn Wakai, Chair Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Hawaii State Capitol, Conference Room 225 415 South Beretania Street Honolulu, Hawai’i 96813 RE: Testimony in Support of SB869: RELATING TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH BOARDS. Dear Chair McKelvey, Chair Wakai, and Members of the Committees, I am Jason Masters and Chair the Community Development Plan Action Committee. I am writing to ask for your support of SB869: RELATING TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH BOARDS. On January 28, 2025 the Community Development Plan Action Committee voted unanimously to support this measure. had to convene our meetings under the strict regulatory Sunshine Law requirements required of all decision-making bodies, such as the County Council. SB869 proposes to make minor updates to Part VII Chapter 92.81 related to Neighborhood Boards. In addition, SB869 proposes the adoption of a new generic definition for community outreach boards under 92-2 HRS. The CDP Action Committee believes the passage of SB869 will greatly increase the ability of all of participation in local government. Mahalo, Jason Masters, Chair Communication No. 2025-03 Communication No. 2025-04 Communication No. 2025-05