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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-23 PCDP Minutes Draft PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 April 23, 2026 5 Call to Order and Roll Call 6 Chair Susie Osborne called the meeting of the Puna Community Development Plan (CDP) 7 Action Committee (AC) to order at 5:01 p.m. The meeting was held in person at the Keaʻau 8 Community Center and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://youtu.be/-V4j3g_HJic?si=hR_YuTcxITyNhu60 11 AC Members Present (in person): 12 • Susie Osborne, Chair 13 • Leilani DeMello, Vice Chair 14 • Stephanie Bath 15 • Franny Brewer 16 AC Members Present (via Zoom): Leila Kealoha 17 AC Members Absent: Jennifer Scheffel 18 Planning Department Staff Present: 19 • Janice Hata 20 • Jessica Lahip 21 • Maryam Palma 22 There were approximately 26 members of the public in attendance (20 in person and six 23 via Zoom). 24 Approval of the Minutes 25 Chair Osborne requested approval of the February 26, 2026 draft meeting minutes at 26 approximately 5:04 p.m. AC Member Bath moved to approve the minutes as drafted, and 27 AC Member DeMello seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. [SEE 28 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:48] 29 Public Testimony on Agenda Items 30 Chair Osborne called for public testimony on agenda items at approximately 5:04 p.m. No 31 public testimony was provided at this time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:18] 32 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 23, 2026 2 Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 33 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 34 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 35 in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 36 such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 04:21] 37 Road Connectivity Update 38 Patti Pinto of the Planning Department – Recovery Division provided an update on 39 Puna road connectivity and reported that the Department of Public Works (DPW) had 40 been reviewing three connectivity points that may be implemented in the coming year. 41 These connectivity projects would provide additional access for four subdivisions and 42 improve the ability of residents and first responders to travel between subdivisions and 43 Highway 11. 44 • Puhala extension between Fern Acres and Kopua Farm Lots/South Kopua Road: 45 This project would provide additional access for Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, 46 Kopua Farm Lots, and Eden Roc. Construction plans had been submitted and 47 that right-of-entry documents were being reviewed, including by Corporation 48 Counsel, because of title issues related to the road lot. 49 • Fern Forest and Eden Roc connection on Kaleponi: Patti Pinto described this as 50 a short connection, estimated at approximately 200 to 300 feet, that would 51 require clearing and dozing and would depend on cooperation between the 52 relevant community associations. 53 • Olaʻa Road connection: DPW had begun investigating ways to connect Olaʻa 54 Road to the upper area of Hawaiian Acres and Orchidland using and improving 55 existing roads where feasible. In response to a question, Patti Pinto clarified that 56 the route may cross the old Volcano Trail but would not use it. 57 Patti Pinto also noted recent state legislation allowing subdivisions without title to 58 certain subdivision roads to assume title when the corporation that originally held the 59 road lot has been dissolved for more than five years. The AC discussed the importance 60 of community association cooperation and continued updates on this work. 61 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 05:40] 62 Business 63 1. Keaʻau Benioff Health Center Project Presentation: Informational presentation by 64 project representatives regarding the proposed project and its relevance to the Puna 65 Community Development Plan. 66 This item was called to order at approximately 5:12 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 67 10:59] 68 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 23, 2026 3 Chair Osborne called for public testimony. No testimony was provided at this time. 69 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 11:55] 70 Dan Brinkman, Chief Executive Officer of Hilo Benioff Medical Center and the East 71 Hawaiʻi Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, presented information on the 72 proposed Keaʻau Benioff Health Center, which is intended to expand local access to 73 healthcare for Puna residents. A project video was shown describing the need for 74 primary, urgent, specialty, diagnostic, wellness, and behavioral health services in the 75 Puna region. The video can be accessed using the following link: 76 https://youtu.be/UV_tTSQZPVA?si=yPFmtfFzwf1cbkCX 77 Dan Brinkman stated that the project is planned for a 20-acre site in the Shipman area 78 near Keaʻau, within an area identified for regional services and commercial 79 development. The single-story facility is expected to open toward the end of 2028 or 80 early 2029, depending on permitting and approvals. He stated that the projected cost 81 had increased to approximately $80 million due in part to infrastructure needs at the 82 new location. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 19:08] 83 The proposed services include primary care, enhanced urgent care, specialty clinic 84 days or hours, diagnostic imaging, and outpatient behavioral health for children and 85 adults. Dan Brinkman clarified that the center is not planned as a hospital or 86 emergency room and would not receive ambulances; emergency cases would 87 continue to be transported to a hospital setting. He stated that the urgent care model 88 could safely handle a broader range of non-emergency needs because imaging 89 services are planned on site. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 33:14] 90 The presentation noted that imaging services are expected to include X-ray, 91 ultrasound, and CT, with possible mammography and future MRI as population growth 92 warrants. Behavioral health services were described as preventive and outpatient in 93 nature, not crisis or inpatient care, with space planned for both adult and child services. 94 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 35:05] 95 Committee members and the public asked questions about the existing Keaʻau clinic 96 near Longs, hospital services, dialysis, solar energy, staffing, local hiring, cultural 97 responsiveness, landscaping, and transparency. Dan Brinkman stated that the existing 98 clinic is part of East Hawaiʻi Health and could move into the new facility, though future 99 use of the current space had not been determined. He stated that a hospital is not 100 anticipated in Puna because of population, cost, and operational feasibility, that dialysis 101 presents similar sustainability challenges, and that solar is not currently planned based 102 on the organization’s return-on-investment analysis. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 103 41:17-54:48] 104 Peggy Farias of W.H. Shipman stated that Shipman is selling the land to the medical 105 center and that the area is envisioned in the Puna CDP and Shipman master planning 106 as a hub for regional services. She stated that Shipman is also discussing possible 107 county services nearby, including a fire station, police station, other county services, 108 commercial services, grocery options, and a possible transit hub. Chair Osborne 109 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 23, 2026 4 requested that Shipman return to present more concrete plans to the AC as the plans 110 develop. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 58:53] 111 No formal action was taken on this item. 112 This item concluded at approximately 6:00 p.m. 113 2. Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission 114 (PONC) Presentation: Informational presentation by County staff providing an 115 overview of the PONC nomination process, including properties in Puna that have 116 been nominated and/or are on the current priority list. 117 This item was called to order at approximately 6:01 p.m. There was no public testimony 118 at this time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:01:36] 119 Benjamin Schapiro, County staff assigned to the PONC program, provided an 120 overview of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation 121 Commission and the County’s land acquisition and stewardship processes. He stated 122 that PONC was established by public referendum in 2006 to preserve and protect the 123 natural beauty and cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi Island by acquiring and protecting 124 important coastal, cultural, and natural resources. He reported that, to date, the 125 program has helped protect 30 properties totaling nearly 11,000 acres islandwide. 126 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:02:36] 127 Benjamin Schapiro explained that nominations may be submitted by the public and 128 are considered annually, with the annual cycle closing at the end of January. 129 Nominated properties must meet at least one statutory purpose, such as recreation 130 and access, cultural or historic protection, natural resource preservation, agricultural 131 land preservation, or watershed protection. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:05:41] 132 The presentation included a summary of the PONC process: the PONC Commission 133 reviews nominations, conducts site visits, consults with nominators and community 134 members, scores and ranks properties, and prepares an annual report for the Mayor 135 by December 31. The report is then transmitted to the County Council, which may 136 adopt resolutions authorizing the Director of Finance to negotiate for acquisition by fee 137 simple purchase or conservation easement. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:07:12] 138 Benjamin Schapiro highlighted Puna properties, including Pohoiki Bay, acquired in 139 2015, and Waiʻele, acquired in 2021. He stated that Honolulu Landing was in active 140 negotiation and that the County hoped to close by the end of May 2026. He also noted 141 that Kumukahi had received a unanimous Council resolution the day before the 142 meeting. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:09:14] 143 The presentation also described the maintenance fund, which supports stewardship 144 grants to qualified community organizations. Benjamin Schapiro stated that grant 145 applications are expected to open in July and be due in August and clarified that the 146 $3 million cap discussed during the presentation is the total cap for the maintenance 147 fund, not an amount available to a single organization. He reported that the 148 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 23, 2026 5 preservation fund has approximately $22 to $24 million available. [SEE YOUTUBE 149 TIMESTAMP 01:10:32] 150 Chair Osborne noted that Puna has fewer PONC-acquired properties than some other 151 districts and encouraged continued attention to preserving important Puna lands. It 152 was also noted that the County is seeking applicants for a Puna representative on the 153 PONC. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:13:55] 154 Committee members and members of the public asked questions about stewardship, 155 multiple stewards on one parcel, state or county land, grant timelines, and parcel sizes. 156 Benjamin Schapiro stated that multiple stewards may be appropriate where roles are 157 clear, non-overlapping, and coordinated; there is no size requirement for nominated 158 parcels. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:15:43] 159 No formal action was taken on this item. 160 This item concluded at approximately 6:28 p.m. 161 Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 162 This item was called to order at approximately 6:29 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 163 01:27:32] 164 Dave Webb testified by Zoom and asked about public transparency in public-private 165 partnership decision-making. He also asked about the status of the County General Plan 166 and whether the Puna CDP would be updated to align with it. Chair Osborne and Council 167 Member Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder explained that the General Plan remains under review 168 and that review of the Puna CDP would occur after the General Plan is approved. [SEE 169 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:28:17] 170 Council Member Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder also discussed the importance of planning 171 holistically for Keaʻau and Puna as growth continues, including coordination among the 172 proposed health center, regional commercial and public services, police and fire facilities, 173 parks, public facilities, roads, water, sewer, and mass transit. He stated that police and fire 174 had prioritized the Keaʻau police and fire station project and that the Mayor had asked 175 departments to begin looking at design needs. He noted that the Pāhoa police and fire 176 facilities function as substations and that a Keaʻau facility could reduce travel time for calls 177 across the district. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:32:34] 178 In response to questions from AC Members, Council Member Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder stated 179 that the Puna Makai Alternative Route (PMAR) study had been completed and that DPW 180 would be organizing community meetings with affected communities. AC Members 181 emphasized that PMAR discussions should include the broader Puna community because 182 regional traffic and evacuation routes affect communities beyond the immediate route 183 area. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:39:48] 184 This item concluded at approximately 6:45 p.m. 185 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 23, 2026 6 Proposed New Business 186 At approximately 6:46 p.m., committee members and members of the public suggested 187 several items for future agendas, including: 188 • Continued road connectivity updates from Patti Pinto as a recurring update. 189 • An update on Kīlauea recovery projects. 190 • Discussion of food security issues, including possible incentives or support for 191 people growing food. 192 • Future presentations from County departments and/or partners regarding the 193 Keaʻau police and fire station, parks and recreation, mass transit, Shipman area 194 planning, and other regional services related to the Puna CDP. 195 • Follow-up on the PMAR study and upcoming public meetings, with attention to 196 broader Puna impacts. 197 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:43:00] 198 Judi Houle of Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP), co-chair of the Sustainable Development 199 Committee, requested assistance regarding a proposed commercial development by 200 Ohana Foods and Gas and Pacific Realty Organization, LLC, on approximately 20 acres in 201 HPP. She stated that the proposal discussed with residents included a grocery store and 202 gas station, with possible future phases. She raised concerns about agricultural zoning, 203 deed history, subdivision roads, lack of water, sewer, sidewalks, streetlights, access, traffic, 204 safety, road maintenance costs, possible pollution, and the County and State permitting 205 process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:46:42] 206 Chair Osborne encouraged a discussion with Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow. Council 207 Member Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder noted that any special management area, special permit, 208 rezoning, or related permit process would include public notice and opportunities for 209 testimony. AC Members also encouraged review of the Puna CDP and asked that Judi 210 Houle return with updates. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:51:24] 211 Announcements 212 Chair Osborne provided announcements at approximately 6:59 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE 213 TIMESTAMP 01:57:42] 214 The County of Hawaiʻi announced the launch of the Coastal Zone Management Atlas, a 215 new online tool to help the public explore coastal hazards and ecosystems. The Planning 216 Department announced informational webinars to introduce the Atlas, including a May 7, 217 2026 webinar from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 218 The Planning Department is continuing to seek applicants for the Puna CDP Action 219 Committee and encouraged interested community members to apply through the 220 County’s boards and commissions process. The link to the boards and commissions 221 website can be accessed here: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-222 commissions 223 PUNA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 23, 2026 7 The next meeting of the Puna CDP Action Committee was announced for Thursday, June 224 25, 2026. 225 Adjournment 226 Chair Osborne adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:01 p.m. 227 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Puna 228 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 229 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 230 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 231