HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-16 Kirstin Kahaloa Testimony
Item #2 Kona Kai LLC (PL-SPP-2025-000109)
2026-07-16 Kirstin Kahaloa TestimonyInfo Given at LPC 7-16-26 Meeting
From: Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Cc: Clare Ann Ronquillo
Subject: Testimony for APPLICANT: KONA KAI, LLC (PL-SPP-2025-000109)
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026 12:44:02 AM
Attachments:image001.png Letter_Leeward Planning Commission_Agenda Item 2_7.16.2026.pdf
Aloha,
Please see attached written testimony for your July 16 Agenda of the Leeward Planning
Commission, Agenda Item 2: APPLICANT: KONA KAI, LLC (PL-SPP-2025-000109).
Please confirm receipt of this testimony.
Mahalo,
Kirstin
Representative Kirstin Kahaloa
Majority Caucus Leader | House District 6 Hōnaunau, Nāpoʻopoʻo, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Hōlualoa, Kailua-Kona
Hawaiʻi House of Representatives
p: (808) 586-8530
e: repkahaloa@capitol.hawaii.gov
a: 415 S. Beretania St. Room #438 Honolulu, HI 96813
Stay updated at www.hawaiihousedemocrats.com
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Hale o nā Luna Maka‘āinana
Representative Kirstin Kahaloa
District 6: Kailua-Kona, Hōlualoa, Keauhou, Kealakekua, Captain Cook, Nāpoʻopoʻo, Hōnaunau
415 S. Beretania Street, Room 438, Honolulu, HI 96813
Testimony of Representative Kirstin Kahaloa
Before the Leeward Planning Commission, County of Hawaiʻi
July 16, 2026 – Agenda Item #2, Kona Kai, LLC
RE: Special Permit Application PL-SPP-2025-000109 – Kona Kai, LLC
Aloha Chair Au and Members of the Commission,
Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the Special Permit application
submitted by Kona Kai, LLC.
As the State Representative for House District 6 and former Chair of the House Committee on
Agriculture and Food Systems, I have worked to strengthen Hawaiʻi's agricultural economy, protect
our agricultural lands, and preserve the rich farming heritage of the Kona Coffee Belt. Throughout
my time in the Legislature, I have championed responsible agricultural tourism because it helps
farmers diversify their income while preserving working agricultural lands and educating residents
and visitors about Hawaiʻi agriculture.
Over the past several years, I have introduced and supported legislation to modernize Hawaiʻi's
agricultural land use laws, including proposals to expand legitimate agricultural tourism
opportunities under HRS Chapter 205. Those efforts have also shown how difficult it has become
to responsibly update these laws. Too often, proposals blur the distinction between bona fide
agricultural operations and commercial visitor-oriented development. As a result, policymakers
have become increasingly cautious about expanding agricultural tourism opportunities. While
many farmers need additional revenue streams to remain in agriculture, proposals that stretch
beyond what many perceive to be agricultural use make it more difficult to build consensus
around reforms that would benefit responsible farmers across Hawaiʻi. I worry that applications
such as this may further complicate future efforts to modernize Hawaiʻi's agricultural tourism laws
in ways that would benefit our broader agricultural community.
This is especially important within the Kona Coffee Belt, one of Hawaiʻi's most treasured
agricultural landscapes. Generations of farming families have built its global reputation while
preserving the rural character that makes this region unique. Every land use decision within the
Coffee Belt should consider not only the project before the Commission, but also the precedent it
may establish for agricultural lands throughout Hawaiʻi.
Page 2
Representative Kirstin Kahaloa
District 6: Kailua-Kona, Hōlualoa, Keauhou, Kealakekua, Captain Cook, Nāpoʻopoʻo, Hōnaunau
415 S. Beretania Street, Room 438, Honolulu, HI 96813
When I previously submitted testimony regarding this applicant, I did so based on my
understanding of the proposal at that time. As legislators, we often rely on applicants to describe
the scope and intent of their proposals. After carefully reviewing the full application, I believe it is
appropriate to update my testimony based on the additional information now before the
Commission. I have also received outreach from constituents expressing deep concern regarding
both the scope of the proposal and its potential impacts on the surrounding community.
The current application seeks approval for a broader range of uses than I previously understood,
including overnight accommodations integrated with agricultural tourism, expanded culinary and
retail operations, use of an existing 9,452-square-foot residence for agricultural tourism
programming, and several deviations from the County's agricultural tourism standards. As
someone who strongly supports agricultural tourism, I believe every approval should reinforce, not
weaken, the public's confidence that agricultural lands remain principally devoted to agriculture.
I am also concerned about compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. Based on my review
of the application and the concerns shared by nearby residents, the project's primary access relies
on a private roadway through a neighboring gated subdivision rather than access designed
specifically for an operation of this nature. I encourage the Commission to carefully evaluate
whether the transportation impacts are appropriately balanced with the rights and expectations of
surrounding property owners. Over the long term, a more direct access solution that minimizes
impacts on neighboring residents would better reflect sound land use planning and community
compatibility.
Agriculture must continue to evolve if it is to remain economically sustainable. Responsible
agricultural tourism has an important place in Hawaiʻi's future. That future, however, depends
upon maintaining public trust that agricultural lands are first and foremost devoted to agriculture
while ensuring surrounding communities are respected throughout the planning process.
After carefully reviewing the current application and listening to the concerns raised by many
constituents, I am unable to support the application in its current form.
I respectfully encourage the Commission to carefully consider whether this application, as
proposed, reflects the primary purpose of agricultural land, respects surrounding communities,
and preserves public confidence in responsible agricultural tourism.
Mahalo for your thoughtful consideration of this testimony.
Mahalo,
Representative Kirstin Kahaloa
Majority Caucus Leader & Former Chair, House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems
Hawaiʻi House of Representatives, District 6