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Home My WebLink About2026-04-14 KCDP Minutes Final KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 FINAL MINUTES 4 April 14, 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 12:04 p.m. The meeting was held in person at the West 8 Hawaiʻi Civic Center – Building G, and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://youtu.be/I1joldTwVR4?si=FOgnZ_Z8tyXfv4Yf 11 Roll Call 12 Members Present (in person): 13 • John Pelletier, Chair 14 • Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair 15 • Charla Thompson 16 • Charles Young 17 Members Present (via Zoom): Shane Palacat-Nelsen 18 Members Absent: Raymond “RJ” Kirchner and Roselyn Molina 19 Planning Department Staff Present (in person): 20 • Janice Hata 21 • Maryam Palma 22 • Jessica Lahip 23 • Kawelo Kalili 24 There were approximately 19 members of the public in attendance (four in person and 15 25 via Zoom). 26 Approval of Minutes 27 Chair Pelletier requested approval of the March 10, 2026 draft meeting minutes at 28 approximately 12:07 p.m. Vice Chair Pisicchio moved to approve the minutes, and 29 Committee Member Thompson seconded the motion. There being no discussion or 30 corrections, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the March 10, 2026 draft 31 meeting minutes. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:06] 32 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 14, 2026 2 Public Testimony on Agenda Items 33 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on agenda items at approximately 12:08 p.m. 34 Testimony was received primarily regarding Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 66, Draft 2, the 35 Draft General Plan 2045, and the proposed General Plan 2026. 36 Michelle Melendez testified in opposition to General Plan 2045 and in support of the 2026 37 proposal. She stated that the 2045 draft is too lengthy, vague, and difficult for the County 38 to implement, and expressed concern that its language would allow outside organizations 39 and stakeholders to influence Hawaiʻi Island planning. She also raised concerns about 40 climate change-related policy language and asked the Committee to support the 2026 41 proposal, while noting that maps are needed. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 04:42] 42 Donna Thompson testified in support of the 2026 proposal and raised concerns about 43 General Plan 2045, including alleged links to outside templates, sustainability initiatives, 44 privacy rights, rezoning, and implementation complexity. She stated that the general plan 45 should be streamlined, simpler to understand, and made available for broader public 46 review, including maps. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 09:36] 47 Sarahlee Kittons testified against General Plan 2045 and in support of the 2026 proposal. 48 She stated that the 2045 draft includes vague policies that could allow outside 49 stakeholders to influence land use decisions and expressed concern about data systems, 50 resource management, and community control. She urged more local involvement in 51 planning. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 14:13] 52 Kevin Hill testified against General Plan 2045 and in support of the 2026 proposal, with 53 reservations. He stated that any new plan should still go through public review, the 54 Planning Commission, and County Council. He also expressed concern that Hilo has not 55 had an updated Community Development Plan and that public testimony during earlier 56 stages of the General Plan process had not been adequately incorporated. [SEE 57 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 17:38] 58 Janice Palma-Glennie testified in support of continuing work on General Plan 2045 rather 59 than replacing it with the 2026 proposal. She stated that community-based land use 60 planning, CDPs, maps, zoning guidance, and implementation provisions are important 61 tools for protecting natural and cultural resources, reducing sprawl, and supporting future 62 planning. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:16] 63 Juhl Rayne testified in support of the 2026 proposal and against General Plan 2045. She 64 expressed concern that the 2045 draft could affect property rights and described the 65 document as too long and influenced by outside agendas. She stated that the 2026 66 proposal is not perfect but is preferable. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 26:27] 67 Lily Booth testified about concerns related to land clearing, development, public 68 awareness, and access in South Kona. She stated that local families need more 69 information and education about land use planning and the General Plan process, and 70 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 14, 2026 3 that meeting times can make participation difficult for working residents. [SEE YOUTUBE 71 TIMESTAMP 30:20] 72 Millicent Cummings testified in opposition to General Plan 2045 while expressing 73 concerns about voting on the 2026 proposal without associated maps and without a 74 complete public process. She raised concerns about procedure, Sunshine Law 75 compliance, Hilo’s lack of an updated CDP, Hawaiian Home Lands, and public trust 76 resources. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 34:30] 77 Melvin Mason Jr. testified regarding Bill 66, Draft 2, and the proposed draft General Plan 78 2026. He urged the Committee to ground its decision in kuleana and stated that the 79 General Plan guides land use, infrastructure, economic development, and protection of 80 cultural and natural resources. He expressed concern that replacing General Plan 2045 81 with a substantial rewrite could undermine public process, Native Hawaiian rights, 82 consultation, and the County’s ability to influence decisions affecting federal lands [SEE 83 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 41:31] 84 Josephine Keliʻipio testified against General Plan 2045 and stated that she had changed 85 her earlier position after reviewing concerns about the plan’s climate change-related 86 content. She urged rejection of the 2045 draft. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 47:32] 87 Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 88 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 89 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 90 in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 91 such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. No third-party reports were 92 presented. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 51:40] 93 Business 94 Chair Pelletier reordered the agenda to take up Business Item 2, regarding Hawaiʻi County 95 Council Bill 66 (Draft 2), as the first item of business. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:20] 96 1. Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 66 (Draft 2): The AC will discuss Bill 66 (Draft 2), 97 including its potential implications for the Kona CDP and any relevant developments 98 arising from the April 7, 2026 meeting of the County Council Policy Committee on 99 Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development. The AC will consider submitting 100 testimony to the Council on this matter. Supporting materials are included in the 101 meeting packet: 102 • Communication No. 2026-05 Testimony of Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow – Bill 103 66, Draft 2 104 • Communication No. 2026-06 Documents and Supporting Information – Bill 66, 105 Draft 2 106 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 14, 2026 4 This item was called to order at approximately 12:56 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 107 51:45] 108 Chair Pelletier summarized the status of Draft General Plan 2045, which was before 109 Council as Bill 66, Draft 2, and described Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz’s 110 proposed substitute document, referred to during the meeting as the “General Plan 111 2026” proposal. He noted that the 2026 proposal was introduced as an amendment to 112 General Plan 2045, that Corporation Counsel had discussed whether such a 113 substantial change could proceed, and that additional public, state, and federal 114 consultation would likely be required if the proposed substitute moved forward. Chair 115 Pelletier also noted that the 2026 proposal did not yet include maps, while land use 116 maps are a required component of the General Plan. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 117 52:54] 118 Vice Chair Pisicchio stated that the proposed 2026 document was concerning 119 because, if adopted as a substitute amendment, it would replace the 2045 draft rather 120 than remain as a separate option for further work. She stated that the 2026 proposal 121 is too stripped down, removes important planning and implementation material, and 122 reduces opportunities for community participation. She cited the implementation 123 chapter of the 2005 General Plan as an example of language that helped establish the 124 CDP program. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 56:25] 125 Committee Member Young stated that it was concerning for a substantially different 126 proposal to be introduced late in the process. He said that, although he did not agree 127 with every part of the General Plan 2045 process, he did not believe the existing draft 128 should be dismissed. He also emphasized that the world and planning issues are more 129 complex than they were decades ago, and that the County needs to recognize 130 changing environmental conditions, including impacts to reefs and ocean resources. 131 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:02:03] 132 Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen commented on outside influences, aloha ʻāina, the 133 need to uphold public process, and the importance of scrutinizing planning 134 amendments while recognizing the long history of outside influence in Hawaiʻi. [SEE 135 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:05:49] 136 Vice Chair Pisicchio moved that the Kona CDP Action Committee recommend that the 137 Council not support the substitution requested through Communication 372.192 and 138 instead work collaboratively to make further improvements to and adopt Bill 66, Draft 139 2, the 2045 General Plan. The motion stated that Bill 66, Draft 2, includes visions, 140 objectives, policies, actions, and implementation provisions compatible with the Kona 141 CDP and that the proposed substitute does not qualify as an amendment but 142 constitutes a complete rewrite and new general plan. Committee Member Young 143 seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:08:22] 144 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 14, 2026 5 Chair Pelletier stated that neither plan is exactly what the County needs, but that 145 continuing to work from the 2045 draft would provide a better path than starting over 146 with a proposal written by one council member and not yet supported by the same 147 level of community or Planning Department collaboration. Vice Chair Pisicchio further 148 noted that General Plan 2045 includes a section supporting the County planning 149 system and the CDP program, while the proposed 2026 substitute eliminates much of 150 that material. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:13:13] 151 The Committee voted unanimously to submit the testimony to Council, with Chair 152 Pelletier to present or submit the testimony as appropriate. [SEE YOUTUBE 153 TIMESTAMP 01:16:41] 154 This item concluded at approximately 1:17 p.m. 155 Quorum was lost at approximately 1:17 p.m. when Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen 156 left the meeting. The Committee continued with discussion only and took no further 157 action. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:17:14] 158 2. Tree City USA Designation: Committee Member Charla Thompson will provide an 159 update on the County’s designation as a Tree City USA community. Discussion on next 160 steps and potential action to follow. 161 This item was called to order at approximately 1:22 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 162 01:18:32] 163 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on this item. No public testimony was 164 provided. 165 Committee Member Thompson reported that the County had officially received the 166 Tree City USA designation and that she had begun reviewing suggested next steps. 167 She described possible future work, including forming a committee or nonprofit effort, 168 identifying a steering committee, coordinating with arborists and County departments, 169 planting appropriate trees in parks and along public roadways, increasing shade in 170 parking lots and walking areas, supporting arboretums and educational projects, and 171 exploring grants and maintenance funding. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:18:59] 172 Vice Chair Pisicchio thanked Committee Member Thompson for her work and 173 suggested that the AC invite people with direct experience in Tree City USA 174 implementation to provide a public presentation. She suggested that County staff and 175 community members with arborist experience, including Kevin Sullivan, may be able 176 to help explain what the designation requires and what opportunities it creates. 177 Committee Member Young noted that funding, potential ordinance changes, and 178 possible capital improvement needs may need to be considered once the program 179 requirements are better understood. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:22:06] 180 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 14, 2026 6 Discussion also addressed the importance of tree species selection, cultural and 181 traditional practices, use of trees for food and lāʻau lapaʻau, maintenance of existing 182 trees, tree safety, shade, walkability, and coordination with other organizations. 183 Committee Member Thompson stated that she would begin identifying presenters and 184 next steps for a future discussion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:27:55] 185 This item concluded at approximately 1:41 p.m. 186 Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 187 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 869 (2025), signed into law as Act 53, testimony on matters 188 not on the agenda may be limited to three minutes per speaker. Chair Pelletier called for 189 testimony at approximately 1:46 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:42:07] 190 Janice Palma-Glennie provided testimony regarding the General Plan process. She stated 191 that she agreed with some concerns raised by testifiers about process and public 192 outreach, while also believing that planners had tried to engage the public. She stated 193 that some meetings felt too top-down and urged broader outreach and improved meeting 194 formats to help rebuild trust and incorporate public concerns through the General Plan 195 2045 process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:42:42] 196 Proposed New Business 197 This item was called to order at approximately 1:49 p.m. Committee members discussed 198 placing the General Plan on the next agenda for a report on Council action, continuing 199 discussion of the Tree City USA designation and next steps, and exploring whether 200 Committee Member Young would have a water-related update. Committee members also 201 discussed coordinating Tree City USA information with the other CDP Action Committees. 202 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:45:13] 203 Announcements 204 Chair Pelletier provided an update on Senate Bill 2372, Relating to Trees. He stated that 205 the AC had submitted testimony, that the bill had passed House committees with minor 206 amendments, and that the Committee’s testimony had been referenced in committee 207 reports. He reported that the bill had passed third reading in the House and would next 208 move through the remaining legislative process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:48:48] 209 Chair Pelletier also announced Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 147, relating to short-term 210 vacation rentals. He explained that the bill would redefine hosted and unhosted short-term 211 vacation rentals, identify where such uses may operate, and proceed through the Planning 212 Commissions before returning to Council. Janice Palma-Glennie commented that vacation 213 rental regulation is important to land use and community planning even though the Kona 214 CDP may not expressly mention vacation rentals. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:51:43] 215 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of April 14, 2026 7 The Planning Department is seeking applicants for the Kona CDP Action Committee. 216 The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at: 217 https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions 218 The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026. 219 Adjournment 220 Chair Pelletier adjourned this meeting at 1:59 p.m. 221 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 222 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 223 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 224 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 225