HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-26 Kaʻū CDP Minutes Draft
KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3
DRAFT MINUTES 4
May 26, 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 5:05 p.m. This meeting was held in person at the 8
Nāʻālehu Community Center 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=SQ-LITlcJ2g 11
Roll Call 12
Members Present (in person): 13
• Jason Masters, Chair 14
• Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi, Vice Chair 15
• David Kuahiwinui 16
• Taylor Spurgeon 17
• Gary Davis 18
• Catherine Williams 19
• Kaweni Ibarra 20
Members Present (via Zoom): Babette Morrow 21
Planning Department Staff Present: 22
• Maryam Palma (in person) 23
• Kawelo Kalili (in person) 24
• Jessica Lahip (Zoom) 25
Other County Representatives Present (in person): 26
• Michelle Galimba, Council Member 27
• Neil Azevedo, Department of Public Works Deputy Director 28
• Talmadge Magno, Department of Civil Defense Administrator 29
• Lori Enomoto, Office of Aging Acting Administrative Services Assistant 30
Other County Representatives Present (via Zoom): 31
• Kaʻuionalani Fukuda, Office of Aging County Executive 32
There were approximately 15 members of the public in attendance (5 in person and 10 33
via Zoom). 34
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 26, 2026 2
Approval of Minutes 35
Committee Member Williams moved to approve the draft minutes of the March 24, 2026, 36 meeting. Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi seconded the motion. The motion was passed 37
unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:48] 38
Public Testimony on Agenda Items 39
Chair Masters called for public testimony on agenda items. No public testimony was 40 provided at this time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 3:35] 41
Business 42
Action Items 43
1. Ingress and Egress at Green Sands and Mark Twain Subdivisions Regarding Kaʻū 44 CDP Policy 118, Section 5.7.2. – Update and discussion by Committee Members 45 Morrow and Willams. The AC may take action, including consideration of drafting a letter 46
to property owners. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:34] 47
Committee Member Williams provided background on the item and summarized 48
information regarding emergency access between the Green Sands and Mark Twain 49
subdivisions. The Committee discussed prior map review, potential access routes, and 50
the need for emergency ingress/egress in the event of wildfire or other emergency 51
conditions. 52
Committee Member Williams reported that the issue had originally been raised by 53 Volunteer Fire Captain, Ron Ebert, who previously identified fire-safety concerns 54 including narrow roads, limited egress to Highway 11, and water-access challenges for 55 firefighters. Captain Ebert has since moved away and is no longer available to assist 56
with the effort. 57
Committee Members Morrow and Williams reached out to the Ocean View Fire Captain, 58
who explained that the Nā‘ālehu station is ambulance-only and that the Pāhala Fire 59
Station oversees the Nā‘ālehu area. The Ocean View Fire Captain referred them to 60
Pāhala Fire Captain Daniel Dierking, who has knowledge of the issue and indicated a 61
willingness to assist with drafting a letter to affected property owners. 62
The Committee discussed that the goal is to pursue an access easement for emergency 63
access by the Fire Department only, not to open the route for public use. Committee 64
Members Kuahiwinui and Davis encouraged the AC to speak with the affected 65
neighborhoods before making a proposal. 66
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 26, 2026 3
Bill Savage, Mark Twain subdivision resident, provided testimony stating that access 67 through private property already exists and had been opened during a previous fire event. 68 He explained that the gate had historically been closed due to liability concerns and said 69
that, if the intent is to formalize emergency-only access, affected property owners and 70
residents should be consulted. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 12:33] 71
The AC discussed options for notifying the subdivisions, including posting notices on 72
community bulletin boards, posting the next meeting agenda, and inviting residents from 73
both Green Sands and Mark Twain to attend the next meeting. Members agreed that 74
the next step should be to notify the affected communities, draft a letter in coordination 75
with the Fire Department, and invite Pāhala Fire Captain Dierking to participate in the 76
next discussion. 77
Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi moved to authorize Committee Members Morrow and Williams to 78
draft a letter with and from the Fire Department to property owners in both Mark Twain 79
and Green Sands, and to invite the affected communities and the Pāhala Fire Captain 80
to the next meeting for the AC to review the letter. Jason seconded the motion. The 81
motion passed unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 23:59] 82
Non-Action Items 83
Chair Masters moved Business Items 3 and 4 to Business Item 2 and 3, respectively. 84
2. Flood Impacts Update – Report from Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno 85
regarding the recent storm event, precipitation levels, and contributing factors to the 86
damaging flooding in Kaʻū. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 28:25] 87
Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno reported on recent rain and flooding events 88 affecting Kaʻū, using information from the National Weather Service. He highlighted 89 three major events: the March 2026 Kona low event, the February 2023 storm event, 90 and the November 2000 remnant tropical system that severely damaged bridges and 91
infrastructure. 92
Director Magno explained that the geography of Hawaiʻi Island, including Mauna Loa’s 93 elevation and south-wind moisture patterns, can cause heavy rainfall to remain over 94 Kaʻū and produce extreme localized flooding. He stated that recent storms produced 95 rainfall in the range of approximately 25 to 30 inches in some areas, while the 2000 96
event produced nearly 40 inches in places and caused significant infrastructure 97
damage. 98
Director Magno emphasized personal and community preparedness, including 99 understanding local vulnerabilities, recognizing where flooding occurs, and signing up 100 for Civil Defense alerts through Everbridge (https://hawaii-county-civil-defense-agency-101
hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/alerts). He also noted that, following the 102
presidential disaster declaration, a Community Assistance Center opened at the 103 Nā‘ālehu Library and was expected to operate through June 12, 2026, with agencies 104 such as FEMA, the Small Business Administration, Vibrant Hawaiʻi, NRCS, and other 105 partners available to assist residents and farmers with claims and recovery resources. 106
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 26, 2026 4
107
3. Department of Public Works Update – Report by Department of Public Works 108
Deputy Director Neil Azevedo regarding South Point Road street signage and storm 109
impacts in Kaʻū. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 51:56] 110
Department of Public Works Director Neil Azevedo reported on the Kona Low storm-111
response and recovery work, including removal of debris from flood channels, drone 112
review of flooded areas, repair and maintenance of drainage facilities, and continued 113 work to understand why water moved through particular locations during the event. He 114 stated that approximately 2,600 cubic yards of material remained in one area and that 115 crews had been hauling significant amounts of material daily. 116
Director Azavedo discussed impacts to drainage infrastructure, culverts, and bridges, 117
including a trailer or debris blocking drainage during the storm. He stated that Public 118 Works crews would continue cleaning and maintaining drainage channels, removing 119 debris, and preparing contracts for additional work. He also stated that the department 120 would follow up regarding road/street signs. 121
4. Punaluʻu Survey – Report by Councilmember Michelle Galimba regarding Punaluʻu 122 Survey results: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov/data-information/punalu-u-123 community-survey [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:00:04] 124
Councilmember Michelle Galimba reported on the Punaluʻu survey results and stated 125 that the full results and comments were available online through a website and QR 126
code. The survey was described as a way to begin a community conversation and allow 127 anonymous input rather than a final decision-making document. 128
She referenced the Kaʻū Community Development Plan and prior community-based 129 planning work, noting that Punaluʻu has long been recognized as a complicated and 130 important place with many stakeholders, including private landowners, the State of 131
Hawaiʻi, the County of Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, and individual 132 parcel owners. Councilmember Galimba stated that Punaluʻu has often been addressed 133 only in response to development proposals and suggested that a proactive community 134 plan is needed. 135
The committee discussed the possibility of placing a Punaluʻu planning item on a future 136
agenda, potentially beginning with process questions, stakeholder identification, and the 137 role the Action Committee might play. It was noted that the Planning Department was 138 expected to have funding in the upcoming budget for facilitation and related planning 139 support. 140
Committee members and community participants expressed interest in keeping 141
Punaluʻu open and accessible, protecting natural and cultural resources, and creating 142
opportunities for local economic development and community-based businesses. 143
A member of the public asked that landowners and other stakeholders be involved 144
before any plan is developed, noting the importance of including those parties in early 145
discussions. 146
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 26, 2026 5
5. Office of Aging Kūpuna Survey – Report by the Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging 147 regarding its four-year Area Plan and community input efforts to help guide future 148 programs and services for Hawaiʻi Island kūpuna. 149
• Kūpuna/Caregiver survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YK2XGVG 150
• Provider survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CMD9C2V [SEE 151
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:14:14] 152
Office of Aging County Executive Kaʻuionalani Fukuda reported that the Office of Aging 153
is updating its four-year area plan and is collecting community input through two 154
surveys: a kupuna/caregiver survey and a provider survey. She explained that the state 155 develops and approves the surveys, while each county is responsible for distribution 156 and collecting input from its districts. 157
Ms. Fukuda stated that the surveys will help tailor programs and services for kupuna 158
and support funding requests. Hard-copy surveys were available, and the Office of 159
Aging is planning focus groups in each district. Staff can also assist kupuna with 160 completing surveys at focus groups, senior centers, congregate sites, or by phone 161 through the Office of Aging. The Office of Aging has reached out to Vibrant Hawaiʻi and 162 expects to coordinate with its community network and hubs as the process continues. 163
Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 164
Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 869 (2025), signed into law as Act 53, testimony on 165 matters not on the agenda may be limited to three minutes per speaker. No testimony 166 was provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:19:45] 167
No public testimony was provided at this time. 168
Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 169
Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 170 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 171 in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 172 such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 173
1:20:19] 174
Councilmember Galimba shared information regarding the Council District 6 newsletter 175 and that interested community members may email to be added to the distribution list. 176 The newsletter is expected to include resources, events, and meetings, including 177 information relevant to Kaʻū. Committee members also encouraged residents to sign up 178
for Everbridge Civil Defense alerts by phone, text, and/or email. [SEE YOUTUBE 179
TIMESTAMP: 01:20:49 180
Proposed New Business [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:23:32] 181
• Green Sands and Mark Twain emergency ingress and egress, including draft letter, 182
Fire Department participation, and community notification. 183
• Punaluʻu planning and community plan discussion, including discussion 184
regarding the Action Committee’s role. 185
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of May 26, 2026 6
• Bill 147 regarding transient accommodations and short-term vacation rentals, 186
definitions, and potential impacts, subject to timing and agenda capacity. 187
Announcements [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:31:59] 188
• The letter to Olson Trust was finalized with corrections and sent to Mr. John 189
Cross on April 2, 2026. 190
• Kaʻū Transfer Stations Updates effective June 1, 2026: 191
o Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station will transition to a Monday, Wednesday, 192
Thursday, and Saturday schedule from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 193
has been added as a new day of service. 194
o Ocean View Transfer Station will transition to a Sunday, Tuesday and 195
Friday schedule from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday service will be 196
discontinued. Scrap metal and appliance collection will be available on 197
Sundays. 198
• Vice Chair Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi provided an update on possible DMV kiosk 199 locations in Kaʻū. She said the DMV kiosk company is currently merging with two 200
other companies, so it is not yet clear who will make the final decision on kiosk 201 locations. The company is using a demographic survey to help decide where 202 kiosks should be placed around the island. Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi said she 203 discussed Kaʻū’s logistics with the company representative, and the company has 204 not said no. There is still a possibility that the project may move forward. 205
Adjournment 206
Chair Masters adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. 207
These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s 208 Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi 209 Public Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the 210
Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 211