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Home My WebLink About2025-12-09 KCDP Minutes Draft KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 December 9, 2025 5 Call to Order 6 Chair John Pelletier called the meeting of the Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP) Action 7 Committee (AC) to order at 12:04 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 8 B2 Conference Room and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://youtu.be/lBPFGy2dB8M?si=hzFhOLpl4v99zkJf 11 Roll Call 12 Members Present (in person): Nancy Pisicchio (Vice Chair), John Pelletier (Chair), Raymond (RJ) Kirchner, 13 and Charla Thompson 14 Members Present (via Zoom): Charles Young and David Huerta 15 Members Absent: Roselyn Molina 16 Planning Department Staff Present (in person): Maryam Palma, Janice Hata, and Kawelo Kalili 17 There were approximately four members of the public in attendance (none in person and four via Zoom). 18 Approval of Minutes 19 Chair Pelletier requested approval of the November 12, 2025 draft meeting minutes. Vice Chair Pisicchio 20 moved to approve the minutes, and Committee Member Kirchner seconded the motion. The Committee 21 voted unanimously to approve the November 12 draft meeting minutes. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 22 2:18] 23 Public Testimony on Agenda Items 24 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on agenda items. No members of the public provided testimony 25 at this time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:55] 26 Business 27 1. Overview of the Special Management Area (SMA) Permit Process – Planning Department staff will 28 provide a general overview of the SMA permit process, followed by Committee discussion. 29 This item was called to order at 12:07 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 3:33] 30 Senior SMA Planner Alex Roy provided an overview of the State and County framework for Special 31 Management Area (SMA) regulation. Key points included: 32 • The shoreline is certified by DLNR as the upper reaches of the wash of the waves under normal 33 high tide conditions (often identified by a rack line). County SMA jurisdiction extends from the 34 certified shoreline inland; in-water work is under State jurisdiction. 35 • On Hawaiʻi Island, SMA typically extends about 300 feet inland but is broader in some areas 36 (e.g., Waipiʻo, parts of Kona and Puna). 37 • Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 205A guides SMA objectives, including protection of 38 coastal resources, cultural and historic sites, public access (both lateral along the shore and 39 mauka-to-makai access), recreation, fisheries, and public safety. Any development must be 40 consistent with 205A, the County General Plan, community development plans (including the 41 Kona CDP), and zoning. 42 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 9, 2025 2 • “Development” includes placement of solid material, grading, dredging, construction or 43 alteration of structures, and changes in land use intensity (e.g., subdivision). 44 • Certain activities may be exempt, such as: 45 o Single-family residences on non-shoreline parcels under specified size and value 46 thresholds; 47 o Routine road and highway maintenance within existing rights-of-way; 48 o Improvements related to established uses (e.g., adding PV to resort roofs); 49 o Structural/non-structural improvements to existing dwellings or commercial structures 50 that do not expand ground disturbance. 51 • The Planning Director may still require an SMA permit if an otherwise exempt action would 52 cause cumulative or significant impacts. 53 • Permit tiers and valuation thresholds: 54 o SMA exemption/short form (SFA/SAA): For exempt actions, often processed 55 concurrently with building permits. 56 o SMA Minor: For development below valuation thresholds (with different limits for 57 shoreline vs. non-shoreline parcels). These are approved by the Planning Director. 58 o SMA Major / SMA Use Permit: Required when valuation exceeds thresholds or impacts 59 are significant. SMA Majors are heard and decided by the appropriate Planning 60 Commission (Windward or Leeward). The Planning Department prepares a background 61 and recommendation report, but the Planning Commission has final authority to 62 approve, deny, or condition the permit. 63 • SMA permits typically include standard conditions (e.g., compliance with grading, building, and 64 DOH regulations) and project-specific conditions (e.g., public access easements; 65 archaeological monitoring; view plane protections). Conditions are now written more clearly 66 than in older permits to ensure enforceability. 67 Committee discussion and questions included: 68 • Who sets valuation thresholds (answer: the State Office of Planning and Sustainable 69 Development under HRS 205A; thresholds were recently increased for non-shoreline projects). 70 • How community input is gathered during review for SMA Majors and the importance of proactive 71 community engagement. 72 • Differences in SMA practices across counties, including City and County of Honolulu’s 73 requirement for Council approval of SMA permits and the trade-offs of that approach. 74 • How shoreline setbacks changed from 20 feet to a minimum 40 feet in 2020, and that there is 75 no “grandfathering” for new development; shoreline setback variances are possible but must 76 demonstrate hardship and are decided by the Planning Commission. 77 • Treatment of downtown Kailua-Kona renovations, and how the Planning Director may elevate 78 projects (e.g., significant commercial redevelopments) to the SMA Major level to ensure full 79 public review. 80 • Consideration of groundwater, anchialine ponds, and subsurface flows in SMA review, 81 particularly near the shoreline; Roy noted staff work closely with DLNR and other agencies to 82 address these issues. 83 Roy emphasized that SMA review is often the only comprehensive environmental review for a coastal 84 project and that the Department strives to use this process to minimize and mitigate impacts rather 85 than simply stop development. 86 No formal action was taken. 87 This item concluded at 1:07 p.m. 88 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 9, 2025 3 2. Kona Open Space Network (KOSN) Update – Vice Chair Pisicchio will provide a summary of the 89 recent KOSN public meeting, with discussion to follow. 90 This item was called to order at 1:07 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:03:41] 91 Vice Chair Pisicchio reported on the KOSN public meeting held the previous week at Makaʻeo Pavilion: 92 • Attendance was strong, with a notable presence of long-time community members, former and 93 current Council members, and individuals involved in earlier CDP and community processes. 94 • Few attendees had participated in the first KOSN meeting, suggesting both a shift in participants 95 and that some earlier participants may not have felt compelled to attend a follow-up. 96 • Some attendees later expressed concerns about audio and visual quality, noting difficulty 97 seeing the display and hearing the presentation; this was flagged as a lesson for future 98 community meetings. 99 • The consulting team did not present a tangible draft plan document at the meeting, and next 100 steps and final products remain unclear. 101 No formal action was taken. 102 This item concluded at 1:21 p.m. 103 3. Keauhou Aquifer System Area Groundwater Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) – Committee 104 Member Charles Young will provide an update on recent efforts related to the AMP, followed by 105 discussion and potential action. 106 This item was called to order at 1:21 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:17:48] 107 Committee Member Young reported that: 108 • The expert panels convened under the Keauhou Aquifer System Area Groundwater AMP 109 (including hydrologic, cultural, and other technical groups) have completed their individual 110 summaries, which have been shared previously with the AC. 111 • The next step is a joint meeting of all expert panels, including Native Hawaiian and cultural 112 representatives, scheduled for January 12, 2026. This meeting will be by invitation to allow 113 focused discussion within limited time and space. 114 • The goal of the joint meeting is to develop consensus recommendations that can be forwarded 115 to the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) as part of the AMP. 116 Committee Member Young expressed hope that any recommendations emerging from the January 117 meeting would be made public prior to CWRM action so that the community and the Kona CDP AC 118 can review and potentially provide input. 119 Committee members inquired whether the January meeting would be open to the public (it will not) and 120 whether individuals could be added to the contact list to receive materials and updates. Young indicated 121 he would follow up regarding possible distribution of materials and add interested parties to circulation 122 lists where feasible. 123 No formal action was taken. 124 This item concluded at 1:26 p.m. 125 4. Tree City USA Program Update – Committee Member Thompson will provide an update on the 126 County’s Tree City USA designation and related efforts, with discussion and potential action to follow. 127 This item was called to order at 1:26 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:22:04] 128 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 9, 2025 4 Committee Member Thompson reported substantial progress toward re-establishing Hawaiʻi County’s 129 Tree City USA designation: 130 • The Arborist Advisory Committee (AAC), required as the “tree board” under Tree City USA 131 standards, has been largely appointed. An initial AAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 132 December 11, which is needed to demonstrate an active advisory body before the program 133 deadline. 134 • The County has met the requirement to demonstrate at least $2 per capita in annual 135 expenditures related to community trees (planting, maintenance, removal, etc.). 136 • The County has documented Arbor Day observances and received a mayoral proclamation 137 supporting Arbor Day activities, satisfying another Tree City USA standard. 138 Committee Member Thompson plans to complete the application following the AAC meeting and route 139 it to the Mayor for signature prior to submitting the application. 140 Committee Member Thompson and Vice Chair Pisicchio suggested that, once designation is secured, 141 the County and AC pursue the development of a County tree planting plan – using Maui’s current effort 142 as a model – that identifies eco-zones and recommended species. They also recommended exploring 143 a public right-of-way/street tree ordinance for Kona to guide the planting, management, and protection 144 of trees along roadways and within urban corridors. 145 No formal action was taken. 146 This item concluded at 1:35 p.m. 147 5. Report on Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 63, Relating to Dwellings – Chair Pelletier will provide an 148 update on Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 63 (Draft 2), which proposes to allow residential dwellings within 149 the Industrial-Commercial Mixed Use (MCX) district, followed by discussion and potential action. 150 This item was called to order at 1:35 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:31:14] 151 Committee Member Pelletier summarized recent County Council proceedings on Bill 63 (Draft 2): 152 • The AC previously submitted written testimony expressing concerns about allowing dwellings 153 in MCX without corresponding infrastructure, design, and affordability standards. 154 • Chair Pelletier and Vice Chair Pisicchio attended two Council meetings where Bill 63 appeared 155 on the agenda; in both cases the bill was deferred after several hours of discussion on other 156 matters and did not move forward. 157 • Draft 2 of the bill currently incorporates a setback change requested by Civil Defense to align 158 with MG (general industrial) zoning, but no other substantive amendments have yet been 159 adopted. 160 • A communication (not yet formally introduced as an amendment) has been circulated that would 161 remove single-family dwellings from the bill; however, full amendment language is still being 162 developed by the Planning Director and Councilmember Onishi, with Councilmember Inaba 163 indicating amendments may be ready for a January 7, 2026 Council meeting. 164 Committee members briefly discussed possible connections between Bill 63 and plans for the new 165 Queen’s hospital and clinic, Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust lands, and sewer versus septic service, but 166 emphasized that the AC is responding to the bill’s general policy implications rather than advocating 167 for or against any specific project. 168 Bill 63 remains on first reading and deferred; the AC intends to review any forthcoming amendments 169 and may offer additional testimony. Members were encouraged to attend Council meetings and testify 170 as individuals if they share concerns. 171 This item concluded at 1:47 p.m. 172 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 9, 2025 5 6. Proposal to Invite the Planning Director to a Future Meeting – The Committee will discuss inviting 173 the Planning Director to provide an update on the AC’s request for funding to support comprehensive 174 review studies. Potential action to follow. 175 This item was called to order at 1:47 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:43:03] 176 The Committee discussed a prior letter sent to the Planning Director requesting funding and support 177 for gray infrastructure and related technical studies (e.g., transportation, infrastructure capacity, 178 population and land use data) needed to prepare for a comprehensive review and update of the Kona 179 CDP following adoption of the County General Plan. 180 Members agreed it would be helpful to receive a direct update from the Planning Director regarding: 181 • How the Department plans to sequence CDP updates after completion of the General Plan; 182 • What resources may be available to support Kona-specific studies; and 183 • How the AC will be involved in scoping and guiding this work. 184 Planning staff reported that the Director is willing to attend in person, and that February 2026 appears 185 to be a likely timeframe for his visit. 186 Committee Member Kirchner made a motion to invite the Planning Director to attend the February 2026 187 Kona CDP Action Committee meeting to respond to the AC’s letter regarding funding and support for 188 comprehensive CDP update studies. Vice Chair Pisicchio seconded the motion, and the motion carried 189 unanimously by voice vote. 190 This item concluded at 1:51 p.m. 191 7. Kona CDP Action Committee 2026 Meeting Schedule – The Committee will review and consider 192 adopting the proposed meeting schedule for 2026. Discussion and potential action. 193 This item was called to order at 1:51 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:47:25] 194 Key points included: 195 • Midday meetings can be difficult for many members of the public to attend; some AC members 196 suggested exploring late-afternoon or evening meetings. 197 • Other CDP Action Committees meet in the evenings, and Planning staff confirmed they are 198 able to support evening meetings, though staff travel from Hilo and venue availability must be 199 considered. 200 • Members discussed the idea of holding quarterly evening meetings in community locations 201 (e.g., Hōnaunau/Yano Hall and other South Kona venues) relevant to agenda topics while 202 maintaining other meetings at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, to reach more residents across 203 the district. 204 • Planning staff offered to send a poll to AC members to assess availability and preferences, and 205 to work with the Mayor’s office to reserve venues in advance (including use of Building G at the 206 Civic Center). 207 No formal action on a revised schedule was taken at this meeting. Staff will circulate a scheduling poll 208 and return with any proposed changes at a future meeting. 209 This item concluded at 2:05 p.m. 210 Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 211 No public testimony was provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:01:44] 212 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of December 9, 2025 6 Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 213 No third-party reports or presentations from government officials were provided. [SEE YOUTUBE 214 TIMESTAMP 2:02:04] 215 Proposed New Business 216 The Committee identified several items for future agendas, including: 217 1. Redevelopment of downtown Kailua Kona 218 2. Redesign and alignment of Kahului-Keauhou Parkway and Lako Street 219 Announcements 220 1. Board and Commission Vacancies – The County is currently seeking applicants for the Kona CDP 221 Action Committee and the Cultural Resources Commission and requests assistance in spreading 222 the word to interested community members. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office 223 website at: 224 https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions/boards-and-commissions-225 application 226 2. Committee Acknowledgements – Members thanked former Chair Charles Young for his years of 227 service and leadership and welcomed Chair Pelletier in his new role. Committee Member David 228 Huerta announced his intent to resign from the AC at the end of December 2025. Members 229 expressed appreciation for his service and encouraged him to remain engaged as his schedule 230 allows. 231 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:14:55] 232 Adjournment 233 Chair Pelletier adjourned this meeting at 2:22 p.m. 234 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona Community 235 Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository. These 236 documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing 237 CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 238