HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-27 Kaʻū CDP Meeting Packet
County of Hawai‘i
KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor
David Kuahiwinui Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi Taylor Spurgeon Babette Morrow Jason Masters, Chair Vacant Catherine Williams Kaweni Ibarra Gary Davis
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Kaʻū 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: Tuesday, January 27, 2025
TIME: 5:00 P.M . – 7:00 P.M.
IN PERSON LOCATION: Nāʻālehu Community Center 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Road Nāʻālehu, HI 96772
ONLINE/ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/FMIl0TqQRKyNuZOrJgjjgg
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 Section 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 or in person at the Hilo or Kona Planning Department. 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 November 18, 2025.
III.PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: Pursuant to Section 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.Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction Group – The Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction Group will discuss the proposed acquisition with the Action
Committee and a representative from The Nature Conservancy.
2.Edmund C. Olson Trust No. 2 Highway Project Concept – Discussion and potential action regarding the communications drafted by Committee Members Ibarra and Morrow:
•Communication No. 2026-01
•Communication No. 2026-02
3.Kamaʻoa Road Bishop Estate Property Status – Discussion and potential action regarding grading and grubbing activities conducted on a large property
along Kamaʻoa Road.
4.Analysis of Kaʻū CDP Land Use Maps – Discussion and potential action to review and propose changes to the Kaʻū CDP Land Use Maps.
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)
•Planning Department staff to give update on Planning Department public notice procedures.
VII.PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS: Action Committee members will discuss potential
agenda items for the next meeting, including revisiting topics from meetings that did not have a quorum.
VIII.ANNOUNCEMENTS:
•Councilmember Michelle Galimba is sharing a County of Hawaiʻi Punaluʻu Survey
to gather the Kaʻū community’s manaʻo on the present and future of Punaluʻu. Take
the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CXZYRGS
•The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 24, 2026 at the Kaʻū District Gym Multi-Purpose Room.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE: This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/fol/88959/Row1.aspx. 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
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 4:30 p.m. 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.
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE JASON MASTERS, Chair Meeting Packet QR Code:
KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3
DRAFT MINUTES 4 November 18, 2025 5
CALL TO ORDER: 6
Chair Masters called the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) 7
meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the Ocean View Community 8 Center 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=7JVSoDTcOr4 11
ROLL CALL: 12
Members Present (in person): Babette Morrow, David Kuahiwinui, Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi, 13
Taylor Spurgeon, Catherine Williams, Kaweni Ibarra, Gary Davis, and Chair Jason Masters. 14
County Staff Present (in person): Maryam Palma and Kawelo Kalili. 15
County Staff Present (via Zoom): Janice Hata 16
There were approximately nine (9) members of the public in attendance – (3) in person and 17
(6) via Zoom. 18
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:39] 19
Committee Member Mokuhaliʻi moved to approve the September 23, 2025, minutes with 20 corrections: line 52 should read “County would take this step by step” instead of “Committee 21 would take this step by step,” line 88 should correct the name to “Espaniola,” and line 15 22
should note that Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi was absent. The motion was seconded by Committee 23
Member Morrow and approved with a unanimous aye voice vote. 24
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:54] 25
No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom. 26
BUSINESS: 27
1. Chair and Vice Chair Elections – Discussion and action to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair 28
for the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee for 2026. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 5:42] 29
Committee Member Morrow moved to nominate Jason Masters as Chair and herself as 30 Vice Chair. Committee Member Mokuhaliʻi seconded the motion. Chair Masters accepted 31 the role of Chair for 2026. 32
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of November 18, 2025 Page 2
Committee Member Davis moved to nominate Jason Masters as Chair and Kaʻohinani 33 Mokuhaliʻi as Vice Chair. Committee Member Ibarra seconded the motion. Chair Masters 34
accepted the role of Chair and Committee Member Mokuhaliʻi accepted the role of Vice 35
Chair for 2026. 36
A roll-call vote was taken for Jason Masters for Chair and received eight aye votes 37 (Morrow, Kuahiwinui, Mokuhaliʻi, Spurgoen, Williams, Ibarra, Davis, Masters). [SEE 38 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 9:18] 39
A roll-call vote was taken for Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi for Vice Chair and received eight aye 40
votes (Morrow, Kuahiwinui, Mokuhaliʻi, Spurgeon, Williams, Ibarra, Davis, Masters). 41 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 9:52] 42
2. Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction Group Report – The Hīlea Property Permitted43 Interaction Group will present its findings on the proposed acquisition. *Note: Committee 44
members may ask clarifying questions, but full discussion will be held at the next 45
meeting. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 10:29] 46
Committee Member Ibarra moved to present the Hīlea Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) 47 findings. Committee Member Morrow seconded the motion. 48
Committee Member Ibarra reported on a July site visit to the property with Committee 49
Member Williams and former Vice Chair Hanoa via The Nature Conservancy access 50
road. He reviewed the community hunting access program, weather tracking efforts in 51 collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi, and the property’s grazing license and lease 52 with Wally Andrade. He noted that The Nature Conservancy partners with the State to 53 access the State Forest Reserve and would be positioned to pursue land acquisition if 54
the property were offered for sale, subject to market value and secured funding. He 55
emphasized the organization’s focus on watershed protection, with no plans to divert or 56 relocate water. Committee Member Ibarra also reported on efforts to address Rapid 57 ʻŌhiʻa Death, noting observable differences in fenced areas. He stated that The Nature 58 Conservancy is under trustee oversight and outlined its primary goals of acquiring land, 59
holding and transferring property, and purchasing development rights from property 60
owners. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 11:05] 61
Committee Member Williams reported that extensive replanting of native forest species 62 was underway, with efforts focused on ʻōhiʻa health and watershed protection. She stated 63 that there was no diversion of water occurring on Conservancy land, addressing 64
concerns raised by a community member. She emphasized the value of the work being 65
done, including restoration of native species, exclusion of feral pigs, and management of 66 hunting licenses. Committee Member Ibarra added that former Vice Chair Hanoa 67 provided additional insights during the visit, noting his familiarity with the area from 68 having grown up there. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:54] 69
Chair Masters inquired about hunting access and was informed by Committee Member 70
Ibarra that additional information was available on The Nature Conservancy’s website. 71 Committee Member Ibarra also stated that the Olson Trust was the current landowner. 72
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of November 18, 2025 Page 3
In response to questions from Committee Member Kuahiwinui, Committee Member 73 Ibarra explained that access to the property was not limited to hunters and included 74
gathering activities, and Committee Member Williams added that a tour program was 75
available. Committee Member Ibarra further noted that a county road on the left side 76 provided public access. Committee Member Kuahiwinui requested additional access 77 information, and Chair Masters indicated that further discussion on the agenda item 78 would occur at the next meeting. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 15:20] 79
Committee Member Mokuhaliʻi stated that when the matter was first presented to the 80
CDP, it followed the awarding of PONC funds, at which time the group traveled to Oʻahu 81 to demonstrate intent to purchase the land should it become available. She noted that 82 no further action occurred after that, but the intent to acquire the property remained part 83 of the plan. She added that if the matter progressed further, clarification could be 84
requested. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 18:14] 85
Committee Member Davis asked about past funding, and Chair Masters responded that 86 the question would be addressed at the next meeting during discussion. Committee 87 Member Ibarra clarified that the parcel visited during the site visit was already owned by 88 The Nature Conservancy, but they were inquiring about the parcel below. [SEE 89
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 19:57] 90
3. Action Committee Orientation – Planning Department presentation regarding Action 91 Committee scope. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 21:23] 92
Chair Masters moved that the Planning Department provide a presentation regarding the 93 Action Committee scope. Committee Member Kuahiwinui seconded the motion. [SEE 94
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 21:36] 95
Staff presentation was given by Maryam Palma. See Communication No. 2025-16 for 96 the PowerPoint Presentation. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:14] 97
Committee Member Ibarra asked whether the adoption of the General Plan for 2045 98 would require the CDP to be redone. Ms. Palma responded that CDP’s are updated 99
independently, typically about every ten years. Chair Masters asked for an example of a 100
change or update that might be made to the CDP, and Ms. Palma noted that the current 101 Kaʻū CDP had just been updated. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 39:06] 102
Councilmember Galimba stated that there were items in the CDP that could be changed 103 in the General Plan. Ms. Palma responded that the General Plan was currently with 104
Council and recommended that comments be submitted there. She noted that Council 105
deliberations were scheduled for February 2026. Committee Member Mokuhaliʻi noted 106 that the population was growing and that several areas originally zoned for specific uses 107 were changing, including Nā‘ālehu, Ocean View, and Pāhala. Committee Member 108 Spurgeon requested clarification of the term “spot development” on page 38 of the Kaʻū 109
CDP. Ms. Palma explained that it referred to concentrating development within town 110
centers rather than scattering development throughout the area. Committee Member 111 Mokuhaliʻi requested that the committee review the CDP maps to propose changes and 112
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of November 18, 2025 Page 4
suggested bringing the agenda item back in January 2026. [SEE YOUTUBE 113 TIMESTAMP 41:06] 114
Chair Masters asked if there were any further questions or discussion, and none 115
occurred. He then asked the Committee if the CDP land use policy map review should 116 be placed on the agenda for the January 27, 2026, meeting, and the Committee agreed. 117 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 48:26] 118
4. Edmund C. Olson Trust No. 2 Highway Project Concept – Presentation and 119
discussion on whether to draft a letter in support of the Edmund C. Olson Trust No. 2 120
Highway Project Concept. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 49:26] 121 122 Chair Masters moved to hear a presentation from Olson Trust and to allow the Action 123 Committee time for discussion. Committee Member Ibarra seconded the motion. [SEE 124
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 49:51] 125
A presentation was provided by Mr. John Cross. He stated that he had given 126 presentations at the previous two meetings held in Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala. He explained 127 that in 2024, a new trustee inquired about highway development outside of Pāhala and 128 noted that the area contained appropriately State urban zoned land. He reported that he 129
met with the Planning Department, and provided a concept for a fuel station, coffee shop, 130
and convenience store along Highway 11, and that the Planning Department had already 131 submitted the General Plan maps to Council. He explained that, in order to proceed with 132 development, community support would be required, including presenting it to the Action 133 Committee and explaining why the General Plan and the recommendations made by 134
LUPAG would be altered. Once completed, the rezoning process and entitlement 135
reviews would begin. He stated that this was the status of the project and requested a 136 letter from the Action Committee recommending that the maps be changed to a medium-137 density urban designation. See Communication No. 2025-11 for the letter to the Action 138 Committee. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 50:12] 139
Mr. Cross stated that under the General Plan the property was currently designated as 140
State urban zone but was proposed to change to Important Agricultural Land, noting that 141 the site had been zoned urban for approximately 50–60 years. He requested that the 142 Action Committee recommend the project as one that was wanted and needed for the 143 Pāhala community and the Kaʻū District. He explained that the project site was located 144
approximately 0.6 miles northwest of Pāhala and that surveyor tape currently marked the 145
proposed highway entrance, which would be re-evaluated through a Department of 146 Transportation (DOT) traffic study. He added that a reduced speed limit was also being 147 considered. He stated that coffee production would remain on the property and that 148 existing monkeypod trees would be preserved as much as possible. He emphasized that 149
the project considered public interest, as well as proximity to community facilities and 150
services along the existing highway. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 53:54] 151
Mr. Cross also noted that the convenience store would include an educational 152 component highlighting the cultural and historical aspects of the area to educate visitors. 153
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of November 18, 2025 Page 5
He stated that public comments had expressed a desire for good food options nearby 154 and for public restrooms. He indicated that following the meeting, the project team would 155
return to the Planning Department and appear before the Planning Commission, and that 156
they would like to share the Committee’s testimony. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 157
59:02] 158
Mr. Cross identified Mr. Carl Okuyama as the project operator. Mr. Okuyama stated that 159 there were four stores and three gas stations. Ms. Brenda Iokepa-Moses noted that the 160
team had met with the high school Vice Principal, who expressed interest in adding 161
recycling to the proposed facility. A presentation would be given to juniors and seniors to 162 obtain their feedback. Ms. Iokepa-Moses also shared that shuttles could operate possibly 163 three days a week at certain times and could also transport seniors from Ocean View. 164 Committee Member Davis noted that the County’s senior centers already organize field 165
trips and have a county van available. Committee Member Mokuhaliʻi raised concerns 166
regarding safety for children and foot traffic. Ms. Iokepa-Moses responded that the 167 community had indicated the location was ideal, keeping it away from residential areas, 168 and that a shuttle remained a viable option. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:04:44] 169
Committee Member Ibarra asked if the traffic study had been completed, and Ms. Iokepa-170
Moses responded that it had not. He recommended the addition of a sidewalk and 171
advocated improvements to the highway. Ms. Iokepa-Moses expressed concerns about 172 the financial feasibility of these improvements. Committee Member Ibarra suggested 173 creating a trail off the road. Several Committee Members expressed concerns regarding 174 vehicular and foot traffic to the proposed project and related safety issues. A brief 175
discussion about the zoning occurred. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:12:40] 176
Chair Masters stated that he remained concerned about the project due to its location 177 adjacent to the highway and noted that he was also considering future development of 178 the entire parcel. Ms. Iokepa-Moses stated that the Olson Trust owned approximately 85 179 acres and that only a small portion of the property was being developed. She explained 180
that the proposed location was determined to be the most logical. Mr. Okuyama briefly 181
described his reasoning for the development. All Committee Members expressed 182 concern regarding the safety of the sidewalk. Chair Masters discussed the possibility of 183 lowering the speed limit but noted concerns regarding large trucks slowing down and 184 then accelerating. He also stated that traffic could back up unless an additional lane was 185
added. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:29:17] 186
Committee Member Ibarra moved to draft a letter in support. Committee Member Davis 187 seconded the motion. A brief discussion occurred. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 188
1:46:09] 189
Committee Member Ibarra withdrew his motion. The Committee Members agreed that 190
Committee Member Ibarra would draft the letter of support and present it at the next 191
Action Committee meeting prior to finalization. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:08:36] 192
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of November 18, 2025 Page 6
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 193 2:09:27] 194
No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom. 195
THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 196
2:09:56] 197
Council Member Galimba reported on issues in Ocean View. She stated that the County 198 conducted a Laulima survey to gather community input on priorities and vision, noting that 199
the number one issue identified was dogs. She reported that she had been advocating for 200
animal control services to address wandering and feral dogs. While some efforts had been 201 made, she requested community feedback and mentioned the possibility of establishing a 202 small animal control shelter in Ocean View. She also discussed conversations with the 203 Mayor regarding the potential for a full police station in the area, noting that the closest 204
station is currently in Nā‘ālehu. 205
Council Member Galimba also reported that she was working with fellow Council Members 206 on Bill 83, which would require food service providers to use compostable containers. She 207 stated that the bill addressed concerns about the Waikōloa landfill filling up rapidly and could 208 help initiate a composting program. She noted that students from Ka‘ū High School planned 209
to support Bill 83. 210
Additional issues discussed included wastewater projects in Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu, as well 211 as renovations in Hilo and Kona. She also reported on the Punalu‘u area, stating that the 212 developer had withdrawn the Special Management Area (SMA) application. She noted that 213 policies in the Ka‘ū Community Development Plan converged in Punalu‘u and stated that it 214
was an appropriate time to begin planning efforts for the area. 215
Council Member Galimba stated that she was developing a survey to gather community 216 concerns and input, which was expected to be distributed within the next few weeks. She 217 noted that once survey results were received, she would return for further discussion. She 218 stated that the survey would be shared through her newsletter, County website, and Ka‘ū 219
News. She also reported that she was working with the Research and Development 220
Department, which had agreed to attend community events to engage with residents and 221 collect feedback. 222
PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:21:15] 223
1. Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction Group Discussion 224
2. Analysis of the CDP Land Use Policy Maps Discussion 225
3. Kamaʻoa Road Unpermitted Grading and Excavation Progress Report 226
Ms. Elsa Dedman reported that she followed up with the Department of Public Works 227 (DPW) and was informed that the department currently has only two engineers. She 228 stated that one engineer was assigned to East Hawaiʻi and was fully occupied, while 229
the other was working extensively on the Pāhala Wastewater Treatment System. As 230
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of November 18, 2025 Page 7
a result, DPW was unable to conduct the necessary research and field work at this 231 time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:23:14] 232
ANNOUNCEMENTS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:25:01] 233
1. The Environmental Notice – Honu‘apo Estuary Wetland Restoration Project – Draft 234 EA (AFNSI): https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/The_Environmental_Notice/2025-10-235 08-TEN.pdf 236
2. The Environmental Notice – Development of the Kaʻū Cultural Center – Draft EA 237
(AFNSI): https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/The_Environmental_Notice/2025-11-08-238 TEN.pdf 239
3. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 27, 2026, at the Nā‘ālehu 240 Community Center. 241
4. Chair Masters reported that Nohopapa Hawaiʻi LLC held an informational meeting 242
and requested community input regarding the future of Kiolakaʻa and the surrounding 243 area where cattle were historically pushed into the water to swim out to the boats. He 244 stated that additional meetings would be held as part of a 12-month process and that 245 the group was working with the Ala Kahakai Trail Association. He noted that PONC 246 had acquired the land to protect cultural and historic resources. Chair Masters 247
reported that most attendees expressed concerns about protecting coastal areas and 248 significant cave systems while ensuring that Kaʻū residents’ ability to fish and gather 249 along the coast would not be limited. 250
ADJOURNMENT: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:27:49] 251
Chair Masters adjourned this meeting at 7:33 p.m. 252
These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kaʻū 253 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 254 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 255 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing cdp@hawaiicounty.gov. 256
Communication No. 2025-12
Communication No. 2025-13
Communication No. 2025-14
November 18, 2025
RE: Letter in Support of the Proposed Pāhala Center along Hawaiʻi Route 11
Pāhala, Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi
Tax Map Key: (3)9-6-012: 012 (por.)
To whom it may concern,
The Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee (CDPAC) has heard presentations from
the Olson Trust on July 22, September 23, and November 18, 2025 in the communities of Pāhala,
Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View, regarding their proposed Pāhala Center at TMK (3)9-6-012: 012 (por.),
which is classified as part of the John Bull Subdivision.
The project proposes to develop a coffee shop, convenience store, fuel station, and public
restaurants along Hawaiʻi Route 11 near the Kamani Street entrance to Pāhala. Under the current
Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) the parcel is classified as Low Density Urban (ldu) per
the County of Hawaiʻi (COH) 2005 General Plan, and is zoned as Agriculture (A-20a) per County of
Hawaii Chapter 25. To allow for this development, the Olson Trust proposes to request a
modification of the LUPAG to Medium Density Urban (mdu) from the Planning Commission for an
8-10 acre portion of the parcel and apply for that to be re-zoned to Village Commercial (CV-10)
through the COH. The Olson Trust proposes to use 122,880 square feet, or approximately 2.82 acres,
for their proposed development.
The Kaʻū CDPAC offers the following comments on community input and Kaʻū CDP compliance.
Community Input
Given the existing settlement pattern of Pāhala, its current urban center designated through the
Kaʻū CDP Land Use Policy lacks sufficient infrastructure to support this project. Thus, the Kaʻū
CDPAC notes that the project does not align with the current CDP Land Use Policy, which designates
the area as Important Agricultural Lands. However, multiple community members have identified
the proposed project area as a viable place to provide the services proposed by the Olson Trust,
with the understanding that the remaining 77 acres of this parcel will remain under an LUPAG
designation of ldu and a COH zoning of A-20a, and that retail facilities will utilize local products (i.e.
crops from local farmers, etc.). The services proposed by the Olson Trust, such as a fuel station, will
provide desired services to the residents of Pāhala, who currently live at least 33 miles away from
an accessible fuel station.
As such, community input has demonstrated alignment with Section 14.1 of the 2005 General Plan,
which is cited in the Kaʻū CDP and states:
“The urban centers include high, medium and low density designations. These centers and clusters
provide physical, social, governmental and economic concentrations so that the total activities of the
community can be more readily and easily conducted [...]. The future improvement and development
Communication No. 2026-01
objectives are directed toward making urban and rural centers more efficient, livable, and safe.
Growth should be encouraged in terms of renewing older areas or extending existing areas. The
creation of new urban and rural centers should be initiated only when it is in the public interest and
must be accompanied by commitments from both government and the private sector for the
development of basic community and public facilities and services. Infrastructure costs less when
new residential areas are located near existing highways, water and sewer lines, and employment
centers.”
Kaʻū CDP Compliance
In accordance with the Kaʻū CDP, the proposed actions would align with the following provisions:
Section 1.5.1 Community Objectives
Objective 11: Increase the number and diversity of income sources for residents, including jobs and
entrepreneurial opportunities that complement Ka‘ū’s ecology, culture, and evolving demographics.
Objective 12: Establish or expand retail, service, dining, and entertainment centers in rural villages
and towns capable of supporting Ka‘ū-appropriate growth.
Section 3.4 Land Use Policy
Policy 2: Concentrate commercial uses within and surrounding central core areas in Pāhala,
Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View and do not allow strip or spot commercial development outside of the
designated urban areas. (GP 14.3.3(e), 14.3.5.9.2(a, b))
Section 6.1.3 Community-Based, Collaborative Actions
Community Action 23: Coordinate regional strategies to increase “buying local.”
Section 6.3.3 County Action
Policy 141: Assist in the promotion of products produced in Ka‘ū. (GP 2.3(t))
Closing Remarks
The Kaʻū CDP supports future requests to alter the current LUPAG and rezone the parcel as relevant
to proposed commitments presented by the Olson Trust for the Pāhala Center development, and
supported by community members for an approximate 8-10 acre portion of TMK (3)9-6-012: 012.
Mahalo for your time. The Kaʻū CDP looks forward to seeing our comments taken into
consideration and seeing the input from our community in Pāhala addressed.
1
Memo to Ka’ū CDP Action Committee Members
Re: Proposal by Olson Trust for Pahala Center on Highway 11
January 10, 2026
From Babette Morrow
On November 18, Committee member Ibarra provided to the Committee members a
proposed letter of support for this project. I appreciate the information he provided with a
detailed explanation of the project, community input, and CDP analysis.
I feel that it is premature to support the proposed development, since application hasn’t
been made yet to the Planning Department. We’ve seen different proposals over the last
several months, and I would like to see the final application to know what is actually being
submitted. However, I am willing to provide CDP compliance comments from the Action
Committee to the applicant based on what we know so far.
Land Use Policy
This proposed development area is currently designated as Important Agricultural Land in
the Ka’ū CDP and Low Density Urban in the County General Plan. Apparently the applicant
will be requesting a change in the Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) in the
General Plan to Medium Density Urban for a portion of the site. I would like to see more
justification from the applicant for changing this from Important Ag Land as found in
the Ka’ū CDP.
Policy 7 in Section 3.4 of the Ka’ū CDP states “Future land use decisions shall be
consistent with the land use policy map boundaries, designations, and policies herein,
unless the CDP and the General Plan are in direct conflict.” Policy 15 in Section 3.4
proposes County action to amend the General Plan LUPAG and, as needed, State Land Use
boundaries, to conform with the official Ka’ū CDP Land Use Policy Map. The applicant is
proposing to change the LUPAG from Low Density Urban to Medium Density Urban,
which is taking the General Plan further away from the land use policies of the Ka’ū
CDP.
The Land Use Category closest to Important Ag Land in the Ka’ū CDP is Low Density Urban.
Policy 8 in Section 3.4 of the CDP states that changes of zone in LDU shall only be
permitted to Single Family Residential, Multiple Family Residential, Residential-
Commercial Mixed Use, or Open. Apparently none of these categories would allow the
proposed Pahala development, and thus the applicant is requesting a higher use
category.
Communication No. 2026-02
2
Policy 2 of Section 3.4 advises to “Concentrate commercial uses within and surrounding
central core areas in Pāhala and do not allow strip or spot commercial development
outside of the designated urban areas.” The proposed development is not located in the
central core area in Pāhala and is adjacent to Low Density Urban. The applicant is
requesting a change to Medium Density Urban, but currently the only Medium Density
Urban areas in Pāhala are located in the current town core at the intersection of
Kamani Street and Pikake Street, and at the area around Maile Street and Pikake
Street. This would seem to indicate that the proposed development is strip or spot
commercial development.
Appendix 5 of the Ka’ū CDP includes summaries of the rationale behind each of the CDP
policies and advocacy strategies. Table 1 recommends that TMK 396012012 be designated
Important Agriculture because “connections to town over channel are impractical and the
land is planted in coffee” and TMK 396012027 be designated Important Agriculture
because “connections to town over channel are impractical and LDU areas are outside SLU
Urban district”. Additionally, it recommends that neighborhoods outside historical and
existing commercial areas be designated LDU in order to concentrate more intensive
development (including commercial) in the center of town next to existing non-residential
uses. The applicant should provide justification for not complying with these
rationales in the Ka’ū CDP.
I agree with AC Member Ibarra that this project supports Section 1.5.1. Community
Objectives. Objective 11: Increase the number and diversity of income sources for
residents, including jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that complement Ka’ū’s
ecology, culture, and evolving demographics.
Preferred Settlement Patterns
3.3 Community Objectives. Objective 1: concentrate new commercial development in
compact, walkable, mixed-use town/village centers. This proposed development is not
located in the town center. It is on the highway, almost a mile from the existing town
center, and is not safely walkable for potential local customers such as school
children and kupuna. People walking from Pāhala to the project would have to walk
along the highway from Kamani Street.
3.3 Community Objectives. Objective 2: Preserve prime and other viable agricultural lands.
I understand that the current proposal is for development of approximately three
acres of the 77 acres in the two TMKs, although in one meeting they indicated that
eight acres would be part of the application. Apparently, the applicant will include a
3
plan to allow the remaining land to remain designated as Agricultural. I would like this
to be clarified.
3.3 Community Objectives. Objective 4: Protect, restore, and enhance Ka’ū’s unique
cultural assets, including archeological and historic sites and historic buildings.
Apparently there are no identified cultural assets on the site.
3.3 Community Objectives. Objective 12: Establish or expand retail, service, dining, and
entertainment centers in rural villages and towns capable of supporting Ka’ū-appropriate
growth. This development will expand services in an area currently lacking sufficient
service, however it is not located in the town that it is supposed to serve.
Just a reminder, as Action Committee members our responsibility is not to decide whether
or not we like a project, but to evaluate whether or not a project complies with the goals
and policies of the CDP and to make recommendations to the Planning Director and/or the
Planning Commission. The Ka’ū CDP was developed over ten years of many many public
meetings with the community, and we value the final adopted plan. In materials that I
received when I first joined the Action Committee in 2022, it states : “The overarching role
of an Action Committee is to be a proactive, community-based steward for the
implementation of their respective CDP. The Action Committee will provide ongoing
feedback, advocacy, and action to advance implementation of the CDP goals and
objectives and acts in an advisory capacity to the Planning Director.”
Input from the community has shown strong support for the proposed project, especially
since it will provide needed jobs and services to the Pāhala area. However, I would be more
inclined to support the development as an AC member once I see an official application
and see how the applicant is responding to the goals and policies of the CDP.
Ka‘ū Community Development Plan 43
Figure 2: Ka‘ū CDP Land Use Policy Map: Regional
Communication No. 2026-03
44 Ka‘ū Community Development Plan
Figure 3: Ka‘ū CDP Land Use Policy Map: Pāhala
Ka‘ū Community Development Plan 45
Figure 4: Ka‘ū CDP Land Use Policy Map: Nāʻālehu
46 Ka‘ū Community Development Plan
Figure 5: Ka‘ū CDP Land Use Policy Map: Wai‘ōhinu
Ka‘ū Community Development Plan 47
Figure 6: Ka‘ū CDP Land Use Policy Map: Discovery Harbour, Mark Twain, & Green Sands
48 Ka‘ū Community Development Plan
Figure 7: Ka‘ū CDP Land Use Policy Map: Ocean View
Communication No. 2026-04