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Home My WebLink About2025-09-23 Kaʻū CDP Minutes Draft KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 September 23, 2025 5 CALL TO ORDER: 6 Chair Masters called the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) 7 meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the Ka’ū Gym Multi-8 Purpose Room 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=ChXeA26wWg0 11 ROLL CALL: 12 Members Present (in person): Babette Morrow, Catherine Williams, David Kuahiwinui, 13 Taylor Spurgeon, Gary Davis, and Chair Jason Masters 14 Members Absent: Jesse Ke and Kaweni Ibarra 15 County Staff Present (in person): Maryam Palma and Kawelo Kalili 16 County Staff Present (via Zoom): Jessica Lahip 17 There were approximately thirty (30) members of the public in attendance – (20) in person 18 and (10) via Zoom. 19 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:40] 20 Committee Member Catherine Williams moved to approve the minutes with a correction to 21 the Roll Call, noting that Committee Member Babette Morrow was present at the previous 22 meeting. The motion was seconded by Chair Jason Masters and passed unanimously. 23 PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:13] 24 Leinaʻala Enos provided testimony on Business Item #3 in support of extending hours and 25 adding more bins at the Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station. They also spoke on Business Item #4 26 in support of the Edmund C. Olson Trust No. 2 Highway Project Concept and urged the 27 state to address pedestrian safety near the post office in Nā‘ālehu. [SEE YOUTUBE 28 TIMESTAMP 5:51] 29 BUSINESS: 30 1. Vice Chair Election – Discussion and action to elect a Vice-Chair for the Kaʻū CDP 31 Action Committee for the remainder of 2025. 32 This item was deferred to the next meeting due to committee member absences. 33 2. Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction Group Report – The Hīlea Property 34 Permitted Interaction Group will present its findings on the proposed acquisition. 35 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 22, 2025 2 *Note: Committee members may ask clarifying questions, but full discussion will be 36 held at the next meeting. 37 This item was deferred to the next meeting due to committee member absences. 38 3. Waiʻōhinu Transfer Staton – Update regarding Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station site visit 39 followed by discussion and potential decision making. [SEE YOUTUBE 40 TIMESTAMP 10:59] 41 Chair Jason Masters reported that he, Committee Member Kaʻohinani Mokuhāliʻi, 42 Committee Member Gary Davis, and Planning Department staff met with Department of 43 Environmental Management Solid Waste Operations Division Chief Michael Rivera at the 44 Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station on August 11, 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss 45 the potential for expanding the transfer station’s hours and days of operation, following a 46 petition submitted by Committee Member Gary Davis. The committee proposed opening 47 the transfer station on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays to better 48 accommodate the community, with weekday hours slightly adjusted. Mr. Rivera indicated 49 that the county was willing to consider adding a fourth day once additional staff could be 50 hired, noting that current operations were under capacity in terms of truck loads. Chair 51 Masters added that the committee would take this step by step, emphasizing that staffing 52 must first be secured at Waiʻōhinu before further adjustments could be considered. He also 53 noted that, in the future, other transfer stations in the district, including Ocean View and 54 Pahala, could be evaluated for similar adjustments based on community needs. The 55 committee agreed that the proposed schedule appeared to be the most practical option 56 and expressed support for moving forward. It was determined that Chair Masters would 57 notify the county to confirm the proposed schedule, unless any community members 58 raised objections or suggested alternative days. 59 4. Edmund C. Olson Trust No. 2 Highway Project Concept – Discussion and 60 potential feedback regarding a draft concept of a fuel station, coffee shop and small 61 convenience store along Highway 11, Pahala (TMK: 9-6-012:012). *Note: This is a 62 project concept. No plans or land use applications have been submitted. [SEE 63 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 24:37] 64 Carl Okuyama provided testimony in strong support for the proposed project. He shared 65 that his company, ʻOhana Foods Inc. is interested in partnering with the Edmond Olson 66 Trust to develop a feasible plan that serves community needs and allows for future growth. 67 During discussion, Carl explained that the current plans are conceptual and that 68 community feedback will guide the final design, noting that a smaller initial build-out may 69 be more realistic. He also addressed questions about staffing, business overlap, and 70 construction sequencing, assuring members that the project aims to complement existing 71 businesses, expand local options, and open all components together once complete. [SEE 72 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 25:45] 73 Joe Lovan provided testimony on behalf of Maui Oil and Big Island Energy, offering 74 technical insight on fuel storage, safety, and compliance. With over 45 years of experience 75 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 22, 2025 3 in the petroleum industry, he explained that while underground storage tanks are 76 commonly used and highly safe, above-ground tanks offer the advantage of easier 77 inspection and faster detection of potential issues. Lovan noted that the final tank size 78 would depend on data collected by ʻOhana Foods and the Olson Trust. He also addressed 79 the proposed hydrogen component, explaining that while it could be designed for future 80 use, hydrogen infrastructure remains costly, technically distinct from gas systems, and not 81 currently feasible on Hawaiʻi Island. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 33:36] 82 Cheryl Baldondo provided testimony supporting the proposed gas station and hot kitchen 83 in Pāhala, emphasizing their benefits for locals, kūpuna, tourists, and farmers. She noted 84 the importance of accessibility during emergencies and highlighted that a hot kitchen 85 would serve as a communal gathering space for the community. [SEE YOUTUBE 86 TIMESTAMP 38:06] 87 Moses Espinola provided testimony expressing support for the project, emphasizing the 88 need for a gas station that offers propane and diesel. They highlighted the importance of 89 having local fuel access for safety and emergency preparedness, noting recent road 90 disruptions. They conveyed strong backing for the project, seeing it as a valuable 91 community resource and blessing. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 39:18] 92 Mahina Lorenzo provided testimony in support of the project. [SEE YOUTUBE 93 TIMESTAMP 40:30] 94 Brenda Iokepa-Moses introduced herself as a longtime community member currently 95 working with the Olson Trust, with prior experience in the area including coffee milling. She 96 emphasized the importance of involving the community, especially kūpuna, in the planning 97 process to gather input and address concerns early. Brenda highlighted her availability for 98 individual meetings and consultations to ensure community needs are considered, noting 99 the value of public restrooms, convenient fuel, and food services along the highway. She 100 also expressed confidence in Carl’s experience and stewardship, and encouraged 101 attendees to reach out to her directly with questions or feedback. [SEE YOUTUBE 102 TIMESTAMP 40:57] 103 John Cross presented the proposal for a Pāhala convenience store, coffee shop, and fuel 104 station, emphasizing community input and support. He outlined the location on Olson Trust 105 land, the transition to a new trustee, and the Trust’s commitment to community 106 engagement. The project would include fuel (gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, propane container 107 exchange), EV stations, restrooms, a coffee shop, and a convenience store, while 108 preserving the monkey pod trees and incorporating local history and cultural elements. He 109 noted necessary infrastructure improvements, including a turning lane, 110 deceleration/acceleration lanes, parking for 33 vehicles plus larger trucks, and water line 111 extensions. 112 During the discussion, Mr. Cross addressed questions about zoning changes (from County 113 Ag 20 to medium-density urban/commercial), water access and permits, project financing, 114 and ensuring the new facility would complement rather than compete with existing 115 businesses like Mizuno Superette. Community members raised concerns about 116 environmental impacts, project oversight, and the Trust’s management structure, which Mr. 117 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 22, 2025 4 Cross clarified includes two trustees and a board of advisors. He also explained that the 118 project would enhance local safety, provide jobs, and create a community gathering space. 119 Brenda Iokepa-Moses’s role as community liaison and facilitator of public input was 120 highlighted. Overall, the presentation focused on project benefits, historical and cultural 121 integration, and collaboration with the community to refine and implement the proposal. 122 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 44:26] 123 The Action Committee discussed Mr. Cross’s proposed Pāhala development, focusing on 124 zoning, traffic, and community impact. The committee noted that the General Plan must be 125 adopted before CDP amendments, and Mr. Cross explained the need to rezone 8–10 126 acres from low-density urban/agriculture to medium-density urban/Village Commercial. 127 Members asked about traffic, driveway location, and current land use, with safety and 128 maintaining plantation-style architecture emphasized. Community feedback favors locating 129 the project outside the village to reduce noise and traffic near schools. Carl noted the 130 highway location is needed to ensure sufficient fuel sales (≈75,000 gallons/year). Overall, 131 the discussion addressed procedural, logistical, and community concerns, with further 132 input expected before formal recommendations. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:09:45] 133 The Action Committee requested that Mr. Cross provide a detailed justification addressing 134 the Kaʻū CDP objectives and land use policies, since the proposed gas station location 135 conflicts with the CDP’s guidance to keep development within the village core. Mr. Cross 136 agreed to review the CDP objectives starting on page 37 and prepare a rationale for 137 modifying them in relation to the specific TMK. Committee members emphasized that while 138 Pāhala urgently needs a gas station, placing it outside the village could impact local 139 businesses by drawing traffic away from the town center. Community support and clear 140 articulation of why the proposed location is preferred over the CDP’s intended village-141 centered development are essential for the AC to consider supporting the project. 142 Concerns about traffic, safety for children, and preserving village vitality were highlighted, 143 and several members noted the importance of reflecting the broader community’s 144 preference in the justification. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:24:57] 145 Earl Louis provided testimony strongly supporting a gas station in Pāhala, citing local 146 convenience, reduced traffic to Nāʻālehu, and benefits for the growing community. He 147 emphasized voicing support for those who don’t speak publicly and improving 148 infrastructure, framing the project as essential for residents and visitors. [SEE YOUTUBE 149 TIMESTAMP 1:30:24] 150 Action Committee members discussed additional community benefits for the proposed gas 151 station, including ethanol-free fuel and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Mr. Cross 152 confirmed that ethanol-free gas would be included, calling it “a must,” and noted that two 153 EV charging stations are planned at the nearby Kaʻū Coffee Mill, outside the immediate 154 development, leveraging existing power infrastructure. Members also raised that the site is 155 about a mile from central Pāhala (Pikake Street and Kamani Street intersection), which 156 could impact pedestrian access if Mizuno’s were unavailable. Mr. Cross did not provide a 157 precise distance but acknowledged the concern. No further questions or motions were 158 raised at that time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:36:59] 159 PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 160 1:42:22] 161 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 22, 2025 5 There was no public testimony at this time. 162 THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 163 1:43:07] 164 There were no third-party reports from government officials. 165 PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:43:20] 166 1. Action Committee Chair and Vice Chair Elections 167 2. Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction Group Report 168 3. Pōhue Bay 169 A community member proposed a new agenda item regarding unpermitted grading and 170 excavation on a large parcel along Kamaʻoa Road in South Point (TMK 9400-4003-0000). 171 They noted the activity involves bulldozing and excavation without the required permits for 172 projects over one acre. The Action Committee agreed to place the item on the next agenda 173 and have planning staff investigate the proposed work. It was clarified that the property is 174 owned by Bishop Estate. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:49:05] 175 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 176 • Nāʻālehu Post Office Safe Pedestrian Crossing Update: The Department of 177 Transportation is in the process of securing funds to install a Speed Feedback Sign 178 to assist in slowing motorists and addressing pedestrian safety and speeding 179 concerns. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:51:28] 180 ADJOURNMENT 181 Chair Masters adjourned this meeting at 6:58 p.m. 182 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kaʻū 183 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 184 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 185 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 186