HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-26 PCDP Meeting Packet
County of Hawai‘i
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
C. Kimo Alameda
Mayor
Gregory Henkel, Vice Chair Jennifer Scheffel Martha Morishige Kanoe Wilson Leilani DeMello, Chair Vacant Leila Kealoha Susan Osborne Franny Brewer
AGENDA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Puna 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: Thursday, June 26, 2025
TIME: 5:00 P.M.
IN PERSON LOCATION: Keaʻau Community Center 16-186 Pili Mua St Keaau, HI 96749
ONLINE/ZOOM:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/P2bFNC_lQH6RsART-jcwxg
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 §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. 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 February 27, 2025.
III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: Pursuant to §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. Letter of Support to PONC – Deliberation on Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission’s suggestion 25-07: acquisition and consolidation of Kumukahi, Puna, HI.
2. Puna Connectivity Update – Update and deliberation regarding highway connectivity in upper Puna.
V. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA – Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. (Pursuant to SB 869)
VI. THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS – The Action Committee
may receive and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included in a publicly noticed agenda. The Action Committee may only make decisions on matters originally raised by third-party reports from any government official at a later meeting, where the agenda for the meeting gives notice of decision-making on the matter. (Pursuant to SB 405)
VII. NEW BUSINESS – The Committee will discuss potential agenda items for the next meeting.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• The Planning Department is currently seeking applicants for the Puna CDP Action
Committee and is requesting assistance to get the word out to interested community
members. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-commissions-application IX. ADJOURNMENT
This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Puna
Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=1&cr=1. 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.
NOTICE: 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 4:30pm 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.
PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Meeting Packet QR Code:
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
PONC Commission Hawaiʻi County Planning Department
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
April 24, 2025
Subject: Letter of Support for the Public Acquisition and Consolidation of Kumukahi
Properties, Ahupua‘a of Kula, Puna District
Aloha PONC Commissioners:
On behalf of the Puna Community Development Commission (PCDC), we write in
strong support of the proposed public acquisition and consolidation of 11 parcels—
encompassing approximately 2,000 acres—located in the ahupua‘a of Kula at Kumukahi,
in the Puna District. This effort is vital to the long-term protection of one of Hawai‘i’s
most culturally, ecologically, and historically significant wahi pana and aligns closely
with the goals of the Puna Community Development Plan (CDP).
We are pleased to note in the application, that all landowners of the 11 parcels have been
consulted and have provided letters of support, indicating their willingness to sell their
properties for the purpose of conservation and cultural preservation through the PONC
process. This rare alignment of Government, non-profit and community with landowner
cooperation, presents a unique opportunity for the County to take decisive and impactful
action. Two non-profits Ho`oulu Låhui, a well- established 30 year non-profit, founded
on the protection and education of our wahi pana and the Kuamo`o Legacy Foundation
have committed to taking the lead in the preservation and management of the area.
Cultural and Historical Preservation Kumukahi is a wahi pana of immense cultural and spiritual significance. Traditionally
recognized as the first place the sun touches Hawai‘i each day and as a sacred leina (spiritual transition point), it is closely tied to the arrival of Pele and serves as a wahi ilina (burial site) for generations of kūpuna. The Puna CDP prioritizes the protection of such sites: 2.1.1 Goals
o a. Structures and cultural sites that are significant to Puna’s history andcultural traditions are preserved.
The acquisition will enable implementation of a Burial Treatment Plan, ensuring the respectful care of iwi kūpuna, and provide permanent access for lineal and cultural
descendants to maintain ceremonial and traditional practices.
Communication No. 2025-07
Environmental Protection and Stewardship The area supports endangered and native species such as the Hawaiian petrel (‘Ua‘u),
Hawaiian hoary bat (‘Ōpe‘ape‘a), and native coastal plants and trees. The parcels'
consolidation supports: 2.1.1 Goals o e. The native forests of Puna are revered as part of the native culture and
are provided with permanent protection from degradation and loss.
A unified approach will allow for comprehensive ecological restoration, invasive species management, and the protection of fragile habitats.
Community Access, Education, and Managed Use
This initiative opens opportunities for community-based stewardship, including educational programming, interpretive trails, and managed visitor access that honors the cultural and natural significance of the area.
2.1.1 Goals
• d. Awareness and appreciation of the host culture is expanded.
Preservation of Coastal Areas and Public Safety
The project ensures that access to this delicate coastal region is carefully managed to prevent environmental degradation and safeguard public safety. Conclusion
The Puna Community Development Commission fully supports this acquisition and
consolidation initiative as it embodies the CDP’s core values: community-based resource management, cultural integrity, ecological protection, and sustainable land use. The support of all the identified collaborators reflects a shared vision for stewardship and preservation.
We urge the County to move forward with this acquisition and honor this opportunity to protect Kumukahi for current and future generations. A list of the 11 parcels is included as an attachment to this letter.
Mahalo for your thoughtful consideration.
Respectfully,
Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee