HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-31 Senator Joy A. San Buenaventura Support Testimony
From: John Honda
To: Planning WPC Testimony
Cc: Sen. Joy A. San Buenaventura; Kamana Levy; azarcone@hawaii.edu
Subject: Written Testimony - Windward Planning Commission - Sen. San Buenaventura
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 11:53:14 AM
Attachments: LETTER OF SUPPORT - KEAAU BENIOFF CENTER.pdf
Aloha,
Please see attachment for written 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
proposed Keaʻau Benioff Health Center.
John Honda
(808) 586-6890
Office of Senator Joy San Buenaventura
Senator Joy A. San Buenaventura
Senate District 2 – Puna
415 South Beretania St., Room 213
Honolulu, Hawaii • 96813
Phone: (808) 586-6890 • Email: sensanbuenaventura@capitol.hawaii.gov
The Senate
Ka ‘Aha Kenekoa
S T A T E C A P I T O L
H O N O L U L U , H A W A I ‘I 9 6 8 1 3
08/31/2026
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
I would offer this testimony to encourage the Windward Planning Commission to approve the
requested Use and Special Permits that would allow for the establishment of the Keaʻau Benioff
Health Center, a much-needed health facility that will expand access to local healthcare for
residents throughout East Hawaiʻi.
The applications currently before you are the result of a years-long and on-going collaborative
effort with W.H. Shipman, Ltd., the Benioff Foundation, our partners throughout the State and
County governments and with the wonderful support of our residents, businesses and service
community within Keaʻau Village.
As Planning Commissioners, you have been intimately involved in the development and/or
administration of planning documents like the recently adopted General Plan 2045, the Puna
Community Development Plan and the Keaʻau Village Master Plan, all of which recognize the
importance of improved access to facilities that support the health and well-being of our
communities. The applications before you provide a wonderful opportunity to bring these long-
planned goals into reality.
August 31, 2026
Page 2 of 2
For these reasons, I strongly encourage the Windward Planning Commission to approve the Use
and Special Permit applications to allow the proposed Keaʻau Benioff Health Center to serve our
East Hawaiʻi communities.
Sincerely,
Joy A. San Buenaventura
Hawaii State Senate
415 S. Beretania Street, room 213
Honolulu, HI 96813