HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-10 KCDP Meeting Packet
County of Hawai‘i
KONA 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
John Pelletier, Chair Raymond Kirchner
Vacant Shane Palacat-Nelsen Charles Young Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair Charla Thompson Vacant Roselyn Molina
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 92-3.7 and 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, March 10, 2026
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, B2 Conference Room
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/v2QZv267SAOLYOBfYvlKIA
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.
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. 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.
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AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES – The AC will consider approving the draft minutes from
the February 10, 2026 meeting.
III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS – Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons may provide oral testimony either at this time or when the applicable agenda item is called. Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per agenda item.
IV. THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS – Pursuant to Act 72 (Senate
Bill 405), the AC may receive and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included in a publicly noticed agenda. The AC may only make decisions on matters originally raised by third-party reports from any government official at a later meeting, where the agenda provides notice of decision-making on the matter.
V. BUSINESS
1. Report from Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow about:
• The status of legislation regulating bed and breakfast operations;
• The Planning Department’s process for reviewing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) proposals;
• Opportunities for enhanced communication and collaboration between the Planning Department and the AC; and
• General discussion regarding Concurrency Zone Proposed Roads, identified on the Concurrency Map (Figure 4-3) of the Kona CDP
2. Proposed Testimony on Senate Bills 2336 and 2372: The Committee will discuss Senate Bill 2336 and Senate Bill 2372, both relating to trees, and consider whether
to submit testimony. Discussion and potential action.
VI. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA – Pursuant to Act 53 (Senate Bill 869), the Committee may receive public testimony on matters not listed on this agenda. Testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
VII. PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS – The AC will discuss potential agenda items for the next
meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 63 (Draft 3), relating to dwellings, passed 2nd and final reading on February 18, 2026.
• The Environmental Notice (February 23, 2026): Department of Hawaiian Home Lands North Kona Wells – Keauhou Well Site and Kahaluʻu Storage Tanks Project – Final Environmental Assessment Publication and Finding of No Significant Impact can be accessed using the following link:
https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/Doc_Library/2026-02-23-HA-FEA-North-Kona-
Keauhou-Well-Site-and-Kahaluu-Storage-Tanks.pdf
• The Planning Department is seeking applicants for the Kona CDP Action Committee. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at:
https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions
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IX. ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE: This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning
Department’s Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the
County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/fol/9059/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.
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
JOHN PELLETIER, Chair
Meeting Packet QR Code:
KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1
ACTION COMMITTEE 2
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3
DRAFT MINUTES 4
February 10, 2026 5
Call to Order 6
Chair John Pelletier called the meeting of the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) 7
Action Committee (AC) to order at 12:20 p.m. The meeting was held in person at the West 8
Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Council Meeting Room A, and online via the Zoom platform. 9
The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10
https://youtu.be/3P65J8V_hgg?si=1scR-qJIgdlEtUDv 11
Roll Call 12
Members Present (in person): 13
• John Pelletier (Chair) 14
• Nancy Pisicchio (Vice Chair) 15
• Raymond “RJ” Kirchner 16
• Charla Thompson 17
• Shane Palacat-Nelsen 18
Members Present (via Zoom): None 19
Members Absent: 20
• Charles Young 21
• Roselyn Molina 22
Planning Department Staff Present (in person): 23
• Janice Hata 24
• Jessica Lahip 25
Planning Department Staff Present (via Zoom): 26
• Elizabeth August 27
Other County Representatives Present: 28
• Jeffrey Darrow, Planning Director 29
• Michelle Ahn, Deputy Planning Director 30
• Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel (via Zoom) 31
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 10, 2026 2
There were approximately 12 members of the public in attendance (three in person and nine 32
via Zoom). 33
Approval of Minutes 34
Chair Pelletier requested approval of the January 13, 2026 draft meeting minutes. 35
Vice Chair Pisicchio moved to approve the January 13, 2026 minutes. Committee Member 36
Kirchner seconded the motion. There being no discussion or corrections, the Committee 37
voted unanimously to approve the January 13, 2026 draft meeting minutes. [SEE YOUTUBE 38
TIMESTAMP 02:56] 39
Public Testimony on Agenda Items 40
Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on agenda items. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 41
03:28] 42
Announcements 43
1. Welcome to New Member – Chair Pelletier welcomed returning AC member Shane 44
Palacat-Nelsen, noting his previous years of service on the Kona CDP AC and long 45
involvement in community planning dating back to the mid-1990s. Committee Member 46
Nelsen shared that community development is his “hobby” and that he looks forward to 47
helping interpret policy and support land-use improvements. 48
2. Board and Commission Vacancies – Chair Pelletier announced that the Planning 49
Department is continuing to seek applicants for the Kona CDP Action Committee and 50
requested assistance in spreading the word to interested community members. 51
Applications are available on the Mayor’s Boards and Commissions webpage: 52
https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions 53
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 04:06] 54
Business 55
1. Update of the Kona CDP – The AC will discuss with Director Darrow the future approach 56
and potential timeline for updating the Kona CDP, in relation to the AC’s October 30, 57
2025 letter requesting funding to support a comprehensive review and update of the 58
2008 Kona CDP, as amended September 2019. Discussion and potential next steps. 59
This item was called to order at 12:27 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 05:55] 60
Chair Pelletier called for public testimony. No public testimony was provided at this time. 61
Planning Director Darrow described current constraints and priorities for long-range 62
planning: 63
• Budget and staffing limits: In recent years the Department has been required to 64
hold a “status quo” budget, with no new positions and several federally funded 65
positions (including long-range planners and support staff) lost when federal funding 66
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 10, 2026 3
changed. Requests to convert those positions to general fund have not yet been 67
funded. As a result, the Department has limited capacity to initiate major planning 68
processes. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 08:12] 69
• CDP update sequencing: When reviewing all CDPs island-wide, the South Hilo area 70
stands out as having the oldest plan (a 1970 document predating the CDP 71
framework). The Department has requested funding in this year’s budget to initiate a 72
South Hilo update. After that, Director Darrow anticipates that Kona, North Kohala, 73
and South Kohala CDPs would be among the next priorities, given the 2008 adoption 74
date and subsequent amendments. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 09:37] 75
• Use of the existing Kona CDP: Darrow emphasized that the Kona CDP remains an 76
“award-winning” and widely used plan that introduced new planning tools to Hawaiʻi 77
County (e.g., Transit-Oriented Development [TOD] concepts and multimodal 78
transportation planning). Staff rely on the plan regularly to evaluate consistency of 79
proposed developments. Some projects do not proceed when they conflict with CDP 80
policies. He suggested that future work may focus on targeted amendments rather 81
than a complete rewrite. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:21] 82
Vice Chair Pisicchio stressed the need for gray infrastructure studies, particularly a 83
transportation study that updates traffic counts, connectivity analysis, and network 84
priorities. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 18:17] 85
Director Darrow and AC members discussed existing and planned transportation 86
improvements and how they intersect with the CDP’s concurrency framework. [SEE 87
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 19:44] 88
• Several projects from the Kona CDP’s concurrency tables have been completed 89
(e.g., Henry Street to the airport; Māmalahoa Bypass between Kealakekua and 90
Kailua-Kona). 91
• Current County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) priorities in Kona include the 92
Lako Street extension (from its current terminus down toward Aliʻi Drive) and 93
Phase 3 of Ane Keohokālole Highway (connecting Hina Lani to Kaʻiminani). 94
Archeological work and right-of-entry efforts are underway for the Lako corridor. 95
• The group also discussed prior community working group efforts that envisioned 96
a scaled-down Kahului-Keauhou Parkway (Lako Street to Kuakini Highway) using 97
existing County right-of-way, emphasizing cultural sites, open space, and non-98
motorized access. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 26:31] 99
• Director Darrow noted that the Kona CDP’s original concurrency language was 100
amended in 2019 to soften strict requirements, which had effectively stalled 101
development in some concurrency zones. Current concurrency practice is more 102
closely aligned with the County zoning code’s traffic impact analysis and mitigation 103
requirements. 104
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 10, 2026 4
Members highlighted that the original CDP did not sufficiently address water and 105
affordable housing and that any comprehensive review should strengthen these 106
sections. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 42:39] 107
The AC emphasized that updates must be grounded in robust community outreach, with 108
the Action Committee helping to design and promote a grassroots participation process, 109
rather than the AC itself drafting substantive amendments in isolation. [SEE YOUTUBE 110
TIMESTAMP 43:30] 111
Mikahala Roy provided testimony. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 48:43] 112
No formal action was taken. 113
This item concluded at 1:14 p.m. 114
2. Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 63, Relating to Dwellings – The AC will discuss any 115
amendments Bill 63 proposed by the County Council and consider whether to submit 116
additional testimony on the legislation. 117
This item was called to order at 1:14 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 53:39] 118
Chair Pelletier called for public testimony. No public testimony was provided at this time. 119
Chair Pelletier and Vice Chair Pisicchio reported on the February 4, 2026 County Council 120
meeting regarding Bill 63 (Draft 2), which proposes to allow residential dwellings within 121
the Industrial-Commercial Mixed (MCX) district. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 54:02] 122
• Councilmember Heather Kimball introduced an amendment to change dwellings 123
in MCX from a blanket permitted use to a use permit use, with the intent of better 124
targeting workforce housing associated with MCX uses rather than opening all 125
MCX lands to unrestricted residential development. 126
• The Council adopted the amendment, and the bill (now a new draft) passed first 127
reading and was forwarded for second reading at a future Council meeting. 128
• Earlier written testimony from the Kona CDP AC opposing broad by-right housing 129
in MCX remains in the record. 130
Chair Pelletier and Vice Chair Pisicchio prepared a draft letter for potential submittal at 131
second reading. The draft would: 132
• Express support for shifting MCX dwellings to a use permit process; 133
• Recommend that, as part of the use permit review, applicants be asked to 134
address: 135
o The relationship of the request for workforce housing to employment 136
located within the MCX District; and 137
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 10, 2026 5
o The affordability of proposed dwellings for the workforce that the dwellings 138
would serve. 139
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 57:07] 140
Discussion focused on how to support the workforce housing intent without creating 141
unworkable regulatory burdens. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 57:55] 142
Committee Member Kirchner cautioned that formal affordable housing requirements 143
often entail ongoing income qualification and compliance costs, which can discourage 144
development. 145
Chair Pelletier clarified that the draft testimony does not propose affordability mandates; 146
rather, it asks the Council to ensure that applicants demonstrate a clear workforce 147
connection. 148
Members discussed examples such as housing for hospital staff or teachers, and the 149
challenge of ensuring that units remain available to those workers over time instead of 150
becoming general market or short-term rental units. 151
Vice Chair Pisicchio reiterated that previous versions of Bill 63 would have allowed 152
housing across hundreds of acres of MCX land without guarantees of serving the 153
intended workforce. She stated that the use-permit framework, combined with clear 154
expectations in AC testimony, moves the legislation closer to its stated purpose. 155
Committee Member Kirchner made a motion to submit testimony from the Kona CDP 156
Action Committee in support of the new use permit framework for dwellings in MCX, 157
recommending that use permit applications be required to (1) describe the relationship 158
between proposed dwellings and employment within the MCX district, and (2) address 159
the affordability of the units for the workforce to be served. The motion was seconded by 160
Committee Member Thompson, and it passed unanimously by voice vote. [SEE 161
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:15:55] 162
Planning staff will prepare and transmit the testimony, to be signed by Chair Pelletier, to 163
the Council in advance of second reading of Bill 63. 164
This item concluded at 1:39 p.m. 165
3. Tree City USA Program Update – AC Member Charla Thompson will provide a status 166
update on the County’s Tree City USA application. 167
This item was called to order at 1:39 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:18:03] 168
Committee Member Thompson reported that: 169
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 10, 2026 6
• The Hawaiʻi County Tree City USA application has been completed and 170
submitted. The County will likely learn whether it has been approved by April or 171
May 2026. 172
• In anticipation of eventual Tree City USA recognition, she has begun exploring 173
next steps, including development of a County tree planting plan/urban forest plan 174
and improvements to County tree management practices. 175
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:18:21] 176
Committee Member Thompson highlighted a bill currently moving through the State 177
Legislature that would help support better tree care statewide. The bill would require 178
State agencies and counties (and their contractors) involved in planting, maintaining, or 179
removing public trees to adhere to best management practices for tree care. 180
No formal action was taken. 181
This item concluded at 1:46 p.m. 182
Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 183
Testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. (Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 184
869 [2025], signed into law as Act 53) 185
This item was called to order at 1:46 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:25:26] 186
• Mikahala Roy provided additional testimony. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 187
01:26:26] 188
Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 189
The AC may receive and discuss information from third-party reports by any government 190
official not included in a publicly noticed agenda. The AC may only make decisions on 191
matters originally raised by third-party reports from any government official at a later 192
meeting, where the agenda for the meeting gives notice of decision-making on the matter. 193
(Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 [2025], signed into law as Act 72) 194
This item was called to order at 1:50 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:29:47] 195
Director Darrow responded to questions previously submitted by Committee Member Young 196
and engaged in a discussion with the AC regarding: 197
• The Planning Department’s role in transportation planning, including development of 198
roadway alignment maps and coordination with the State Department of 199
Transportation and County Department of Public Works on future arterials and 200
collectors. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:30:37] 201
• Ongoing and upcoming discussions at the County level around short-term vacation 202
rentals (STVRs) and hosted rentals. Director Darrow noted that existing regulations 203
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 10, 2026 7
primarily address unhosted STVRs and that Council Member Kimball is preparing a 204
new bill to cover hosted rentals as well, likely coordinated with a Countywide 205
registration requirement scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026. [SEE YOUTUBE 206
TIMESTAMP 01:39:16] 207
During the discussion, Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell reminded the AC of 208
Sunshine Law and neighborhood-board-style requirements under SB 405, emphasizing that: 209
• Agendas should clearly identify the topics to be discussed under any third-party report 210
so members of the public know what will be covered; 211
• Pre-submitted questions to the Director (or any official) should be incorporated into 212
the board packet or otherwise made available so the public has adequate notice; and 213
• Some questions (e.g., regarding water supply operations or State law changes) may 214
be better directed to agencies with direct jurisdiction (e.g., Department of Water 215
Supply) rather than the Planning Department. 216
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:42:55] 217
Suggestions for future meetings: 218
• Clearly list the subject areas for any requested report; and 219
• Consider inviting other agencies (e.g., DWS) when questions relate to their authority. 220
In light of this guidance, Chair Pelletier, Director Darrow, and the Committee agreed to 221
conclude the open-ended Q&A for this meeting and instead work with staff and Corporation 222
Counsel to structure more focused, well-noticed report topics for a future agenda. Darrow 223
indicated he is willing to return at a subsequent meeting once topics and questions are 224
properly listed on the agenda. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:48:13] 225
Proposed New Business 226
This item was called to order at 2:12 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:51:04] 227
• Aliʻi Parkway Corridor 228
• Follow-up Questions for Planning Director/STVR Legislation 229
• Downtown Kailua-Kona Redevelopment and Parking 230
Staff and Deputy Corporation Counsel also reminded the AC that: 231
• Future agenda items should be clearly grounded in existing Kona CDP policies and 232
within the scope of the AC’s advisory role; and 233
• The AC may use tools such as permitted interaction groups, structured site visits, and 234
recesses to help manage complex topics and challenging public testimony while 235
remaining in compliance with the Sunshine Law. 236
The next Kona CDP Action Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026. 237
KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of February 10, 2026 8
Adjournment 238
Chair Pelletier adjourned this meeting at 2:20 p.m. 239
These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 240
Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 241
Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 242
Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 243
Questions for the Planning Director
Kona CDP Action Committee
Feb. 10, 2026
Aloha Director Darrow, welcome and mahalo for taking your time to attend the Feb. 10
meeting of the Kona CDP Action Committee and making yourself available to answer
questions and assist the committee in doing its work on behalf of the Community.
Questions
Can you share your views for the Planning Department in addressing the current traffic
issues?
How or would that affect future development in Kona?
Is there a need to strengthen zoning laws to better regulate the market for vacation rentals
in Kona and/or Hawaii Island overall?
Is the Planning Department considering implementing tighter regulations on the issues of
water quality, distribution and conservation for N. Kona.
How does the Planning Department support Transit Oriented Development? Are TOD’s
realistic for Kona given the current of land distribution, zoning, topography and water
resources?
How can the Action Committee be of better service to the community and Planning
Department?
Mahalo Nui Loa for your continued support.
Charles Young
AC committee member
Communication No. 2026-02
SB2336 Relating to Trees and Best Management Practices in Arboriculture
Aloha (Recipient),
The Kona Community Plan Development Action Committee strongly supports SB2336 Relating to Trees, which would require that all arborists and other professionals managing trees, including contractors, adhere to best management practices.
Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Hawai’i mandates the conservation and protection of
Hawai’i’s natural beauty and resources for present and future generations. Similarly, the first Guiding Principle of the Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP) is to "Protect Kona’s natural resources."
KCDP Goals, Objectives, Policies , and Actions 4.3.3 speaks of our Environmental Resources Goal to
create a healthy active lifestyle with a financial and moral commitment that reflects a high level of
caring for the land. Under Emerging Strategies in the Kona CDP, Managing our Impacts 4.3.2-1.a, the importance of managing our trees and forests is expressed and encouraged.
We have an obligation as responsible stewards of the land to adhere to a standard of Best Management
Practices to advocate for the health and resilience of our trees. Chapter 4.3.2 Overall Strategy which states, “People in Kona have a growing ecological awareness and respect for their diverse resources – one that must be translated into a commitment to protect and manage these resources. This commitment will only be implemented by policies that are based on knowledge about our diverse
resources…”
Proper care of our urban trees is an investment that saves the state monies. Urban trees and forests will serve to manage our shade, reducing air temperatures, manage our storm runoff, increase our groundwater filtration and provide habitat for our native birds. Having professional best practices also
provides the element of risk assessment that may mitigate future tree damage, personal injury and
potential arbitration.
Hawaii County will soon have the honor of Tree City recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. SB2336 would provide a framework that would improve our existing ordinance and support the
KCDP’s vision statement concerning our community’s well-being that emphasizes beauty and respect
in order to maintain Kona’s natural environment.
Sincerely,
Communication No. 2026-03
Aloha [Recipient Name],
Re: SB2372 Relating to Trees
The Kona Community Planning Action Committee strongly supports SB2371 SD1. This bill
establishes base selection criteria for exceptional trees, adopting new exceptional tree selection criteria and the designation of significant trees. We see the value of establishing a State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources and strongly support a cooperation with the University of Hawaii and the State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the
Exceptional Trees Program.
Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Hawai’i mandates the conservation and protection of Hawai’i’s natural beauty and resources for present and future generations. Similarly, the first Guiding Principle of the Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP) is to "Protect Kona’s natural resources."
In 1974, the Hawai’i Legislature passed the Exceptional Tree Act (Act 105). The law’s intention has been to protect exceptional trees statewide on both public and private land, from improper trimming and unnecessary removal. Bill SB2372 will offer a standard of consistency and added resources to care for and protect these resources.
Establishing base selection criteria for exceptional trees is line with the Kona CDP’s Environmental Resources Goals and Objectives, Policies, and Actions
Chapter 4.3.2 Overall Strategy which states, “People in Kona have a growing ecological awareness and
respect for their diverse resources – one that must be translated into a commitment to protect and
manage these resources. This commitment will only be implemented by policies that are based on knowledge about our diverse resources…”
Exceptional trees enhance our open spaces and align with KCDP Policy LU-2.5 (Village Design Guidelines), which seeks to incorporate natural and cultural features into our community. These trees
serve as cherished landmarks and are vital to maintaining our urban canopy, providing shade, preserving rainfall patterns, and filtering groundwater.
The recognition and preservation of exceptional trees is an essential part of our growing community’s
awareness and appreciation for one our most valuable natural resources; our trees.
Sincerely,
Communication No. 2026-04