HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-16 Kona CDP AC Testimony on Bill 032 Draft 1 - CIP 2025-2026County of Hawai‘i
KONACOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo,96720
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
C. Kimo Alameda, PhD.
Mayor
John Pelletier
Vacant
Heather Korotie
Vacant
Charles Young, Chair
Nancy Pisicchio, Vice-Chair
Charla Thompson
David Huerta
Roselyn Molina
April 16, 2025
Hawai’i County Council
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Testimony Bill 032 Draft 1 2025-2026 CIP
Dear Chair K neali’i-Kleinfelder Chair and Members of the Committee on Finance,
During the April 8, 2024, meeting of the Kona Community Development Plan Action
Committee, the AC Members voted to forward to you our initial recommendations related to Bill
032 Draft 1. The Action Committee has been very active in its role within the Kona Community
Development Plan (KCDP). The AC notes that our County has been for sometime under
tremendous scrutiny, predating the election of the present Administration. In Kona, the issues
have been largely associated with infrastructure and the environment. In making our
recommendations as priorities for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget, the AC agreed on
the following priorities. We would like to add emphasis to the legal deadlines imposed by the
County’s Consent Decree regarding cesspools and the Kealakehe Waste Water Treatment Plant
upgrade. The AC greatly appreciates the opportunity to comment and lend its support for the CIP.
The Committee strongly recommends that the 2025-2026 budget include funding for the
KEALAKEHE WWTP R-1 UPGRADE PROJECT to comply with the April 4, 2025
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (Case No. CV 23-00393 JMS-KJM) between Plaintiff
. The settlement includes
the following conditions: Defendant will upgrade the Kealakehe WWTP so that its treated
wastewater satisfies the water quality standards applicable to R-1 Recycled Water
as set forth in “Reuse Guidelines, Volume 1: Recycled Water Facilities,” prepared
by the Wastewater Branch, Hawai‘i Department of Health dated January 2016,
attached hereto as Attachment “A” (“R-1 Project”). Defendant shall complete the R-1
according to the following schedule:
a) No later than September 1, 2025, Defendant will issue an invitation for bid for the
construction proposal for the R-1 Project.
b) No later than March 1, 2026, Defendant will begin construction of the R-1 Project.
c) No later than June 30, 2029, Defendant will complete the R-1 Project.
The Committee is in strong support of the funding request by the Department of Parks
and Recreation for item #202510 . The long overdue
has been identified within the Kona CDP Ordinance as:
–—
-
The Committee is in strong support of the funding request by the Department of Planning
for item . The Kona CDP states the
following goal:
These funds will also serve the implementation of -2.1:
The goal of this Program is to create a comprehensive
“hubs” and “links” system.
The Committee notes the request by the Mass Transit Agency for
The Committee would like to point out the need for a shelter
behind Target, which is a transfer point for several bus routes.
The Committee recommends the
update past studies to evaluate current conditions and make recommendations that would
serve to expand transportation infrastructure capacity between North and South Kona.
See below:
“Traffic congestion in Kona is bad and grows worse with time. The congestion is
fueled by the rapid growth and exacerbated by the road network, land use patterns
and dependence on the automobile. Road improvements have not kept pace with
development. Poor management of past development has eliminated or
compromised future roadway corridor options. Major road improvements take a
long time to complete and limited financial resources have to be prioritized and
supplemented by innovative funding sources
(COH Planning Department,
August 14, 2006).”
In addition, the Committee recommends that funding be allocated for the construction of
the . In the T –
, the Lako Street Extension was identified to help rectify existing
deficiencies and influence the pattern of future growth and new roads.
The Committee recommends that funds be allocated for the installation of -
“– In order to protect the nearshore water
quality, the requirement to hookup to the County sewer system (HCC Section 21-
5) shall be strictly enforced. The highest priority in expanding the sewer system
within the Kona Urban Area shall be to service any shoreline properties that do
not have access to a public sewer system and then to service lots within
approximately 1 mile of the shoreline.”
Sincerely,
Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair
Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee