HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-28 PL-USE-2026-046 & PL-SPP-2026-136 Representative Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Support TestimonyFrom:keohokapuleeloy2 - Kevin
To:Planning WPC Testimony
Cc:Soana Tupua-Fanoga
Subject:Representative Keohokapu-Lee Loy Letter of Support for Keaau Benioff Health Center
Date:Friday, August 28, 2026 6:37:37 PM
Attachments:LOS Keaau Benioff HC2.pdf.pdf
Aloha Windward Planning Commission,
I hope this email finds you well!
On behalf of The Office of Representative Keohokapu-Lee Loy, please see attached
Representative’s letter of support for Keaau Benioff Health Center.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need anything else.
Mahalo nui,
Kevin Chong
Office of Rep. Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee Loy
House District 2 - Hilo
State Capitol, Room 332
808-586-6120
Keohokapuleeloy2@capitol.hawaii.gov
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Hale o nā Luna Maka‘āinana
STATE OF HAWAI‘I
STATE CAPITOL
415 SOUTH BERETANIA STREET
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I 96813
August 27, 2026
Mr. Louis Daniele III, Chair and
Members of the Windward Planning Commission
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chair Daniele and Members of the Windward Planning Commission:
Testimony in Support of Use Permit Application No. PL-USE-2026-000046 and
Special Permit Application No. PL-SPP-2026-000136 relating to the development of the
the proposed Keaʻau Benioff Health Center
Applicant: Hilo Benioff Medical Center
TMKs 1-6-0003:007 (por) and 127 (por); Keaʻau, Puna, Hawaiʻi
Through this letter, I am requesting that the Windward Planning Commission to approve
the requested Use and Special Permits that would bring the proposed Keaʻau Benioff Health
Center to Keaʻau Village
The proposed health center is a much-needed facility that will expand access to local
healthcare not only for the residents of Keaʻau, but also for surrounding communities that could
extend as far south as Kāʻu and as far north as North Hilo.
The Keaʻau Benioff Health Center will bring enhanced urgent care, primary and specialty
care, imaging and behavioral health services to the center of a region that is continuing to grow,
in some cases recognized as the fastest growing region on the entire Hawaiʻi Island. These
services will also provide greater opportunities for early prevention in the hopes of reducing
chronic health issues.
For these reasons, I humbly ask the Windward Planning Commission to approve the Use
and Special Permit applications for the proposed Keaʻau Benioff Health Center.
Sincerely,
Representative Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy
House District 2 - Hilo