HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-24 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, Vice Chair 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 Community
Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) 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, March 24, 2026
TIME: 5:00 P.M . – 7:00 P.M.
IN PERSON LOCATION: Kaʻū District Gym Multi-Purpose Room 96-1219 Kamani Street Pāhala, HI 96777 ONLINE/ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/dcB_TP0fSpG5CtDOi_-47Q
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 AC will consider approving the draft minutes from January 27, 2026.
III.PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons may provide oral testimony now, or when the specific agenda item is called.
Public testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per agenda item.
IV.BUSINESS:
1.Letter to Olson Trust: The AC will consider whether to submit Communication No. 2026-05 letter regarding the proposed Pāhala center along Hawaiʻi Route 11. The AC may approve the letter as written or with revisions and authorize Planning
Department staff to transmit the letter to Olson Trust.
2.County Facilities in Ocean View: Discussion and potential action regarding the need for an animal control center and police station in Ocean View.
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 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 for the meeting gives notice of decision-making on the matter. (Pursuant to SB 405)
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:
•Kaʻū Forest Reserve Management Plan Update by Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Representative Ian ColeoKaʻū Forest Reserve Management Plan:https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/files/2013/02/Kau_FR_Mgnt_Plan_2012.pdf
•Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station Update
•Nāʻālehu Post Office Speed Feedback Sign Update
•Proposed Stop Sign on South Point Road Update
•DMV Kiosk in Kaʻū Update by Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi
•The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 26, 2026, at the Nāʻālehu Community Center.
IX.ADJOURNMENTNOTICE: 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
January 27, 2026 5
CALL TO ORDER: 6
Chair Jason Masters called the meeting of the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (KCDP) 7
Action Committee (AC) to order at 5:06 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the 8
Nāʻālehu Community Center and online via the Zoom platform. 9
10
The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 11
https://youtu.be/ZNfaABm-pPU?si=MIvA8nydioJ43-Ow 12
ROLL CALL: 13
Members Present (in person): David Kuahiwanui, Taylor Spurgeon, Kaweni Ibarra, Gary 14
Davis, Vice Chair Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi, Chair Jason Masters 15
Members Present (via Zoom): Babette Morrow 16
Members Absent: Catherine Williams arrived at 5:35pm and left at 7:30pm 17
Planning Department Staff Present (in person): Maryam Palma and Kawelo Kalili 18
Planning Department Staff Present (via Zoom): Janice Hata 19
There were approximately twenty members of the public in attendance in person and five 20
via Zoom. 21
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:07] 22
Committee Member Kaweni Ibarra moved to approve the minutes with corrections as 23
follows: 24
Line 64 – to read “occurring on The Nature Conservancy land” 25
Line 81 – should read BLNR, not PONC 26
Lines 160, 163, 167, 170, 172 - Brenda’s name should appear as Mrs., not Ms. 27
Chair Jason Masters seconded the motion. The Committee voted unanimously to 28
approve the minutes. 29
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:39] 30
No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom. 31
BUSINESS: 32
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of January 27, 2026
Page 2
1. Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction Group – The Hīlea Property Permitted Interaction33
Group will discuss the proposed acquisition with the Action Committee and a34
representative of the Nature Conservancy. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 5:39]35
Shalan Crysdale was invited to speak as a representative of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 36
Committee Member Kuahiwinui spoke about the community’s need for public access and 37
right-of-way protection. TNC responded that current preserve lands include 3,511 acres; 38
2,000 acres fenced; over six fence crossings for access. Additional Olson Trust acreage 39
under discussion totals 1,960 acres; most is former sugar land with active ranch leases. 40
Approximately 350 acres of native forest may require protective fencing. Public access 41
would continue under TNC’s managed access program. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 42
6:20] 43
Committee Member Kuahiwinui requested that the TNC provide additional outreach and 44
public information meetings with more descriptive maps showing fencing plans, access 45
routes, cultural access, and overall land management intentions. TNC expressed 46
willingness to hold a future community meeting in Pāhala and re-present prior material. No 47
formal action was taken. 48
2. Edmund C. Olson Trust No.2 Highway Project Concept - Discussion and potential49
action regarding the communications drafted by Committee Members Ibarra and Morrow: 50
Communication No. 2026-0151
Communication No. 2026-0252
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 31:42] 53
54
Mr. John Cross of the Olson Trust provided a synopsis of the project, sharing that Olson 55
Trust is proposing to rezone the land to build a gas station with restrooms, gas, food, EV 56
charging stations and other services. The proposal requires change from Low Density Urban 57
to Medium Density Urban on the LUPAG map, plus a zoning change from Ag-20 to CV-10. 58
The estimated development footprint: 2.8–10 acres (exact area to be determined through 59
Planning Department guidance). Mrs. Brenda Iokepa-Moses of the Olson Trust stated that 60
their outreach meetings have shown strong support for the project which provides economic 61
development, local hiring and safe access for pedestrians from Pāhala. [SEE YOUTUBE 62
TIMESTAMP 33:59] 63
Committee Member Ibarra read his letter – Communication No. 2026-01 [SEE YOUTUBE 64
TIMESTAMP 43:45] 65
Committee Member Morrow read her letter – Communication No. 2026-02 [SEE 66
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 49:19] 67
Mary Kapon provided testimony in support of the project due to Kaʻū being a food desert 68
and asked if there will be an entrance from Kamani street and the Highway. Tim Banko 69
agreed with Mary and seconded what she shared. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 58:35] 70
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of January 27, 2026
Page 3
Carl Okuyama, president of Ohana Foods Inc. provided testimony in support of the project. 71
He mentioned that Mizuno store customers have asked if they will be providing gas and 72
hot food. His plan is to work with Olson Trust to provide these services in Pāhala. [SEE 73
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:01:40] 74
Guy Enriquez provided testimony to support the project stating that the community would 75
benefit from the gas station and asked AC for their support. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 76
1:03:38] 77
Brenda Iokepa -Moses shared more background information on the project site stating and 78
offering to speak to community members after the meeting to share more, review maps 79
and further information. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:11:38] 80
Committee Member Ibarra moved to discuss both letters. Committee Member Williams 81
seconded. The committee clarified that its role is not to approve zoning or the project itself, 82
but to provide feedback grounded in the Community Development Plan and generally 83
agreed to draft a unified letter summarizing support, concerns, and inconsistencies for the 84
applicant to use in future approvals. Members emphasized the need for clearer project 85
details (e.g., acreage, safety, and access) before offering stronger support, while 86
encouraging the applicant to proceed through the formal application process. [SEE 87
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:13:37] 88
Chair Masters moved that Members Ibarra and Morrow draft a unified letter combining 89
Communication Nos. 2026-01 and 2026-02, outlining the project’s consistencies and 90
inconsistencies with the CDP, to be reviewed and voted on at a future meeting. The motion 91
was seconded by Committee Member Davis and passed unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE 92
TIMESTAMP 1:43:15] 93
3. Kamaʻoa Road Bishop Estate Property Status – Discussion and potential action 94
regarding grading and grubbing activities conducted on a large property along Kamaʻoa 95
Road. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:44:06] 96
Ryan Schultz, a third-generation rancher from South Point, explained that the Kamaʻoa 97
Road parcel—zoned agricultural and historically ranch land—is being cleared of invasive 98
Christmas berry to create a sustainable resource for the community, with initial work 99
limited to perimeter grading and awaiting a grubbing permit. Committee members 100
confirmed that the project has an approved NRCS conservation plan, and that 101
archaeological and ecological requirements have been cleared, with documentation 102
submitted to Bishop Estate and pending approval from the Kaʻū Soil and Water Board. 103
[SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:44:30] 104
105
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of January 27, 2026
Page 4
4. Analysis of Kaʻū CDP Land Use Maps – Discussion and potential action to review and 106
propose changes to the Kaʻū CDP Land Use Maps [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:47:58] 107
The committee discussed how the proposed Olson Trust project highlights inconsistencies 108
between the CDP land use maps and the General Plan, clarifying that only portions of a 109
parcel can be amended, and that CDP and General Plan maps serve as long-term policy 110
guidance rather than zoning regulations. Members emphasized their role in reviewing and 111
identifying consistencies or needed updates, while also recognizing the importance of 112
maintaining the CDP’s integrity and only recommending changes when there is a 113
significant, community-driven need. 114
County Planning Staff Maryam Palma shared the relationship between CDP maps, 115
General Plan maps, and zoning and shared how the committee may move forward with 116
updating the CDP maps by (1) individuals do their research on what should be changed, 117
(2) create a Permitted Interaction Group, or (3) 2 committee members work a piece and 118
bring it to the AC. 119
The discussion concluded with agreement that the CDP should be periodically reviewed 120
and potentially updated, with members encouraged to identify outdated elements for future 121
discussion, ensuring the document continues to reflect current community priorities without 122
becoming too easily altered for individual projects. 123
An anonymous community member provided public testimony suggesting that if portions of 124
agricultural land are redesignated for development, the remaining land could be preserved 125
in perpetuity through mechanisms like agricultural preservation, offering a balanced 126
approach that provides community benefits while protecting long-term ag use [SEE 127
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:10:25] 128
An anonymous community member provided testimony emphasizing the importance of 129
balancing preservation of Kaʻū’s identity with supporting future generations, noting that 130
sustaining the community requires opportunities that allow families and children to remain 131
and thrive in Kaʻū [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:11:42] 132
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA: 133
No testifiers were present in person or on Zoom. 134
THIRD-PARTY REPORTS; GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: 135
No third-party reports or government officials present or on Zoom 136
PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:13:00] 137
1. DMV kiosk installation in Kaʻū 138
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes of January 27, 2026
Page 5
2. Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station update 139
3. Need for animal control and police station in Ocean View 140
4. Stop Sign at the bottom of South Point road 141
5. Continuation of CDP land use map review 142
ANNOUNCEMENTS: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:17:50] 143
County Planning Staff Maryam Palma reported department efforts to improve 144
accessibility of permit notifications, including: 145
o Exploring district-specific email lists. 146
o Upgrading ADA compliance. 147
o Better integration with online EPIC permit system. 148
o Planned instructional videos for community use. 149
Councilmember Michelle Galimba is sharing a County of Hawaiʻi Punaluʻu Survey to 150
gather the Kaʻū community’s manaʻo on the present and future of Punaluʻu. Take 151
the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CXZYRGS 152
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 24, 2026 at the Kaʻū District 153
Gym Multi-Purpose Room. 154
ADJOURNMENT: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:25:40] 155
Chair Masters adjourned this meeting at 7:33 p.m. 156
These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kaʻū 157
Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 158
Documents Repository . These documents may also be requested from the Planning 159
Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 160
DRAFT March 24, 2026 RE: Letter Regarding the Proposed Pāhala Center along Hawaiʻi Route 11 Pāhala, Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi Tax Map Key: (3)9-6-012: 012 (por.) Dear Olson Trust, The Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee (CDP AC) has heard presentations and testimony from your employees, including John Cross and Brenda Iokepa-Moses, on July 22, September 23, November 18, 2025, and January 27, 2026 in the communities of Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View, regarding their proposed concepts for a Pāhala Center at TMK (3)9-6-012: 012 (por.). 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. The Land Use Policy Map in the CDP designates this area as Important Agricultural Lands. 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.At this time, the Olson Trust has not finalized or submitted any applications for the project. As Action Committee members, we realize that 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 AC has reviewed the conceptual plan and we have the following comments regarding alignment of the plan with the CDP.
The proposed conceptual plan 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.
Communication No. 2026-05
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. Objective 11 of Section 61: “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.” This is also Objective 11 in Section 6.8. Objective 12, Section 6.8: Establish or expand retail, service, dining, and entertainment centers in rural villages and towns capable of supporting Ka’ũ-appropriate growth.
The proposed conceptual plan does not align with these policies of the Ka’ū CDP: Objective 1 of Section 3.3 relates to preferred settlement patterns: “Concentrate new commercial development in compact, walkable, mixed-use town/village centers”. Policy 1 of Section 3.4 states: “Rehabilitate and develop within existing zoned urban areas already served by basis infrastructure, or close to such areas, instead of scattered development.” 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.” Policy 3 of Section 3.4 states: “Commercial facilities shall be developed in areas adequately served by necessary services, such as water, utilities, sewers, and transportation systems.” Policy 7 in Section 3.4 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 8 in Section 3.4 states that changes of zone in LDU shall only be permitted to Single Family Residential, Multiple Family Residential, Residential-Commercial Mixed Use, or Open. 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.
Community Support
While there is strong community support for the services as presented in the conceptual plan, community members and members of the Kaʻū CDP AC have presented issues with the proposed project area being in close proximity to the highway, which raises concerns with youth and elderly in the area accessing the proposed development. As proposed, the development is inaccessible by foot through the town of Pāhala, and would require travelling along Highway 11. The Kaʻū CDPAC looks forward to seeing proposed solutions to these concerns.
Land Use Policy The Kaʻū CDP AC is aware that the Olson Trust proposes to apply for changes to the current LUPAG from LDU to MDU for an approximate 8-10 acre portion of the parcel, and to apply for rezoning from A-20 to CV-10. The Land Use Policy Map in the Ka’ū CDP designates this area as Important Agricultural Lands. During preparation of the Kaʻū CDP, the Steering Committee recommended this area be designated as Intensive Agriculture, rather than Residential as it is designated in the COH 2005 General Plan. The rationale for this decision was that “connections to town over the channel are impractical and the land is planted in coffee”. Note that the CDP AC is in the process of reviewing all of the Land Use Policy Maps for Ka’ū. Once application of the proposed development plan is made, the CDP AC can comment on alignment with the Land Use Policy Maps in the CDP as appropriate. The LUPAGs in the General Plan are currently being considered by County Council and the CDP AC is not in a position to recommend changes. 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.
Communication No. 2026-06