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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-09 KCDP Meeting Packet County of Hawai‘i KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor John Pelletier, Chair Raymond Kirchner Vacant Shane Palacat-Nelsen Charles Young Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair Charla Thompson Vacant Roselyn Molina NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the following matters to be considered by the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee (AC) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 92-3.7 and 92-7, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS). This meeting will be held in person at the location listed in this notice and by Interactive Conference Technology (ICT) through Zoom. DATE: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. LOCATION: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building G (Community Meeting Hale) 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/v2QZv267SAOLYOBfYvlKIA INTERACTIVE CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (ICT): A meeting held by ICT shall be automatically recessed for up to 30 minutes to restore communication when audiovisual communication cannot be maintained with all members participating in the meeting or with the in-person location identified in this notice. The meeting may reconvene when either audiovisual communication is restored, or audio-only communication is established after an unsuccessful attempt to restore audiovisual communication. If it is not possible to reconvene the meeting as provided in this subsection within 30 minutes after an interruption to communication, the meeting will be automatically terminated. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: The public may provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining Zoom or attending in-person at the physical location listed above. Although not required, to register in advance for oral testimony please contact staff at CDP@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8288. 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. 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. Please specify the agenda item for which written testimony is being submitted. All written testimony will be a part of the public record and may be submitted by email or hard copy. Hard copy submissions should include one original and nine copies. 2 AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The AC will consider approving the draft minutes from the May 12, 2026 meeting. III. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS: Pursuant to Section 92-3, HRS, interested persons may provide oral testimony either at this time or when the applicable agenda item is called. IV. 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 provides notice of decision-making on the matter. V. BUSINESS 1. Introduction to the Tree City USA Program: Presentation by Leʻa Kaʻahaʻaina of the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program regarding the Tree City USA program, including an overview of the program’s purpose, eligibility requirements, benefits, and opportunities for community participation. Discussion and potential action to follow. 2. Urban Forestry Presentation: Presentation by Jill Wagner, forester and tree advocate, regarding urban forestry and tree stewardship efforts in cities around the world, including strategies for improving county tree maintenance practices, appropriate species selection, and long-term urban forestry management to support climate resilience and watershed health. Discussion and potential action to follow. 3. Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 66 (Draft 2), Relating to the County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 2045: The AC will discuss Bill 66 (Draft 2), including updates from the first and second readings before the Hawaiʻi County Council and potential implications for the Kona CDP. The AC may consider and take action, including the submission of testimony to the County Council. 4. Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 147, Relating to Transient Accommodations: The AC will discuss Bill 147, including potential implications for the Kona CDP. Potential action to follow. 5. Holomua Marine Initiative Talk Story Update: AC Member Charles Young will provide an update regarding recent community talk story sessions held across Hawaiʻi Island and ongoing efforts related to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources Holomua Marine Initiative. Discussion may follow. For more information, visit the following link: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/holomua/hawai%ca%bbi-island-talk-story-events/ VI. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA VII. PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS: The AC will discuss potential agenda items for future meetings. VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS 3 • Mālama ʻAimakapā Community Workdays at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Park: Thursday, June 11, 2026 (8:30 am-12 pm) Thursday, July 9, 2026 (8:30 am-12 pm) Saturday, July 11, 2026 (8:30 am-12 pm) • The Planning Department is seeking applicants for the Kona CDP Action Committee. The application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions • The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026 IX. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE: This agenda and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public Documents Repository: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/fol/9059/Row1.aspx. These documents may also be requested from the Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. The recorded video of this meeting will be uploaded to the Planning Department’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cohplanningdepartment 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: KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE JOHN PELLETIER, Chair KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4 May 12, 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 12:02 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/MPNgUn08EaQ?si=TuU9QntFSAukWJwy 11 Roll Call 12 Members Present (in person): 13 • John Pelletier, Chair 14 • Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair 15 • Charles Young 16 • Charla Thompson 17 • Raymond “RJ” Kirchner 18 Members Present (via Zoom): Shane Palacat-Nelsen 19 Members Absent: Roselyn Molina 20 Planning Department Staff Present: 21 • Janice Hata 22 • Maryam Palma 23 • Kawelo Kalili (via Zoom) 24 There were approximately eight members of the public in attendance (three in person 25 and five via Zoom). 26 Approval of Minutes 27 Chair Pelletier requested approval of the April 14, 2026 draft meeting minutes at 28 approximately 12:05 p.m. Vice Chair Pisicchio moved to approve the minutes, and 29 Committee Member Young seconded the motion. There being no discussion or 30 corrections, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the April 14, 2026 draft meeting 31 minutes. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:47] 32 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 12, 2026 2 Public Testimony on Agenda Items 33 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on agenda items at approximately 12:06 p.m. 34 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:41] 35 Josephine Keliʻipio testified regarding Bill 66 and the Draft General Plan 2045. She 36 referenced testimony and discussion from the May 4, 2026 County Council Planning 37 Committee meeting, expressed concern that the 2045 draft includes too many actions 38 compared with the 2005 General Plan, raised concerns about map errors and Planning 39 Department capacity, and questioned whether amendments would be allowed after 40 adoption. She stated that General Plan 2045 is poorly written, contains mistakes, and 41 should not be adopted without an amendment process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 42 04:32] 43 Chair Pelletier acknowledged written testimony from Eugene Elmer in opposition to Bill 66 44 and written testimony from Leslie Cook urging a veto of Bill 66. [SEE YOUTUBE 45 TIMESTAMP 07:02] 46 Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 47 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 48 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 49 in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 50 such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. Chair Pelletier called for third-party 51 reports from government officials. No third-party reports were presented. [SEE YOUTUBE 52 TIMESTAMP 07:19] 53 Business 54 1. Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 66 (Draft 2): The AC will discuss Bill 66 (Draft 2), 55 including updates from the May 4, 2026 meeting of the County Council Policy 56 Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development. The AC may take 57 action, including the consideration of submitting testimony to the County Council. 58 This item was called to order at approximately 12:10 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 59 07:33] 60 Chair Pelletier asked whether there was additional public testimony on Bill 66. No 61 additional public testimony was provided. Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen 62 reported that he had attended part of the May 4 Council committee meeting and 63 understood that Council members had emphasized the importance of public process 64 and the process followed for General Plan 2045. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 08:00] 65 Vice Chair Pisicchio summarized the outcome of the Council committee discussion. 66 She stated that the Committee had previously submitted testimony supporting General 67 Plan 2045 and opposing the proposed 2026 substitute document, and that the Council 68 committee vote was 5-4 in favor of moving forward with the 2045 plan and rejecting 69 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 12, 2026 3 consideration of the 2026 proposal. She stated that amendment procedures for the 70 2045 plan remained unclear, but she believed the County should move forward 71 because the general plan comprehensive review had been underway for many years 72 and because the 2045 draft contains tools that may support implementation of the 73 Kona CDP. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 09:22] 74 Committee Member Kirchner stated that, without an updated general plan and without 75 a current Community Development Plan, the County effectively lacks planning 76 direction and land use decisions may be driven by those with the most influence. He 77 stated that the proposed general plan should be supported because the County needs 78 written rules for land development. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:19] 79 Committee Member Young stated that the AC should remain consistent with its prior 80 position of supporting the plan and acknowledging the many years of work that had 81 gone into it. Committee Member Thompson stated that she had concerns about 82 General Plan 2045, including whether certain safeguards, infrastructure language, and 83 community protections were sufficiently clear, but that she was more comfortable 84 moving forward if there is an amendment process and if the CDPs continue to have 85 influence. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 14:17] 86 Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen stated that he supported the motion and reiterated 87 his prior position. He spoke as a Native Hawaiian and generational resident of 88 Nāpōʻopoʻo, stating that Kanaka are connected to the environment and that he 89 believed General Plan 2045 was the plan currently before the County that supports 90 that connection. Vice Chair Pisicchio stated that the 2045 plan places stronger 91 emphasis on cultural preservation than the 2005 General Plan. [SEE YOUTUBE 92 TIMESTAMP 21:00] 93 Vice Chair Pisicchio moved that the Kona CDP AC recommend that the Hawaiʻi County 94 Council adopt Bill 66, Draft 2, General Plan 2045. The motion stated that the last 95 comprehensive review of the General Plan was completed with the adoption of General 96 Plan 2005; that the Planning Director initiated review of General Plan 2005 by public 97 notice on February 6, 2015; that the review resulted in 2025 meetings before the 98 Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions, which voted to forward a favorable 99 recommendation to the County Council; that the AC hopes the Council will approve 100 General Plan 2045 before the upcoming election; and that the AC believes the 101 document contains visions, objectives, policies, actions, and implementation tools that 102 align with the Kona CDP. Committee Member Kirchner seconded the motion. [SEE 103 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:47] 104 Chair Pelletier stated that Council discussion had helped address some concerns 105 about whether the general plan could be used for government overreach, and he 106 stated that long-range planning is at a standstill until the general plan is completed. 107 Committee Member Thompson asked whether the Kona CDP would continue to have 108 influence under the plan, and Vice Chair Pisicchio stated that the CDP is included in 109 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 12, 2026 4 the 2045 plan. Committee Member Thompson stated that this made her more 110 comfortable because the CDP provides an important safeguard for community 111 planning. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 25:47] 112 The Committee voted unanimously to submit the testimony at an upcoming Council 113 meeting. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 27:41] 114 Following the vote, Committee members continued discussing concerns raised by the 115 public, including use of the word “stakeholder,” interpretations of landowner rights, 116 and the limits of government authority. Vice Chair Pisicchio stated that she 117 understands stakeholders to include residents and others with kuleana to the island, 118 while others may interpret the term as referring to outside special interests. Committee 119 Member Kirchner stated that government already has eminent domain powers subject 120 to just compensation and that the General Plan does not change those constitutional 121 requirements. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 28:05] 122 This item concluded at approximately 12:34 p.m. 123 2. Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 147, Relating to Transient Accommodations: The AC 124 will discuss Bill 147 and its potential implications for the Kona CDP. The AC may take 125 action, including the consideration of submitting testimony to the County Council. 126 This item was called to order at approximately 12:34 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 127 31:59] 128 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on this item. 129 Jason Masters, Chair of the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee, 130 testified as a private individual. He expressed concern that the bill’s definitions of short-131 term vacation rental, transient vacation rental, hosted use, and bed and breakfast were 132 confusing and could make enforcement more difficult. He stated that the code should 133 clearly identify what is being regulated and who is responsible. [SEE YOUTUBE 134 TIMESTAMP 33:23] 135 Kalei Kailikini testified via Zoom regarding short-term rentals. She stated that 136 government should not regulate short-term rentals because people use them to earn 137 income and should be able to support themselves. She also raised concerns about 138 housing costs, fixed-income residents, Maui fire-related rental impacts, hotel interests, 139 and the need for decision makers to hear different perspectives. [SEE YOUTUBE 140 TIMESTAMP 39:11] 141 Chair Pelletier presented an overview of Bill 147. He explained that the bill would revise 142 definitions and regulations for transient vacation rentals, including distinguishing 143 between hosted and unhosted rentals. He stated that, under his understanding of the 144 bill, transient vacation rental would be the broader umbrella term, hosted rentals would 145 replace or modify the existing bed-and-breakfast framework, and short-term vacation 146 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 12, 2026 5 rentals would refer to unhosted whole-unit rentals. He noted that hosted rentals would 147 become allowable uses in many residential zones, while unhosted rentals would 148 continue to be allowed in certain districts and would be expanded into commercial 149 neighborhood districts. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 46:59] 150 Chair Pelletier stated that his proposed testimony focused on unhosted short-term 151 vacation rentals in multifamily residential and commercial neighborhood districts. He 152 stated that Kona has the largest concentration of vacation rentals on the island and 153 that allowing unhosted rentals in multifamily residential zones contributes to housing 154 pressure, particularly for condominiums and other higher-density housing that could 155 otherwise support residents near employment and services. He presented zoning and 156 CDP excerpts regarding affordable housing in the urban core and housing near major 157 employment centers, and stated that the AC should ask that unhosted short-term 158 vacation rentals be removed as an allowable use in multifamily residential and 159 commercial neighborhood districts. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 53:40] 160 Committee Member Kirchner raised concerns about allowing the same vacation rental 161 use across multiple zoning districts and questioned the purpose of zoning if multifamily 162 residential districts are treated similarly to resort districts. He stated that allowing short-163 term rentals in multifamily residential zoning reduces the supply of long-term rentals 164 and drives up long-term rental costs. He further stated that removing short-term 165 rentals from multifamily residential zoning would make future multifamily zoning more 166 acceptable to the public because it would be more clearly tied to housing for residents 167 rather than investor-owned vacation rentals. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 55:28] 168 Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen described changes in Kealakekua Bay, stating that 169 very few generational residents remain and that vacation rental activity has affected 170 village life, cultural resources, shoreline resources, and community management 171 efforts. He stated that regulation is needed and that visitors using residential areas as 172 resorts can create impacts on local communities. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 173 01:00:33] 174 Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen moved to support the proposed testimony, and 175 Vice Chair Pisicchio seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:02:50] 176 Committee Member Thompson asked about the permitting process for bed-and-177 breakfast uses and discussed neighborhood impacts from vacation rentals based on 178 her own experience. Committee members discussed nonconforming use certificates, 179 grandfathering of existing uses, whether grandfathered uses can be phased out, and 180 whether the County could limit existing short-term vacation rental approvals upon 181 transfer or sale of a property. Committee Member Kirchner asked staff whether 182 Corporation Counsel could provide guidance on whether grandfathered short-term 183 vacation rental use could expire upon sale of a property. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 184 01:03:28] 185 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 12, 2026 6 Committee Member Young proposed an amendment to add language indicating that 186 the AC’s testimony was identifying this concern “among other things,” so that the 187 testimony would make clear that the AC may have additional concerns about Bill 147 188 after further review. Vice Chair Pisicchio seconded the amendment. Committee 189 Member Young also described enforcement concerns based on vacation rental 190 impacts in Volcano, stating that unpermitted or poorly regulated rentals can create 191 neighborhood conflicts and that enforcement capacity is critical. [SEE YOUTUBE 192 TIMESTAMP 01:11:34] 193 Chair Pelletier stated that the testimony would be amended to include the “among 194 other things” language and that the Committee could continue reviewing other parts 195 of Bill 147 at a future meeting. Vice Chair Pisicchio stated that the bill is complex and 196 that the hosted-rental provisions also warrant further discussion. [SEE YOUTUBE 197 TIMESTAMP 01:22:34] 198 The Committee voted unanimously to submit the amended testimony at an upcoming 199 Planning Commission meeting if Bill 147 is scheduled. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 200 01:23:34] 201 This item concluded at approximately 1:26 p.m. 202 Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 203 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on matters not on the agenda at approximately 204 1:26 p.m. No public testimony was provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:24:08] 205 Proposed New Business 206 This item was called to order at approximately 1:27 p.m. Committee members discussed 207 placing Bill 147 back on the next agenda, and possibly Bill 66 if additional Council action 208 occurs. Committee Member Thompson stated that she hoped to provide a Tree City USA 209 update and had reached out to potential presenters regarding Tree City USA, tree 210 standards, and procedures. Committee Member Young requested that the Holomua 211 Marine Initiative and aquarium fish collecting be placed on a future agenda because those 212 matters affect Kona residents even though they are largely within State jurisdiction. [SEE 213 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:24:41] 214 Announcements 215 Chair Pelletier announced upcoming Mālama ʻAimakapā Community Workdays at Kaloko-216 Honokōhau National Historical Park. Workdays were scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 217 June 11, July 9, and July 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. He stated that volunteers had 218 recently helped remove invasive plants and that the area is also a good place for 219 birdwatching. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:26:09] 220 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 12, 2026 7 Chair Pelletier announced Holomua Marine Initiative talk story sessions scheduled for 221 Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Yano Hall, and Thursday, May 222 21, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi Big Game Fishing Club. [SEE 223 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:27:30] 224 The Planning Department is seeking applicants for the Kona CDP Action Committee. The 225 application can be found on the Mayor’s office website at: 226 https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions 227 Vice Chair Pisicchio announced that several members had participated in training 228 regarding legislative changes to the Sunshine Law affecting CDP Action Committees, 229 including the ability to receive testimony on matters not on the agenda. She stated that 230 the training was useful and thanked staff for organizing it. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 231 01:28:16] 232 The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026. 233 Adjournment 234 Chair Pelletier adjourned the meeting at 1:32 p.m. 235 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 236 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 237 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 238 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 239 Communication No. 2026-08 | hunden.com | ©2025 Hunden 19 Visitation Trends (Con’t.) Hunden used Azira data from 2024 to identify visitor trends to various points of interest on the Island of Hawai‘i. ▪Of the top 30 points of interest on Hawai‘i Island, more than half of all visits occurred at the top four locations, with Kailua-Kona Town receiving the largest share at 25.7 percent. ▪The top locations include local neighborhoods, national parks, and retail districts, indicating that visitors prioritize cultural experiences, outdoor recreation, and retail spending during their vacations. ▪Of all non-resident visits to points of interest on Hawai‘i Island, 97 percent originated domestically from other parts of the United States, while only 3 percent were international visitors. ▪The average number of visits to all points of interest, across both domestic and international visitors, was 5.9 times. ▪The top origin state for domestic visits was California (28.9 percent), while the leading origin countries for international visits were Canada and Japan, at 27.9 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively Top 30 Points of Interest on Hawai‘i Island Percent Share of Visits by Visitors to Hawai‘i Island Kona CDP Housing and Transportation Goals Housing Transportation Strategies 1 Hata, Janice From:Lauray Walsh Sent:Sunday, June 7, 2026 10:28 PM To:Planning CDP Subject:Written Testimony for CDP Meeting June 9, 2026 RE: Agenda Item 4 Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 147, Relating to Transient Accommodations Aloha! I wish to comment on the Testimony submitted in the May 12th CDP Meeting Minutes RE: Bill 147, in which Chair Pelletier stated... "the AC should ask that unhosted short-term vacation rentals be removed as an allowable use in multifamily residential and commercial neighborhood districts. In addition Committee Member Kirchner stated that... "allowing short-term rentals in multifamily residential zoning reduces the supply of long-term rentals and drives up long-term rental costs. Removing short-term rentals from multifamily residential zoning would make future multifamily zoning more acceptable to the public because it would be more clearly tied to housing for residents rather than investor-owned vacation rentals." I am a 25 year resident of Kailua Kona, and I agree with these statements, as I am unable to enjoy the security of a place to call home, because of the Short Term Vacation Rental industry. Why are kamaʻāina being forced out of one of the most desirable parts of our town, which are the multifamily condos along Alii Drive? For over 2 years I have been unable to find a long-term rental at the beach. I appreciate the council's attempts to create a bill that will further regulate STVRs, so we who live and work in Kona can continue to do so, and not be driven to rural areas or worse to the mainland, due to no affordable long-term housing availability. All this said... My Testimony pertains to Bill 104 (passed in 2024), which created the Long-Term Rental (LTR) property tax classification. This bill perplexes me as it seems to be further exacerbate the long term rental problem, rather than help it, as it was intended to do. This Bill allows properties rented to the same tenant for 6 consecutive months or longer to qualify for a significantly lower tax rate (e.g., $7.75 per $1,000 of net assessed value) compared to standard Residential Tier 1 ($11.10) or higher-tiered second home classes ($14.50). You do not need to be a Hawaii resident to qualify for the LTR program; out-of-state owners can use it. In a misguided effort to provide more long-term housing, the council has decided to reward homeowners who rent their home for 6 months. Which is NOT a long-term rental. With all due respect... what does this solve? We need REAL long-term rentals. Has anyone on the County Council considered what it would be like to have to move every 6 months? Because that's what's happening here in Kailua Kona. 2 Bill 104 has rules with loopholes, whereby a landlord can use the tax break to rent to a local resident for six months, and then leave the home empty, or use it themselves for the rest of the year. They do not have to renew your lease when the six months are up. It allows landlords to keep their options open. They can even leave the home empty for up to a year claiming they are making renovations. In the meantime they can rent as an STVR and no one would be the wiser. Who is going to police this? For someone looking for a stable home, moving every six months creates a great deal of stress, high costs, and constant worry. Six months is far too short to provide true housing security for our local community. Thank you for your consideration, Lauray Walsh Tree City County of Hawai ʻi Leʻa Kaʻahaʻaina, Education & Outreach Coordinator Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program (DLNR-DOFAW) June 9, 2026 Selecting a tree at Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden Arbor Day 2024 Communication No. 2026-10 MISSION To support all of Hawaiʻi’s communities with a focus on equity to cultivate well-being and resilience through restorative & environmental justice, planting, caring for, and growing relationships with the trees and forests where we live, work, learn and play. WHO WE ARE 2 Trees and forests where we live, work, learn, and play Wao Kanaka TREES HELP IMPROVE 5 WATER & AIR QUALITY CLIMATE RESILIENCE ECONOMY HUMAN HEALTH COMMUNITY SAFETY EQUITY EDUCATION FOOD SECURITY WHAT WE DO 6 Community Coconut Program Shade Trees for Schools Program TREE CITY USA Started in 1976. For communities to manage and expand their public trees. 7 TREE CAMPUS HIGHER EDUCATION Started in 2008. For colleges and universities to establish and sustain healthy community forests. TREE CAMPUS K-12 Started in 2022. For K-12 campuses to inspire the next generation of tree stewards through experiences that bring the benefits of trees to life both inside and outside the classroom. WHAT IS TREE CITY USA? 8 Tree City USA is an annual national recognition program designed to: ●raise awareness of the value of community trees ●set foundational standards for communities of all sizes ●celebrate community improvement WHY BE A TREE CITY? 9 Tree City USA provides a framework for… 1.Management 2.Policy 3.Investment 4.Celebration How to become a TREE CITY 10 To qualify as a Tree City USA community, you must meet four standards established by the ●Arbor Day Foundation ●National Association of State Foresters 1.Tree board or department 2.Public tree care ordinance 3.Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry ○Tree planting, care, maintenance, etc. 4.Arbor Day Observance ○Signed Arbor Day proclamation 11 TREE CITY USA Program Standards APPLICATION 12 ●Applications recognize work done in the past year ●Create an account at: ○recognition.arborday.org ●Follow the prompts for each standard ○Fill-in boxes, upload documents ●Deadline to Submit: Dec 31 (each year) 13 Second Tues. in Sept. Application Opens Dec 31 Deadline to Submit Mar - Apr Application Review -State Coordinator (Kaulunani) -Arbor Day Foundation Apr 30 Final deadline to submit revisions May Award Announcement TIMELINE 14 TREE CITY IN HAWAI ʻI Counties are a great fit! ●County of Maui (1976) ●City & County of Honolulu (1980) ●County of Hawaiʻi (2005-2007, 2025!!!) & 6 Military communities on Oʻahu Map 2023 Arbor Day celebration at Fort Shafter. MAHALO, Charla! 15 Thank you to Charla Thompson, a dedicated community volunteer, for applying on behalf of Hawaiʻi County in 2025! With the support and encouragement of the Action Committee members, Long Term Planning Department members, Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program, The Outdoor Circle, County Council members and Mayor Alameda 1.Tree board or department ○Mayor’s Arborist Advisory Committee (AAC) 2.Public tree care ordinance ○Exceptional Tree Ordinance 3.Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry ○Dept. of Parks & Rec. budget 4.Arbor Day Observance ○OSCER plant giveaways ○Signed Arbor Day proclamation - Mayor Alameda in 2025, can also be county council 16 TREE CITY USA Program Standards 17 OPPORTUNITIES ●Designated role for applying annually. Who will compile and submit the application? ●Updating Ordinances (Exceptional Tree, AAC role) ●Support from Mayor & County Council ●New Ordinances (use Maui County example & ADF tool) ●County Arborist position ●Tree City Growth Award 18 RESOURCES Arbor Day Foundation Tree City Website ADF Tree Care Ordinance Assistant Kauluanani Tree City Website 2023 Arbor Day celebration at Fort Shafter. MAHALO! CONTACT LEʻA KA ʻAHA ʻAINA Education & Outreach Coordinator, Kaulunani lea.a.kaahaaina.researcher@hawaii.gov w. www.kaulunani.org e. info@kaulunani.org ig. @kaulunani 20 Questions?