Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-20 SKCDP Draft Minutes SOUTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 November 20, 2025 5 CALL TO ORDER 6 Vice Chair Scott Nagata called the South Kohala Community Development Plan (CDP) 7 Action Committee (AC) to order at 5:02 p.m. A quorum was established with six members 8 in attendance. This meeting was held in person at the Waimea Community Center. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeE7XCz58SM 11 ROLL CALL 12 Members Present (in person): Scott Nagata (Vice-Chair), Julia Alos, Bambi Lau, and 13 Owana Wilcox. 14 Members Present (via Zoom): Ruth Smith, Karen Anderson, and Josephine “Jojo” 15 Tanimoto (arrived at 5:12 p.m.). 16 Members Absent: Tristie Licoan (Chair) and Kevin McLaughlin. 17 County Staff Present: Maryam Palma and Jessica Lahip (via zoom). 18 There were approximately eleven (11) members of the public in attendance three (3) in 19 person and eight (8) via Zoom. 20 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:33] 21 Committee Member Wilcox moved to approve the August 21, 2025, minutes. Committee 22 Member Alos seconded the motion. Committee Member Alos requested clarification on 23 the contents of the minutes presented, noting that several topics discussed during the 24 meeting were not specifically reflected in the minutes. She stated that her request to 25 include New Business items—specifically the second access road and another related 26 issue—was only partially included, along with discussion from the previous meeting. Ms. 27 Palma responded that the minutes were prepared by Planning Department staff. 28 Committee Member Alos further emphasized that when official representatives attend 29 meetings, their presence and statements should be documented in the minutes for future 30 reference and as an official record of guidance. Committee Member Wilcox agreed with 31 this recommendation. No further discussion occurred. The motion passed with a 32 unanimous aye voice vote. 33 Committee Member Wilcox moved to approve the September 18, 2025, minutes. 34 Committee Member Lau seconded the motion. Committee Member Alos clarified that her 35 concerns pertained to the September minutes and not the August minutes. No further 36 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 2 discussion occurred. The motion passed with a unanimous aye voice vote. [SEE 37 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 11:36] 38 Committee Member Jojo Tanimoto joined the meeting at 5:12 p.m., and quorum was 39 confirmed with seven committee members. 40 PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:45] 41 No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom. 42 BUSINESS 43 1. Tsunami Report & Mahalo Letters – Vice-Chair Nagata requests the committee 44 sends letters of appreciation to schools for their willingness to serve as evacuation 45 centers and to share out his drafted tsunami report. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 46 14:55] 47 No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom for this agenda item. [SEE YOUTUBE 48 TIMESTAMP 15:27] 49 Vice Chair Nagata noted that he drafted letters to several organizations in Waimea 50 and Waikōloa that accommodated evacuees during the tsunami evacuation. Waikōloa 51 School sheltered a large number of evacuees, with thanks extended to Committee 52 Member Alos. Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy (HPA) also accommodated evacuees 53 and housed individuals overnight. Additional facilities that provided shelter included 54 the Waimea Community Center, which accommodated more than 90 people; Parker 55 School, approximately 50 people; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 56 approximately 75 people; Mana Christian ʻOhana, approximately 75 people; and the 57 Waikoloa new development known as “The Lofts,” which housed several families. 58 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 15:37] 59 Committee Member Alos requested a head count of individuals accommodated across 60 all locations. Vice Chair Nagata reported that approximately 880 to 900 people were 61 sheltered. He also noted that private residents in Waikoloa assisted by providing 62 supplies, water, temporary housing, and support, with some evacuees camping in 63 shopping center parking lots. Vice Chair Nagata further shared that he spoke with 64 resort representatives, who indicated that some evacuees arriving from the airport 65 learned midway through their travel that they had nowhere to go. [SEE YOUTUBE 66 TIMESTAMP 17:19] 67 Vice Chair Nagata moved to send letters of appreciation to the organizations for their 68 efforts. Committee Member Lau seconded the motion. Committee Member Alos 69 requested that the letters include a question asking how the committee could improve 70 and do better next time. Vice Chair Nagata responded that discussions had already 71 taken place with those organizations and that they had provided suggestions, which 72 were listed on the back of the report. The suggestions included automatically 73 activating Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), even if it was not 74 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 3 ultimately needed, to allow for practice. They also requested additional supplies, 75 including the possibility of asking resorts to donate slightly used bedding they planned 76 to retire and to store these supplies in several locations. Committee Member Wilcox 77 mentioned the possibility that Mana Christian ʻOhana had ordered additional cots and 78 noted that extra cots had also been received from the Waimea Community Center. 79 She further asked how this information would be finalized and how it would be 80 communicated to the public should a similar situation occur again. No further 81 discussion occurred. The motion passed with a unanimous aye voice vote. [SEE 82 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 19:22] 83 Vice Chair Nagata clarified that the letter would include suggestions regarding facility 84 capacity, including how many individuals were actually accommodated and how many 85 could potentially be accommodated. He noted that these facilities were scattered 86 throughout Waimea. On the west side, he identified the State Department of Hawaiian 87 Homelands (DHHL), Hawaiian Hall, and Kanu (the large gym in the back) as potential 88 shelter locations, and stated that these were included in the letter as potential 89 capacity. Committee Member Alos asked about traffic concerns and traffic patterns. 90 Vice Chair Nagata stated that this issue was mentioned in the report; however, no 91 solutions were identified, as this would be the responsibility of the police and Civil 92 Defense. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:53] 93 Committee Member Lau asked how many of the people sheltered were hotel guests. 94 Vice Chair Nagata responded that the majority were hotel guests. Committee Member 95 Wilcox stated that it would make sense for hotels to partner with these shelter spaces. 96 Vice Chair Nagata shared that he had spoken with the Waikoloa School principal, who 97 reported that Mauna Lani sent a truck filled with water bottles and supplies that were 98 gathered and delivered to the school. Committee Member Wilcox added that hotels 99 typically bring food to evacuation sites using their own stoves and refrigeration. She 100 emphasized the importance of partnering hotels with specific shelter sites so that each 101 hotel would know where to send evacuees, rather than dispersing them across 102 multiple locations. She noted that this would also allow communities to prepare for the 103 number of people arriving from each hotel. She stated that these arrangements should 104 be clearly mapped out in advance. Vice Chair Nagata responded that one of the 105 suggestions was to establish a crisis response group led by Civil Defense that would 106 include all resorts and relevant organizations to improve coordination and 107 communication. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 25:53] 108 Committee Member Alos recommended placing QR codes with emergency 109 preparedness information at airports, in hotel rooms, and on county vehicles. She also 110 recommended that Civil Defense post each community’s emergency evacuation plan 111 on its website to improve public access to critical information. [SEE YOUTUBE 112 TIMESTAMP 33:26] 113 A member of the public suggested posting signage identifying tsunami inundation 114 zones along resort coastlines. Committee Member Tanimoto shared that, during the 115 previous month’s South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee meeting, discussions 116 focused on access and evacuation from oceanfront areas. DHHL was working to 117 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 4 identify an evacuation plan as the harbor and surrounding subdivisions expanded. 118 She further explained that erosion in the gulch could cover the highway, resulting in 119 road closures, lack of access, and challenges in transporting cargo across affected 120 bridges. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 34:49] 121 Committee Member Smith shared that during a past tsunami watch, she opened the 122 school to provide shelter for approximately 400 people. She expressed concern that 123 similar situations continue to occur today and that little has changed to address these 124 ongoing shelter and evacuation challenges. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 40:54] 125 A member of the public spoke; however, the comments were unclear due to cross talk 126 and could not be fully understood for the record. 127 2. Mana Road Fire Mahalo Letters – Chair Licoan requests the committee sends letters 128 of appreciation to those involved in managing the Mana Road fire. [SEE YOUTUBE 129 TIMESTAMP 47:19] 130 No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom for this agenda item. [SEE YOUTUBE 131 TIMESTAMP 47:32] 132 Committee Member Wilcox moved that Chair Licoan draft the letters. Committee 133 Member Alos seconded the motion. No discussion occurred. The motion passed with 134 a unanimous aye voice vote. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 48:13] 135 3. Capital Improvements Project Budget Requests – Discussion and potential 136 decision making on requesting that the Department of Parks and Recreation include 137 the Waimea Community Center and a Waikoloa Community Center & Gym as specific 138 items in the CIP budget. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 48:54] 139 Committee Member Alos requested that the new CIP manager attend a meeting so 140 the committee members could gain a better understanding. Committee Member 141 Wilcox suggested that the new CIP manager be transparent with the community 142 regarding the finances in each area. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 50:27] 143 A member of the public spoke about advocating for improved parks in Waimea and 144 Waikōloa and noted that there appeared to be several unfinished projects in the area. 145 He then stated that the Waimea District Park was not fully completed and suggested 146 that additional space be provided for children, noting that children were currently using 147 any open areas for sports practices. He requested additional funding to support 148 existing residents and specifically urged the completion of the Waimea District Park. 149 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 51:38] 150 Committee Member Wilcox asked about the County’s budget of over $900 million and 151 how it would be divided among the nine districts, noting that this would amount to over 152 $100 million per district. Council Member James Hustace clarified that the amount 153 referenced was for overhead costs, including staffing facilities, equipment, and 154 vehicles. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 56:31] 155 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 5 Committee Member Tanimoto raised concerns regarding traffic safety at the Waimea 156 Community Park, noting that numerous children play in the area, and recommended 157 a bypass or an additional road. Committee Member Wilcox added that the roundabout 158 would be a contributing factor. Committee Member Anderson referenced a previously 159 approved $1 million CIP for the Puakō sewer project that was included in the budget 160 but noted that Finance indicated there was no current funding available for CIP 161 projects. She requested that the process be explained, from project approval to 162 placement on the long list and ultimately to funding. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 163 57:36] 164 A member of the public asked whether there were volunteers available and whether, 165 if the county provided materials for the district park, volunteers could board up the 166 doors and construct awnings on top to prevent wind from blowing inside. He also 167 asked whether volunteerism would be a feasible agenda item that could benefit the 168 community. Committee Member Alos responded that, based on her experience, 169 volunteer efforts would require the formation of a “Friends of the Park” group, 170 appropriate insurance coverage, non-profit organization status, and signed liability 171 waivers from all participants. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:02:40] 172 Committee Member Wilcox moved to request that the Department of Parks and 173 Recreation include the Waimea Community Center and the Waikoloa Community 174 Center and gym as specific items in the CIP budget. Committee Member Alos 175 requested the addition of the Waikoloa permanent second road. Committee Member 176 Tanimoto requested a playground canopy for the Kailapa subdivision. Vice Chair 177 Nagata responded that the Kailapa subdivision is DHHL property and that permission 178 from the property owner may be required. Committee Member Alos also requested 179 that the Department of Parks and Recreation attend a future meeting to inform the 180 community about how to establish a Friends of the Park group in their communities. 181 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:02:40] 182 Committee Member Wilcox requested that the Department of Parks and Recreation 183 attend the next meeting so the committee could ask questions directly. Committee 184 Member Alos requested that the second access road in Waikoloa be included on the 185 next agenda, and Committee Member Tanimoto requested that Kawaihae be included 186 on the next agenda. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:16:46] 187 A member of the public spoke; however, the comments were unclear due to cross talk 188 and could not be fully understood for the record. 189 Committee Member Wilcox moved to request that the Department of Parks and 190 Recreation include the Waimea Community Center and the Waikoloa Community 191 Center and gym as specific items in the CIP budget. Committee Member Smith 192 seconded the motion. No further discussion occurred. The motion passed with a 193 unanimous aye voice vote. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:19:48] 194 4. New Committee Priority Items – Committee members Lau & Wilcox will share 195 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 6 priority items they are interested in the committee pursuing. [SEE YOUTUBE 196 TIMESTAMP 1:20:28] 197 Committee Member Lau requested to work with hotel associations, such as Kohala 198 Coast Resort Association (KCRA) and Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association 199 (HLTA), to explore commitments to give back to the community through service in 200 schools and parks. She noted that having a list of projects and working with Friends 201 of the Park groups for each park would help identify needs such as financial support 202 and volunteers. Additionally, Committee Member Lau raised the issue of a disaster 203 evacuation plan and stated that she was willing to work with various parties and 204 entities, including KCLA, Hawaii Spa Association (Hi-Spa), hotels, and Civil Defense, 205 to reach agreement, create a timeline, and identify needed supplies and staffing. [SEE 206 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:20:53] 207 Committee Member Wilcox requested that the Department of Parks and Recreation 208 attend the next meeting and discuss the possibility of adding more dog parks. [SEE 209 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:23:41] 210 Committee Member Alos mentioned the population growth in the community and the 211 Waikōloa Community Center. Council Member Evans had put forth a financial impact 212 statement of $200,000, stating that the project was a departmental priority addressing 213 public health and safety, quality of life, and gaps in current services for underserved 214 demographics. The request included planning feasibility, engineering, or a design 215 study, noting the project’s high urgency. In addition, the community center would serve 216 double use as an evacuation center for makai neighbors. The top priority identified 217 was the construction of a second permanent two-lane road from Waikōloa Village to 218 Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway. Committee Member Alos requested this item be placed 219 under New Business at the upcoming CDP meeting. Committee Member Smith 220 agreed. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:26:20] 221 Committee Member Wilcox asked whether new developments are required to give 222 back to the surrounding area. Council Member Hustace responded that many 223 subdivisions or larger developments have agreements with County administration and 224 the landowner. He noted that the specifics vary, but may include requirements for 225 improvements, as well as meeting certain thresholds before additional infrastructure 226 projects are undertaken. Smaller developments are typically subject to impact fees, 227 such as those associated with rezoning applications, which generate funds for the 228 surrounding community. He also referenced County Code, Chapter 32, Community 229 Facilities Districts, which addresses the costs of infrastructure improvements. Council 230 Member Hustace noted that, unfortunately, many of the existing development 231 agreements are dated. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:28:09] 232 5. Report on County Boards and Commissions Meeting – Chair Licoan will provide 233 an update on the Mayor’s meeting with Boards and Commissions Chairs and Vice 234 Chairs, held on October 18, 2025. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:35:06] 235 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 7 Ms. Palma clarified that the summary included in the meeting packet was provided by 236 the Kona CDP AC Chair. She noted that he attended the meeting, took notes, and 237 authorized the sharing of the summary. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:35:39] 238 6. Election of South Kohala CDP Action Committee Chair and Vice Chair – The 239 Committee will elect a Chair and Vice Chair to serve for the 2026 calendar year. [SEE 240 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:36:01] 241 No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom for this agenda item. [SEE YOUTUBE 242 TIMESTAMP 1:36:16] 243 Committee Member Wilcox nominated Scott Nagata as Chair and Karen Anderson as 244 Vice Chair. Committee Member Anderson nominated Scott Nagata and Tristie Licoan 245 for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair, with the option to serve in either role. 246 Committee Member Anderson declined the nomination for Vice Chair. Committee 247 Member Wilcox nominated Julia Alos, who declined the nomination. Committee 248 Member Nagata nominated Bambi Lau, who declined the nomination. Scott Nagata 249 accepted the role of Chair for 2026. A roll-call vote was taken for Scott Nagata as 250 Chair, and the motion carried with seven aye votes. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 251 1:36:25] 252 Committee Member Lau nominated Owana Wilcox, who declined the nomination. All 253 committee members agreed to hold nominations for Vice Chair at the next meeting. 254 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:40:28] 255 PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 256 1:40:42] 257 Public Testimony #1: A member of the public reflected on a previous meeting at the 258 Hawaiian’s Home Hall regarding the water situation and was unsure if any action had 259 been taken concerning the current reservoir issues. He also reiterated what 260 Committee Member Alos had discussed about the second road in Waikōloa Village. 261 Members of the public spoke; however, the comments were unclear due to cross talk and 262 could not be fully understood for the record. 263 THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 264 1:55:27] 265 Council Member Hustace provided updates regarding roads. He noted that he 266 received questions about roads in District 9, which includes North and South Kohala, 267 and mentioned that many of these roads are State roads. He was able to direct 268 improvements for the County-maintained portions. He provided an overview of County 269 Road projects: in Waimea, there were striping efforts and intersection improvements 270 with traffic lights. In Waikōloa Village, there is a temporary lighted intersection project. 271 Regarding the capital budget, the overall plan remains to move forward with a 272 roundabout at that intersection. Deputy Neil Azevedo reported that the project could 273 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 8 not be delayed any longer and that the lighted intersection should be completed in 274 December. Most paving efforts in Waikōloa Village have been completed, with some 275 smaller projects still pending. Near the school, another raised crosswalk is planned at 276 the intersection of Puʻu Nui Street. In Waimea, projects included speed humps on side 277 streets and repaving on Lindsey Road. Kuhio Village roads were repaved, with 278 requests for speed humps also noted. 279 Council Member Hustace further explained that the General Plan serves as the 280 County’s guiding document for the next 20 years. The plan currently sits with the 281 Council, which had the opportunity to review it with the Planning Department, provide 282 suggestions, and incorporate community input. The Council plans to revisit the 283 General Plan in 2026. Any substantial amendments will be referred back to the 284 Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions before returning to Council. [SEE 285 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:59:55] 286 Council Member Hustace provided an update on the budget. He explained that the 287 Council’s role is to work with the administration, noting that the Mayor proposes both 288 an operating budget and a capital budget. The operating budget covers salaries, 289 operations, and maintenance of facilities on a regular basis from July to June. For the 290 current fiscal year, the operating budget totaled $937 million, representing a small 291 increase from the previous fiscal year. The capital budget for the current fiscal year 292 totals $622 million. Capital projects are generally one-time expenses or substantial 293 costs for specific projects, with legally mandated projects prioritized. The Mayor 294 submits the proposed budget to Council, which may make amendments before 295 approving it, after which the Mayor signs it. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:01:44] 296 Council Member Hustace reported that the Mayor had included funding for several 297 projects in District 9. These included the redevelopment of Māhukona Beach Park and 298 the continuation of funding for the future roundabout at the Waikōloa Paniolo Avenue 299 intersection. Funding was also provided for the rehabilitation of Waikōloa Road and 300 for the installation of an emergency generator at South Kohala Fire Station 14. The 301 Mayor’s budget further included planning for mass transit, specifically the future 302 Waimea Transit Hub, an affordable housing project on Kawaihae Road, improvements 303 to the wastewater facility, and future phasing for road infrastructure around the County 304 property known as Kamakoa Nui in Waikōloa. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:03:39] 305 Council Member Hustace mentioned that the Council had the opportunity to amend 306 the budget. He noted that he added funding for the repair and maintenance of the 307 Kohala Swimming Pool, the expansion of Kalani Schutte Park with the development 308 of ball fields. Additional projects included dog parks in Waikōloa, improvements to 309 Kamahemeha Park, the Waimea Trails project, the Puakō sewer project, the Waikōloa 310 second road or arterial road, and the widening of Paniolo Avenue. [SEE YOUTUBE 311 TIMESTAMP 2:07:35] 312 Council Member Hustace provided an update on Bill 103, regarding the agricultural 313 property tax program. He noted that most farmers are kūpuna, and there is a shortage 314 of young farmers. He explained that if a property transitions out of active agricultural 315 SOUTH KOHALA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Draft Minutes of November 20, 2025 Page 9 use, its valuation immediately rises to market value. This bill would place a cap on the 316 valuation, limiting annual increases to 3 percent. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 317 2:14:07] 318 Council Member Hustace reported that he had been working on affordable housing 319 initiatives and the County has a new County Auditor, providing the legislative branch 320 with greater oversight and transparency regarding how the administration and various 321 departments spend their funds. He noted ongoing work on legislation related to wildfire 322 mitigation and on Bill 89, which addresses qualifications for the Civil Defense 323 Administrator. He also referenced Bill 96, which expanded the member qualifications 324 for the Veterans Advisory Committee and had been approved, and Bill 52, which 325 allows small henneries on residential property. Council Member Hustace mentioned 326 discussions about permitting residential use in mixed commercial-industrial zoned 327 areas, as well as Bill 83, which prohibits single-use plastics for food ware and service 328 ware. He further noted efforts to bring County administrators to the community for 329 engagement. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:18:36] 330 PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:27:19] 331 Vice Chair Nagata stated that he would approach each member individually and review 332 the items at the next meeting. 333 ANNOUNCEMENTS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:27:29] 334 ADJOURNMENT [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:27:37] 335 Vice Chair Nagata adjourned the meeting. 336 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s 337 South Kohala Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of 338 Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the 339 Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 340