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Home My WebLink About2026-05-26 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 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, May 26, 2026 TIME: 5:00 P.M . – 7:00 P.M. LOCATION: Nāʻālehu Community Center 95-5635 Mamalahoa Hwy Nāʻālehu, HI 96772 ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/cMvYcYueTvysJnOJBQOCYg 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. 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. Testimony may be submitted via email to CDP@hawaiicounty.gov or in person at the Hilo or Kona Planning Department. Please specify the agenda item for which the testimony is being submitted. All written testimony will become part of the public record. Hard copy submissions should include one original and nine copies. AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The AC will consider approving the draft minutes from March 24, 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. IV. BUSINESS: Action Items 1. Ingress and Egress at Green Sands and Mark Twain Subdivisions Regarding Kaʻū CDP Policy 118, Section 5.7.2. – Update and discussion by Committee Members Morrow and Willams. The AC may take action, including consideration of drafting a letter to property owners. Non-Action Items 2. Punaluʻu Survey – Report by Councilmember Michelle Galimba regarding Punaluʻu Survey results: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov/data-information/punalu-u-community-survey 3. Flood Impacts Update – Report from Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno regarding the recent storm event, precipitation levels, and contributing factors to the damaging flooding in Kaʻū. 4. Department of Public Works Update – Report by Department of Public Works Deputy Director Neil Azevedo regarding South Point Road street signage and storm impacts in Kaʻū. 5. Office of Aging Kūpuna Survey – Report by the Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging regarding its four-year Area Plan and community input efforts to help guide future programs and services for Hawaiʻi Island kūpuna. • Kūpuna/Caregiver survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YK2XGVG • Provider survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CMD9C2V V. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA 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. VII. PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS: The AC will discuss potential agenda items for future meetings. VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS: • The letter to Olson Trust was finalized with corrections and sent to Mr. John Cross on April 2, 2026 • Kaʻū Transfer Stations Updates effective June 1, 2026: o Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station will transition to a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday schedule from 6 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday has been added as a new day of service o Ocean View Transfer Station will transition to a Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday schedule from 6 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday service will be discontinued. Scrap metal and appliance collection will be available on Sundays • DMV Kiosk update by Vice Chair Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi 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 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. 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 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. Meeting Packet QR Code: KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE JASON MASTERS, Chair KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 March 24, 2026 5 Call to Order 6 Chair Jason Masters called the meeting of the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP) 7 Action Committee (AC) to order at 5:13 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the Kaʻū 8 Gym Multi-Purpose Room 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=8r6WUPtUuR4&t=3s 11 Roll Call 12 Members Present (in person): 13 • Jason Masters, Chair 14 • Kaʻohi Mokuhaliʻi, Vice Chair 15 • David Kuahiwinui 16 • Taylor Spurgeon 17 • Gary Davis 18 • Babette Morrow 19 • Kaweni Ibarra 20 Members Present (via Zoom): Catherine Williams 21 Planning Department Staff Present: 22 • Janice Hata (in person) 23 • Kawelo Kalili (in person) 24 • Jessica Lahip (Zoom) 25 Other County Representatives Present (in person): 26 • Michelle Galimba, Council Member 27 There were approximately 25 members of the public in attendance (15 in person and 10 28 via Zoom). 29 Approval of Minutes 30 Chair Masters moved to approve the draft minutes of the January 27, 2026 meeting with 31 the following corrections: 32 • Line 14 – to correct the misspelling of the name “Kuahiwinui” 33 • Line 27 – to correct the misspelling of the name “Enriques” 34 • Line 109 – to remove the word “only” for clearer context 35 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of March 24, 2026 2 • Line 103 – to include the full name of “Kaʻū Soil and Water Conservation District 36 Board” 37 Committee Member Ibarra seconded the motion. The Committee voted unanimously to 38 approve the minutes with corrections. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:45] 39 Public Testimony on Agenda Items 40 Chair Masters called for public testimony on agenda items. No public testimony was 41 provided at this time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 05:00] 42 Business 43 1. Letter to Olson Trust: The AC will consider whether to submit Communication No. 44 2026-05 letter regarding the proposed Pāhala center along Hawaiʻi Route 11. The AC 45 may approve the letter as written or with revisions and authorize Planning Department 46 staff to transmit the letter to Olson Trust. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 5:39] 47 Committee Member Morrow presented an overview of Communication No. 2026-05, 48 stating that the AC voted for her and Committee Member Kaweni Ibarra to combine 49 their drafted letters, from previous meetings, outlining the proposed Pāhala Center’s 50 consistencies and inconsistencies with the Kaʻū CDP. 51 Committee Member Ibarra suggested that the letter be edited with the following 52 corrections: 53 • Second paragraph – change “public restaurants” to “public restrooms” 54 • First paragraph of the last page – clarify that the project site is approximately 55 0.6 miles from the core of Pāhala town 56 Committee Member Spurgeon moved to disapprove Communication No. 2026-05 and 57 instead approve Committee Member Ibarra’s original letter, presented at the January 58 27 meeting as Communication No. 2026-01, supporting the proposed Pāhala Center. 59 Committee Member Kuahiwinui seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 60 14:15] 61 Before discussion of the motion, Chair Masters requested that the applicant return to 62 the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee to present their plans after submitting an application 63 to the Planning Department. Mrs. Brenda Iokepa-Moses, community engagement 64 staff for the Olson Trust, stated that community input has been a priority throughout 65 their application process for several months. She added that the Trust’s next step is 66 to submit an application for the Pāhala Center to the Planning Department. 67 Discussion then proceeded regarding the intent of Communication No. 2026-05. Vice 68 Chair Kaʻohi Mokuhaliʻi clarified that the role of the Action Committee is to assess 69 whether a project is consistent or inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the 70 CDP, and not to state whether it supports or approves a project. 71 John Ray provided testimony expressing concern about delays, urged the Committee 72 to take action, and highlighted the need for a local gas station to support bus drivers 73 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of March 24, 2026 3 and students traveling between Ocean View and Pāhala. [SEE YOUTUBE 74 TIMESTAMP 32:16] 75 The AC deliberated about the motion and Chair Masters proceeded with a roll call vote 76 for Committee Member Spurgeon’s motion. The motion did not pass with 2 ayes and 77 6 nays. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 37:15] 78 Committee Member Ibarra moved to approve the letter to Olson Trust, Communication 79 No. 2026-05, with revisions. Committee Member Davis seconded the motion. Chair 80 Masters proceeded with a roll call vote. The motion passed with 6 ayes and 2 nays. 81 2. County Facilities in Ocean View: Discussion and potential action regarding the need 82 for an animal control center and police station in Ocean View. [SEE YOUTUBE 83 TIMESTAMP 40:23] 84 Council Member Michelle Galimba provided an update on efforts to establish an 85 animal control facility in Ocean View, noting a recent setback in acquiring a property 86 and introducing a new conceptual plan to develop a facility on County land near 87 Kamaʻoa Road, with the goal of creating a small, scalable site to support local animal 88 control services. She also noted that Animal Control vehicle conditions have improved, 89 staffing shortages remain a significant challenge, there is currently no dedicated 90 animal control officer in Ocean View, and efforts to establish a local facility could 91 improve response times and reduce the need to transport animals to Hilo or Kona. 92 She invited the community to identify potential sites with existing kennels or suitable 93 facilities, noting that repurposing such properties could expedite the establishment of 94 an animal control facility. 95 Chair Masters noted that the CDP does not address animal control but does include 96 policies supporting a police substation in Ocean View (Policies 5.6 and 5.62) and 97 suggested the AC could consider expressing support for a new animal control facility 98 while also mentioning a potential site at the former Waiʻōhinu jail property. 99 Council Member Galimba clarified that there is currently a substation in Ocean View, 100 and it is a priority of the mayor to start designing and planning for a full station with 101 holding facilities. 102 Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi moved for the AC to invite Council Member Gamilba to a future 103 meeting to give an update on the progress of these projects as she works with the 104 mayor. Chair Masters seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. [SEE 105 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 57:31] 106 Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 107 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 869 (2025), signed into law as Act 53, testimony on 108 matters not on the agenda may be limited to three minutes per speaker. No testimony 109 was provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 58:32] 110 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of March 24, 2026 4 Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 111 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 112 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 113 in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 114 such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 58:51] 115 Council Member Galimba reported that her Punaluʻu survey will close on March 31 and 116 encouraged participation, noting over 260 responses to date with minimal input from 117 outside districts. She added that results will be shared online and that she is seeking 118 funding to support facilitation and a community planning process based on survey results 119 and focus groups, Lastly, she shared resources for residents impacted by the recent Kona 120 Low storm, including Civil Defense, Vibrant Hawaiʻi, and the Farm Service Agency. 121 Proposed New Business [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:03:31] 122 • Green Sands Mark Twain Emergency Access 123 • Waiʻōhinu Flood Control Update by Council Member Galimba 124 • Waiʻōhinu Park Restroom Update 125 • Pāhala Pool Update by Council Member Galimba 126 • Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Field Lighting 127 Announcements [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:12:59] 128 • Kaʻū Forest Reserve Management Plan Update by Department of Land and 129 Natural Resources (DLNR) Representative Ian Cole – Ian Cole shared new 130 fencing unit progress and referred to DLNR Kaʻū Forest Reserve Plan Maps 131 (Communication No. 2026-06). The AC requested that DLNR keep the committee 132 informed, particularly if there are opportunities for community consultation or input. 133 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:13:28] 134 • Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station – Chair Masters announced as of March 17, 2026, 135 the Solid Waste Division reported that the supervisor position for Waiʻōhinu 136 remains unfilled, limiting operational capacity. The Ocean View Transfer Station 137 has been open on Saturdays for the past two months, but due to low usage, the 138 division is considering reverting to a three-day schedule and potentially 139 reallocating that additional day to Waiʻōhinu; however, current demand does not 140 support adding another day there. At the Pāhala Transfer Station, subsidence 141 issues behind the chute retaining wall prompted the installation of a safety 142 barricade on March 20, which allows the station to remain open but requires users 143 to carry waste a short distance from their vehicles. Emergency repairs are planned 144 for the week of April 20 and will require temporary closure, with additional details 145 to be provided in advance. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:22:30] 146 • Nāʻālehu Post Office Speed Feedback Sign Update – Chair Masters announced 147 The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is currently awaiting the 148 processing of an electrical contract needed for installation. HDOT has encountered 149 challenges in securing a contractor and is actively exploring alternative solutions 150 KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of March 24, 2026 5 to expedite the installation of the speed feedback sign. Updates will be provided 151 as the project progresses. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:25:37] 152 • Proposed Stop Sign on South Point Road Update – Chair Masters shared that 153 at the last meeting, concerns were raised regarding traffic safety at the bottom of 154 South Point Road, where there is currently no stop sign. Based on recent 155 communication with the Department of Public Works, the County maintains 156 approximately 11 miles of South Point Road, including the intersection with Ka Lae 157 Road; however, Ka Lae Road falls under State jurisdiction. The Planning 158 Department will coordinate with both the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation 159 (HDOT) and the Department of Public Works to pursue this request. Additionally, 160 requests for traffic signage may be submitted through the County’s Traffic Division 161 website at https://hawaiicounty.311service.com/. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 162 01:26:24] 163 • DMV Kiosk in Kaʻū Update by Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi – Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi 164 reported that she has reached out to the DMV kiosk vendor, who is currently 165 working on a demographic survey to assess feasibility. Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi will 166 continue to stay in communication with the vendor and provide updates to the 167 committee as the process moves forward. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:27:49] 168 Next Meeting – The next Kaʻū CDP Action Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 169 May 26, 2026. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:29:37] 170 Adjournment 171 Chair Masters adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. 172 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s 173 Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi 174 Public Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the 175 Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 176 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻIMAYOR C. KIMO ALAMEDA, PH.D. Kona Low Assistance Centers Expanded FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2026 The County of Hawai’i announces that additional types of help are available at assistance centers for residents who experienced damage caused by the March 2026 Kona low storms. In addition to representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — who can help with reimbursement for residential damage expenses through the Individual Assistance program — the sites at Kea‘au and Kealakekua also will host: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) officials, who can assist with low-interest loans for storm damages to businesses, homeowners and renters, and Vibrant Hawai‘i representatives, who can connect residents to assistance with other needs. The County also has arranged for an assistance center to open in Nā‘ālehu effective May 26 through June 12, 2026, to offer similar services. The deadline to apply for most federal disaster assistance programs for the Kona low storms is June 14, 2026. Federal assistance is available under a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Hawai’i, a result of extensive damage from the storms of March 10-24, 2026. The County’s assistance centers opened Monday in South Kona at the Kealakekua branch of the Hawai’i State Public Library System, and in Puna at the Keaʻau Armory at Shipman Park. Revised schedules for the assistance centers (including Nāʻālehu) are listed below and may be adjusted based on demand for services. All sites will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day and June 11 for King Kamehameha Day: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, 81-6619 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Kealakekua Monday, May 4-Friday, June 12 Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays: noon-2 p.m., 3-7 p.m. Thursdays: 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Fridays: noon-4 p.m. Kea’au Armory, Herbert Shipman Park 16-512 Volcano Road, Kea’au Monday, May 4-Friday, May 22 Mondays-Thursdays: noon-7 p.m. (Modified from previous schedule) Fridays: 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Nā‘ālehu Public Library, 95-5669 Mamalahoa Hwy, Na‘alehu Tuesday, May 26-Friday, June 12 Communication No. 2026-07 Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays: 10 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Fridays: Noon-4 p.m. The assistance centers are operating in addition to the current disaster assistance that residents can apply for, such as agricultural assistance, social services, and non-profit organization support. For more information on resources available for storm recovery visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency website at https://bit.ly/HICivilDefense and follow the “Disaster Recovery” link, or see selected programs listed below. For FEMA Individual Assistance (residents): The registration deadline is June 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. HST. For SBA assistance (residents and businesses): Physical Damage Loan application deadline is June 14, 2026. Economic Injury Loan application deadline is Jan. 7, 2027. Apply online at https://lending.sba.gov/search- disaster/?disaster=HI-20010, call (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. You may also visit the SBA Business Recovery Center at 1055 Kinoʻole St., Hilo, Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., or the Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 101, Kailua-Kona, Mondays-Saturdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. If you require immediate assistance — such as food, clothing, debris removal, or shelter — from a coalition of nonprofit, business, and government due to issues caused by the storms or a similar emergency incident, please complete a Request for Assistance. ### Media Contact: Tom Callis Public Information Officer Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaiʻi Desk Phone: 808-961-8316 Mobile Phone: 808-767-2471 Email: tom.callis@hawaiicounty.gov COUNTY OF HAWAIʻIMAYOR C. KIMO ALAMEDA, PH.D. Changes to Service Announced for Ocean View, Waiʻōhinu and Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Stations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2026 The County of Hawaiʻi is announcing changes in available services and operating hours for several Recycling and Transfer Stations. Kealakehe RTS Change in Service (Effective Friday, May 15): Green waste collection is now available on Fridays (full schedule: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays). Commercial mulch pick-up is now limited to one load per day (haulers are encouraged to go to the West Hawaiʻi Organics Facility at 71-1111 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway for additional loads). Ocean View RTS Schedule (Effective Monday, June 1): Monday: Closed Tuesday: Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday: Closed (removed day of service) Sunday: Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (scrap metal and appliance collection is now available on Sundays) Waiʻōhinu RTS Schedule (Effective Monday, June 1): Monday: Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (added new day of service) Thursday: Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday: Closed Saturday: Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday: Closed For more information on rules and recycling visit: http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org. ### Media Contact: Tom Callis Public Information Officer Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaiʻi Desk Phone: 808-961-8316 Mobile Phone: 808-767-2471 Email: tom.callis@hawaiicounty.gov Communication No. 2026-08 Report on Ingress and Egress at Green Sands and Mark Twain Subdivisions Regarding Kaʻū CDP Policy 118, Section 5.7.2. Catherine Williams and Babette Morrow Ka’ū CDP policy 118, Section 5.7.2 states: “In collaboration with residents, develop and adopt a hazard mitigation plan for each community in Ka’ū, including an evacuation clearance rate and evacuation plans and routes.” On November 20, 2024, Volunteer Fire Captain Ron Ebert provided a report to the AC on the egress and ingress challenges at Green Sands Subdivision, emphasizing the key fire safety concerns that fires move faster uphill and spread rapidly with wind, creating sparks that increase risk. He highlighted public safety issues, including traffic on narrow roads, only one means of egress to Highway 11, and the difficulties of accessing water for firefighting. He brought up the urgent need for another means of egress from Green Sands, with the only option being through Mark Twain subdivision. In 2025 Captain Ebert identified a possible connection point between Green Sands and Mark Twain, and talked with owners in both subdivisions about his ideas. They were both amenable to finding a way to have temporary emergency access connecting the two. However, Captain Ebert has since moved to the mainland and is no longer available to work on this project. Planning staff received contact information for the Mark Twain property owner for possible temporary emergency easement. They have been unable to make contact with her. Next Steps Our ultimate goal is to get an emergency access easement approved by all parties involved. However, before we can work out those details, we propose working with the fire department. Since the need for this access was initiated by the Fire Department, this is a good time for them to get involved again. We have talked with the Fire Captain in Ocean View to learn about chain of command in the Fire Department. Catherine will meet with the Fire Captain in Pahala sometime the week of May 25, since the Na’alehu area is now under his command. We have set a goal of meeting with the Fire Department Chief to present our ideas. However one issue we have is that there currently is an interim fire chief and we may wait until a permanent fire chief has been appointed. Communication No. 2026-09 Communication No. 2026-10 Communication No. 2026-11 Selected Impactful Rain Events - Kaʻū District National Weather Service Communication No. 2026-12 RECENT IMPACTFUL RAIN EVENTS The March 2026 Kona Lows Back-to-back storm systems brought prolonged heavy rainfall to Hawaiʻi Island. The first system produced 15 to 25 inches of rain across the Kaʻū District, with localized areas receiving over 30 inches. The rainfall led to overflowing streams, landslides, and roadway closures. A second system moved over the saturated ground on March 23, producing thunderstorms with rainfall rates of over 4 inches per hour from Pāhala through Hilo, which resulted in additional road closures. The February 2023 Kona Lows Two Kona lows affected the state, resulting in notable flooding across the Kaʻū District. The first storm produced 15 to 25 inches of rain across southeastern Hawaiʻi Island, with rainfall rates exceeding 3 inches per hour at Kapapala Ranch. The resulting runoff led to several road closures, including Wood Valley Road, Kaalaiki Road, and Highway 11 at Kawa Flats. Due to the high soil moisture from this initial system, a second storm on February 20 and 21 caused additional runoff that closed Highway 11 at Kawa Flats again. The November 2000 Event In early November 2000, the remnants of a tropical storm brought catastrophic flooding to parts of Hawaiʻi Island, including the Kaʻū District. The highest precipitation occurred between November 1 and November 2, when a gauge at Kapapala Ranch near Pāhala recorded 38.97 inches of rain. The flooding damaged or destroyed four bridges along the Mamalahoa Highway, temporarily closing the primary route between Pāhala and Hilo and leading to a federal disaster declaration. METEOROLOGICAL DRIVERS OF FLOODING Meteorological Similarities The March 2026, February 2023, and November 2000 events share a fundamental meteorological pattern: they were all driven by large-scale, slow-moving low-pressure systems. These systems disrupted the typical northeasterly trade winds and drew deep plumes of warm, equatorial moisture northward over the state. Wind Direction and Orographic Lift During all three events, the counter-clockwise circulation of the low-pressure systems generated southerly winds. This shift in wind direction is a contributing factor for extreme rainfall. When these moisture-laden winds encounter the island's topography, the air is mechanically forced to rise. As the air ascends, it expands, cools, and condenses its water vapor into rain—a process known as orographic lift. Why the Kaʻū District Was Highly Impacted The pronounced impacts in the Kaʻū District are a direct result of its geography. The district is located on the expansive southern and southeastern slopes of Mauna Loa. While it is somewhat sheltered during normal trade-wind patterns, it is fully exposed to southerly and southeasterly wind flows. When anomalous low-pressure systems drive deep tropical moisture directly into the broad, high-elevation slopes of Mauna Loa, the resulting orographic lift is highly efficient. The mountain acts as an orographic barrier, anchoring rain bands in place and continuously wringing out moisture as long as the southerly winds persist. This localized, sustained rainfall rapidly exceeds the soil's infiltration capacity, leading to rapid runoff and significant flash flooding in the drainages and communities below. KONA LOWS OF MARCH 10-24, 2026 Event Summary Between March 10 and March 24, 2026, the Hawaiian Islands experienced a historic weather disaster driven by back-to-back storm systems. The first major storm delivered its heaviest rainfall from Tuesday, March 10, through Monday, March 16. This phase dropped 15 to 25 inches of rain across portions of Hawaiʻi Island—including the Kaʻū District—with localized areas seeing over 30 inches. Most of this rain fell during a single 24 hour period on March 14. As one of the hardest-hit areas in the state, the southern half of the Hawaiʻi County suffered from overflowing streams, landslides, road closures, and significant flooding of homes and businesses, while severe winds downed trees and caused widespread power outages. Because the ground was already entirely saturated, a second storm system easily triggered additional flooding the following week. The heaviest rain for the Big Island during this second wave arrived on March 23, bringing intense thunderstorms with rainfall rates of over 4 inches per hour stretching from Pāhala (in the Kaʻū District) through Hilo. Fortunately, the impacts on the Big Island during this final round were primarily limited to road closures from heavy ponding before the skies finally cleared on March 24. KONA LOWS OF MARCH 10-24, 2026 PRECIPITATION ANALYSIS During the Kona Lows of March 2026 the nearest weather stations to Waiʻōhinu received around 30” of rainfall. The majority of this rain fell on 3/14. An additional heavy rain event impacted the Pāhala area on 3/23. Location Total Pahala (15004)32.14 Kaiholena (UHM)29.32 Kapapala Ranch (15003)30.22 KONA LOWS OF MARCH 10-24, 2026 DAILY PRECIPITATION Of the ~30” that fall during both Kona Storms the majority of the rain occurred on one day (3/14). Each of the three closest weather stations recorded over 15” during this particular 24 hour period. There was an additional heavy rain day on 3/23, which primarily impacted areas from Pāhala into the lower Puna District. Location 3/10/2026 3/11/2026 3/12/2026 3/13/2026 3/14/2026 3/15/2026 3/16/2026 3/17/2026 3/18/2026 3/19/2026 3/20/2026 3/21/2026 3/22/2026 3/23/2026 3/24/2026 Pahala (15004)0.01 0.96 0.36 1.78 17.66 0.37 1.88 0.55 0.46 0.09 0.02 0.04 0.38 7.12 0.46 Kaiholena (UHM)0.07 0.55 0.49 3.86 20.80 0.37 0.19 0.27 0.94 0.13 0.07 0.02 0.35 0.78 0.43 Kapapala Ranch (15003)0.00 0.39 0.41 2.60 18.99 0.46 0.58 0.95 0.78 0.13 0.01 0.88 0.46 3.88 0.20 RADAR ESTIMATES Radar estimates suggest upwards of 20” of rain fell in the higher terrain above. The lower values values near Nāʻālehu are an artifact due to the local terrain blocking the radar beam. KONA LOWS OF MARCH 10-24, 2026 MARCH 10 Little to no rain MARCH 11 Light Amounts MARCH 12 Light Amounts MARCH 13 Rain Amounts Increase MARCH 14 Peak Rainfall Day KONA LOWS OF MARCH 10-24, 2026 MARCH 15 Light Amounts MARCH 16 Light Amounts MARCH 17 Light Amounts MARCH 18 Light Amounts MARCH 19 Light Amounts KONA LOWS OF MARCH 10-24, 2026 MARCH 20 Light Amounts MARCH 21 Light Amounts MARCH 22 Light Amounts MARCH 23 Second Peak Rain Day Pāhala area MARCH 24 Light Amounts KONA LOWS OF FEB 16-21, 2023 Summary In mid-February 2023, a pair of Kona low storm systems brought severe flash flooding to the state. The first storm began impacting the Big Island late on Thursday, February 16, and intensified on the morning of Friday, February 17. The Kaʻū District was hit heavily during this initial wave, with flooding forcing the closure of Highway 11 at Kawa Flats, Wood Valley Road, and Kaalaiki Road. The heavy rain intensified further early Saturday morning, with automated gauges (including at Kapapala Ranch) recording extreme rainfall rates of more than 3 inches per hour. This kept several roads impassable across the Kaʻū and Puna districts until the storm finally diminished on Saturday night. After a brief break on Sunday, February 19, the second storm system arrived. While its heaviest rainfall focused primarily on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, it still dropped rain over the slopes of the Kaʻū District on Monday, February 20. Even though the rainfall totals on the Big Island were relatively low during this second wave, the ground was already saturated from previous system. This caused immediate runoff and another episode of flooding that once again shut down Highway 11 at Kawa Flats. KONA LOWS OF FEBRUARY 16-21, 2023 DAILY PRECIPITATION - FEB 17, 2023 RADAR ESTIMATES Radar estimates suggest the heaviest rain fell from February 16-18, 2023. Additional lighter rain amounts occurred through February 21st. DAILY PRECIPITATION - FEB 18, 2023 FLOODING OF NOV 1-3, 2000 Summary In early November 2000, the remnants of Tropical Storm Paul interacted with an upper-level trough resulting in thunderstorms and historic flooding for Hawaiʻi County. The heaviest rain fell between November 1 and November 2, severely impacting the Kaʻū District. A rain gauge at Kapapala Ranch near Pāhala recorded an astonishing 38.97 inches of rain, with 37.02 inches falling in just a 24-hour period. This overwhelmed streams, carved out new flood channels, and triggered numerous landslides. Significant to catastrophic flooding impacts occurred across the Kaʻū, Puna, and Hilo districts. Flooding damaged or destroyed four bridges along the Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11), and damaged or destroyed nearly 300 homes. FLOODING OF NOV 1-3, 2000 STORM TOTAL PRECIPITATION - FEB 17, 2023 TOTAL RAINFALL Rain totals exceeding 30 inches we reported in portions of the Kaʻū District during this event. SELECT RAIN TOTALS