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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-18 Leeward Planning Commission Written Summary Minutes Page 1 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission June 18, 2026 Written Summary Minutes LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I WRITTEN SUMMARY MINUTES JUNE 18, 2026 A video recording is made part of these minutes, which can be viewed on the YouTube County of Hawai‘i Planning Department channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndv_Do7AG_8. Timestamps are provided for reference in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 92, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes. In the event the video recording becomes unavailable at the above-mentioned URL address, the public can contact the Planning Department for assistance. The Leeward Planning Commission met in regular session on June 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Council Chambers, Building A, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, with Chair Dean Au presiding. This meeting was streamed live on YouTube. Secretary’s Note: Due to technical difficulties, YouTube timestamps are not available from the start of the meeting up to STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Dean Au (Chairperson), Donna “Kinuko” Noborikawa (Vice Chair), Rebecca “Kawehi” Inaba, Alexandria “Lexie” Ayers, and Shawn “Kele” Makaiau. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Armando Rodriguez. ALSO PRESENT: Diana Mellon-Lacey, Esq. (Counsel to the Commission), Jeffrey Darrow (Planning Director, Jean Campbell, Esq. (Counsel to the Planning Department), and Planning Department staff. At 9:30 a.m., Chairman Au called the meeting to order with a quorum present. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS At 9:33 a.m., the Commission addressed this item, with approximately 18 members of the public present. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 00:16] Statements from the public concluded at 9:55 a.m. Page 2 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission June 18, 2026 Written Summary Minutes APPROVAL OF MINUTES [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 21:40] At 9:55 a.m., the Commission addressed the minutes of April 23, 2026, excluding the executive session minutes. Vice Chair Noborikawa moved to approve the minutes, and Commissioner Inaba seconded the motion. Vice Chair Noborikawa stated there were 9 changes to Corporation Counsel’s name, a few misspellings. Commissioner Makaiau stated item No. 1, the last paragraph, and last sentence talks offering an elderly care facility to the upper portion of the property. That statement should say, “the new project would offer a single-family dwelling with ADU’s, because the elderly care facility was removed. Vice Chair Noborikawa withdrew her original motion and made a motion to amend the April 23, 2026, meeting minutes with the 9 name corrections for Corporation Counsel, misspelled words, and the last sentence in the last paragraph of Item No. 1 corrected, and to brought back to the next Leeward Planning Commission meeting for review and approval. Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 26:47] A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes (Inaba, Ayers, Makaiau Noborikawa, Au), no noes, and one absent and excused (Rodriguez) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 27:24] At 10:00 a.m., Chair Au noted a change to the order of the agenda. Applicants for Item No. 4 on the agenda requested to be moved as the first case to be heard after old business commences due to business matters. The agenda will start with Item No. 1, then Item No. 4 followed by Item No. 2. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 28:01] OLD BUSINESS 1. APPLICANT: JOHN C. CROSS for EDMUND C. OLSON TRUST NO. 2 (PL-SMA-2025-000082) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 28:33] Application for a Special Management Area Use Permit to demolish and renovate the Kona Seaside Shops, including the demolition of three (3) structures, addition and renovation to two (2) existing structures, construction of two (2) new kiosks, new outdoor seating and renovating an ADA compliant courtyard and parking area on a 33,411-square foot parcel situated in the Special Management Area. The subject parcel is located at 75-5663 Palani Road, approximately 100 feet northeast of its intersection with Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, North Kona, Hawai‘i, TMK: (3) 7-5-006:017. Action: Vice Chair Noborikawa moved that the application for PL-SMA-2025-000082 to demolish and renovate the Kona Seaside Shops be approved based on the Planning Director’s findings, recommendation, and revised conditions, which shall be adopted. Commissioner Makaiau seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 40:10] Page 3 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission June 18, 2026 Written Summary Minutes A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously with five ayes (Noborikawa, Makaiau, Ayers, Inaba, and Au) no noes and one excused absence (Rodriguez). [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 42:55] NEW BUSINESS 4. APPLICANT: WHC, LTD. (PL-SPP-2025-000107/AMEND SPP NO. 724) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 43:50] Application to amend Special Permit No. 724, originally approved to allow a quarry and related uses on approximately 143.48 acres within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The applicant proposes to expand the existing quarry area from approximately 143.48 acres to 223.829 acres by adding approximately 80.349 acres from TMK (3) 6-7-001:025 (portion), and to amend Condition No. 5 (Life of the Permit) to extend the permit term, coterminous with the proposed lease extension, through September 30, 2057, with potential option(s) to extend the lease agreement for an additional twenty (20) years. The subject property is located approximately 3.7 miles northeast of the Māmalahoa Highway/Waikiʻi Road intersection, Waikoloa, South Kohala, Hawaiʻi, TMK (3) 6-7-001:034 and 6-7-001: 025 por. At 10:18 a.m., Chair Au declared a recess for the staff presentation to be set up. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 45:29], and the meeting was reconvened at 10:24 a.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 51:42] Action: Commissioner Makaiau moved that the application for Special Permit (PL-SPP- 2025-000107/Amend SPP No. 724 be approved with the Planning Director’s recommended revisions to the conditions of approval and forwarded to the State Land Use Commission for final determination. Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:02:54] A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously with five ayes (Makaiau, Ayers, Inaba, Noborikawa, Au) no noes and one excused and absent (Rodriguez). [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:04:17] 2. APPLICANT: PARKER SCHOOL (PL-USE-2026-000043/AMEND USE 05-000001) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:05:13] Application to amend Use Permit No. 05-001, to add a preschool and to expand the Parker School complex by 42,009 square feet by including TMKs 6-5-004:081 and 085 for a total permit area of 15.28 acres within the Agricultural-1 acre (A-1a) and Single Family Residential-7,500 square feet (RS-7.5) zoning districts. The subject properties are located between Kapiʻolani Road and Waikoloa Stream, Waimea, South Kohala, Hawaiʻi, TMK: (3) 6-5-004:025, 026, 028, 063, 081 and 085. A staff presentation, applicant presentation and public testimony was provided to the Commission. Page 4 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission June 18, 2026 Written Summary Minutes Action: Vice Chair Noborikawa moved that the applicant’s request to amend the Use Permit No. 05-000001 to allow a preschool and the addition of two TMKs be approved, in accordance with the Planning Director’s recommendation and conditions of approval, which shall be adopted. Commissioner Inaba seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:15:15] A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously with five ayes (Noborikawa, Inaba, Ayers, Makaiau, and Au) no noes and one excused and absent (Rodriguez). [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:44:32] 3. APPLICANT: AB MAUI QUARRIES, LLC. (PL-SPP-2026-000121) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:45:38] Application for a Special Permit to construct and operate a concrete and asphalt batch plant and maintenance shop, office building, and warehouse for mechanical repair and storage and related accessory uses on a 14.9-acre portion of a 934.7-acre property within the State Land Use Agriculture District. The subject property is located on the south side of Waikoloa Road, approximately 3.2 miles east of its intersection with Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, Waikoloa, South Kohala, Hawaiʻi, TMK: (3) 6-8- 001:067 por. Action: Vice Chair Noborikawa moved that the application for a Special Permit (PL-SPP- 2026-000121) to construct and operate a concrete and asphalt batch plant and maintenance shop, office building, and warehouse for mechanical repair and storage and related accessory uses on a 14.9-acre portion of a larger 934.7 acre property within the State Land Use Agriculture District be approved, based on the Planning Director’s recommendation and conditions of approval, which shall be adopted, and with the proposed modification of Condition No. 3 of the Director’s Report to remove the word, “landscaping requirement.” Commissioner Makaiau seconded the motion [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:05:57] A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously with five ayes (Noborikawa, Makaiau, Ayers, Inaba, and Au) no noes and one excused and absent (Rodriguez). [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:09:49] 5. APPLICANTS: JAQUELINE VISSER, HANALE VISSER, AND GILBERT VISSER (PL-REZ-2026-000099) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:10:40] Application for a Change of Zone from Agricultural 40-acres (A-40a) to Family Agricultural-1 acre (FA-1a) zoning district for 2.397 acres of land. The subject property is located at 64-5091 White Road, approximately 0.4 miles south of its intersection with Mamalahoa Highway, Puʻukapu, South Kohala, Hawaiʻi, TMK: (3) 6- 4-018:030. Page 5 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission June 18, 2026 Written Summary Minutes Action: Commissioner Makaiau moved that a favorable recommendation on PL-REZ- 2026-000099 be forwarded to the County Council based on the Planning Director’s recommendation and subject to his conditions of approval, to amend conditions “B” and “D”, and to delete condition “E”. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ayers. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:32:07] A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously with five ayes (Makaiau, Ayers, Inaba, Noborikawa, and Au), no noes and one excused and absent (Rodriguez). [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:34:44] At 12:08 p. m. Chair Au declared a recess [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:35:58], and the meeting was reconvened at 12:23 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:49:20] 6. APPLICANT: WAIKOLOA GREEN LLC (PL-SLU-2026-000016) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:49:34] Application for a State Land Use District Boundary Amendment from an Agricultural to an Urban District for a 14.868-acre portion of a 716.63-acre parcel of land. The subject property is located at the southeast side of Pua Melia Street, approximately 810 feet south of its intersection with Waikōloa Road, Waikōloa, South Kohala, Hawaiʻi, TMK: (3) 6-8-002:016 (por.). Action: Vice Chair Noborikawa moved that a favorable recommendation on PL-SLU- 2026-000016 be forwarded to the County Council on the applicant’s request for a State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to an Urban district for a 14.868-acre portion of a 716.63-acre parcel of land, based on the Planning Director’s recommendation and subject to his conditions of approval. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ayers [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:22:15] A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously with five ayes (Noborikawa, Ayers, Inaba, Makaiau, and Au) no noes and one excused and absent (Rodriguez). [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:24:40] 7. APPLICANT: WAIKOLOA GREEN LLC (PL-REZ-2026-000096) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 2:49:34] Application for a Change of Zone from a Residential and Agricultural-1 acre (RA-1a) and Open zoning district to a Multiple-Family Residential-1,500 square feet (RM-1.5), Family Agricultural-1 acre (FA-1a), Agricultural-10 acres (A-10a) and Open zoning districts for a 709.145-acre portion of a 716.63-acre parcel of land. The subject property is located at the southeast side of Pua Melia Street, approximately 810 feet south of its intersection with Waikōloa Road, Waikōloa, South Kohala, Hawaiʻi, TMK: (3) 6-8-002:016 (por.). Page 6 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission June 18, 2026 Written Summary Minutes A staff presentation, applicant presentation and public testimony was provided to the Commission. Action: Vice Chair Noborikawa moved that a favorable recommendation on PL-REZ- 2026-000096 be forwarded to the County Council on the applicant’s request for a Change of Zone from Residential Agricultural 1-acre (RA-1A) and Open (O) zoning districts to Multiple Family Residential 1,500 square feet (RM-1.5), Family Agricultural-1 Acre (FA- 1A), Agricultural 10-Acre (A-10a) and Open (O) zoning district for approximately 709.145 acres, based on the Planning Director’s recommendation, and amendments to remove the Annual Progress Report information from condition “X” and make that as condition “Y”. With condition “Y’, add the statement, “The APR updates shall contain updates for wildfire evacuation for Waikoloa Village” after the sentence, “….water commitment payment letter and certificate of occupancy from the Building Division”, and subject to conditions of approval. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Inaba. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:25:26] A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously with five ayes (Noborikawa, Inaba, Ayers, Makaiau, and Au) no noes and one excused and absent (Rodriguez). [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:33:10] PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:34:12] Report on Special Management Area (SMA) determinations and minor permits issued by the Planning Director for April 2026. Chair Au asked staff about the $87 million Ho’omalu proposed project at Waikoloa Resort. Planner Alex Roy confirmed that the project is covered under the SMA major and will not be heard by the Commission. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:35:29] Chair Au requested Commissioner’s suggested agenda items, there were no comments or matters for consideration from the Commissioners. ANNOUNCEMENTS [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:36:25:] The Leeward Planning Commission’s next special meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the County Council Chambers in Kona and the public can also testify via Zoom. The date and venue of the meeting are subject to change. Page 7 of 7 Leeward Planning Commission June 18, 2026 Written Summary Minutes ADJOURNMENT [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:36:33] Vice Chair Noborikawa moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Inaba seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken, and all members were in favor. Chair Au adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kareen Medeiros Secretary ATTEST: Dean Au, Chairperson Leeward Planning Commission Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador for (Jul 17, 2026 14:24:59 HST) Meli sa Dcay n-S vdvo d-rf(rf( Ju1 7