HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-28 Kaʻū CDP Minutes Draft
KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3
DRAFT MINUTES 4
July 28, 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 5:13 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=wm7xDObTRoI&t=275s 11
Roll Call 12
Members Present (in person): 13
• Jason Masters, Chair 14
• Kaʻohinani Mokuhaliʻi, Vice Chair 15
• David Kuahiwinui 16
• Gary Davis 17
• Catherine Williams 18
• Kaweni Ibarra 19
Members Excused: 20
• Taylor Spurgeon 21
Members Present (via Zoom): Babette Morrow 22
Planning Department Staff Present: 23
• Maryam Palma (in person) 24
• Kawelo Kalili (in person) 25
• Jessica Lahip (via Zoom) 26
Other County Representatives Present (in person): 27
• Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel 28
• Michelle Galimba, Council Member 29
There were approximately 20 members of the public in attendance (15 in person and 5 30 via Zoom). 31
Approval of Minutes 32
Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi moved to approve the draft minutes of the May 26, 2026, meeting. 33 Committee Member Ibarra seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. 34 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 5:35] 35
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 28, 2026 2
Public Testimony on Agenda Items 36
Chair Masters called for public testimony on agenda items. No public testimony was 37 provided at this time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 6:29] 38
Announcements [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 8:01] 39
• Public Meeting Decorum Guidance by Jean Campbell, Office of the Corporation 40 Counsel regarding Communication 2026-13, CC Memo 2026-3: General 41 Guidance Regarding Unruly or Disruptive Conduct During Public Meetings. 42
• The Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works has installed new traffic signage 43 along South Point Road to improve roadway safety, including a stop sign at the 44 three-way intersection of South Point Road and Ka Lae Road, as well as two yield 45 signs for vehicles approaching the one lane section of South Point Road. See 46
Communication 2026-16 for photos of the newly installed signage. 47
• Bill 147 Update by Chair Masters relating to transient accommodations and short-48 term vacation rentals, including proposed definitions and potential impacts. 49
Business 50
Non-Action Items 51
1. Ingress and Egress at Green Sands and Mark Twain Subdivisions Regarding 52
Kaʻū CDP Policy 118, Section 5.7.2. – Report by Committee Members Morrow and 53
Williams regarding status of letter from Hawaii Fire Department to Green Sands and 54
Mark Twain subdivisions property owners requesting permission for an emergency 55
access easement. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 24:22] 56
Committee Members Williams and Morrow provided an update regarding the proposed 57
emergency access connecting the Green Sands and Mark Twain subdivisions. 58
Committee Member Williams reported that Committee Member Morrow had drafted a 59
letter to the affected property owners regarding the proposed emergency access. The 60
members are working to finalize the letter, including making it more personal to the 61
affected property owners, before forwarding it to Fire Chief Volpe at the request of 62
Captain Derkin. 63
Committee Member Morrow explained that they are coordinating with the appropriate 64 emergency response agencies to determine the process for contacting property owners 65 who may be asked to provide an easement to the County for the proposed access. It 66
was noted that the Hawaiʻi Police Department (HPD) would oversee the emergency 67
response, with the Hawaiʻi Fire Department (HFD) involved in the process. The 68 Committee discussed the importance of following the appropriate chain of command 69 and contacting the affected property owners before conducting broader community 70 outreach. 71
It was noted that the information provided in the previous meeting packet would be 72
incorporated into the letter. The Action Committee would not need to formally approve 73
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 28, 2026 3
the letter, as the draft would be provided to HFD for review and transmission to the 74 affected property owners. 75
The Committee discussed the need to inform both affected communities as the process 76
moves forward and agreed that contacting the appropriate property owners to seek 77
consent for an easement should be the first step toward establishing a second 78 emergency access route. 79
2. Information on County of Hawaiʻi Acquisition of Punaluʻu Beach Park through 80 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission 81 (PONC) – Informational presentation by Chair Masters regarding County acquisition 82 through PONC of 6.622 acres in Punaluʻu. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 35:58] 83
Chair Masters reported that the proposed acquisition of approximately 6.622 acres at 84 Punaluʻu Beach Park has been under consideration since 2007 and is currently being 85 negotiated between the property owner and the Mayor’s Office. Because negotiations are 86
ongoing, there are no new developments to report at this time, and Planning staff and the 87 Action Committee will continue to monitor the process and provide updates as information 88 becomes available. 89
Jamie Kawauchi provided testimony regarding stewardship of Punaluʻu [SEE YOUTUBE 90 TIMESTAMP 39;01] 91
Kailani Mehela provided testimony regarding the importance of protecting Punaluʻu [SEE 92
YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 41:58] 93
Amber L. provided testimony regarding clarity of the location and structures the County 94 would own through the PONC acquisition [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 46:08] 95
Guy Enriques provided testimony regarding the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee’s advocacy 96
for Punaluʻu [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 51:30] 97
Action Items 98
3. Kaʻū CDP Section 7.1 Develop and Implement Plans for Punaluʻu – Discussion 99 and deliberation regarding the creation of a Permitted Interaction Group (P.I.G.) to 100 conduct outreach to Punaluʻu landowners, gather their perspectives on 101
Councilmember Michelle Galimba's Punaluʻu Survey results, and report those findings 102
back to the Action Committee. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:03:07] 103
Chair Masters moved for the Action Committee to create a Permitted Interaction Group 104 (P.I.G.), consisting of 3 to 4 members to conduct outreach to the Punaluʻu landowners 105 regarding Councilmember Michelle Galimba’s Punaluʻu survey results and report back to 106
the committee with their findings. Committee Member Williams seconded the motion. 107 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:05:11] 108
The Committee discussed concerns that the Punaluʻu Survey did not fully capture 109 community input and the importance of conducting direct outreach to landowners and the 110 broader community. 111
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 28, 2026 4
Chair Masters emphasized that longstanding uncertainty and repeated proposals for 112 development at Punaluʻu have made it important for the community to articulate what it 113 wants for the area’s future. Outreach by the Action Committee would provide an 114
opportunity to hear directly from landowners and community members and develop a 115
broader vision for Punaluʻu that considers recreational, cultural, educational, and other 116 community priorities. 117
The Committee discussed designating two Action Committee members rather than 118 forming a P.I.G., noting that a two-member committee would have greater flexibility to 119
conduct ongoing outreach and report back to the full Committee multiple times. Members 120
discussed contacting Punaluʻu landowners, sharing the survey results, and gathering 121 additional community input, with the same two members serving throughout the outreach 122 process. 123
Chair Masters withdrew his motion to create a P.I.G. He moved to designate two members 124
of the Committee initiate outreach to Punaluʻu landowners regarding Councilmember 125 Galimba’s Punaluʻu survey results and report back to the Action Committee. Committee 126 Member Ibarra seconded the motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:14:10] 127
Guy Enriques provided testimony regarding concern for the Committee’s outreach to 128 Punaluʻu landowners rather than the broader community [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 129
1:17:26] 130
Councilmember Galimba clarified that her Punaluʻu Survey included in-person outreach 131 at community events and was intended as a starting point for broader community 132 discussion rather than a definitive representation of community opinion. She emphasized 133
the need to engage landowners to better understand ownership, interests, and potential 134
plans for the area, noting that additional information is needed to help guide future 135 community conversations. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:20:13] 136
Ellen LaPenna provided testimony regarding the importance of protection of the Hawaiian 137 hawksbill turtles at Punaluʻu [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:24:10] 138
Chair Masters acknowledged the concerns regarding protection of native species and 139
emphasized the importance of incorporating measures to protect Hawaiian hawksbill 140 turtles and other native species into any future proposals for Punaluʻu. He also discussed 141 the deteriorating condition of existing facilities and the community’s opportunity to 142 consider what uses and improvements it would like to see at Punaluʻu while balancing 143 environmental protection, public access, and the interests of existing property owners. 144
Chair Masters restated the motion, as amended, to designate Committee Members Ibarra 145 and Davis to conduct outreach to Punaluʻu landowners regarding Councilmember 146 Galimba’s Punaluʻu Survey and report their findings back to the Committee. The motion 147 passed unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:33:32] 148
4. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Request for CDP Guidance on the Hīlea Property 149 PONC Application – Brief presentation by TNC representative, Shalan Crysdale, 150 followed by Action Committee discussion and deliberation regarding TNC’s request 151
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 28, 2026 5
for CDP guidance on the protection of Makanau and adjecent lands. [SEE YOUTUBE 152
TIMESTAMP 1:34:56] 153
Shalan Crysdale, Director of the Hawaiʻi Forest Program for The Nature Conservancy 154
(TNC), thanked the Action Committee for its work in carrying forward the community’s 155
vision expressed through the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP). Mr. Crysdale 156 provided an overview of TNC’s efforts to protect freshwater resources and native 157 habitats and discussed the opportunity to acquire approximately 1,900 acres of forested 158 property. He explained that protecting the property would help preserve native forest, 159
watershed functions, and freshwater resources for future generations. 160
Mr. Crysdale noted that TNC has also focused on community and youth education, 161 including guided visits to the forest for approximately 1,000 students and community 162 members over the past year. He emphasized the importance of maintaining public and 163 customary access to the property if acquired, as well as ongoing efforts to establish 164
additional access into the forest. 165
Mr. Crysdale stated that he was seeking guidance from the Action Committee regarding 166 the proposed acquisition and emphasized the importance of community outreach, 167 continued public and customary access, and protecting natural resources in a manner 168 consistent with the CDP. 169
Committee Member Kuahiwinui asked whether TNC would divert stream waters from 170 the property. Shalan confirmed that TNC would not divert stream waters and stated that 171 TNC is working with ranchers leasing portions of the property to ensure they have the 172 water resources needed for their cattle. 173
Mr. Crysdale explained that TNC submitted the approximately 1,900-acre Hīlea property 174
for funding through the County’s PONC program. He stated that the property was 175 recently ranked favorably by the PONC Commission and closely aligns with the 176 program’s goals for open space, natural resource conservation, and land protection. He 177 noted that PONC funding is not guaranteed and that TNC is also pursuing funding 178 through the State’s Legacy Lands Fund. 179
Mr. Crysdale explained that the proposed conservation funding would include removing 180 development and subdivision rights from the property, with the goal of ensuring that the 181 approximately 1,900 acres remain protected and undeveloped in perpetuity. 182
Traven Apiki provided testimony regarding interest in consultation with TNC as a lineal 183
descendant and requested his contact be shared with Mr. Crysdale [SEE YOUTUBE 184
TIMESTAMP 1:27:26] 185
Chair Masters clarified the relevance of the proposed Hīlea property acquisition to the 186 Kaʻū CDP, noting that expanding the local system of preserved lands is identified as a 187 community objective and that TNC is identified as a potential partner in achieving this 188
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 28, 2026 6
objective. He further noted that submitting recommendations and nominations to the 189 County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission 190 (PONC) is consistent with the CDP’s identified actions for advancing land preservation 191
efforts. 192
Vice Chair Mokuhaliʻi moved for the Committee to proceed with drafting an Action 193 Committee letter regarding the consistency of the proposed TNC Hīlea acquisition with 194 the Kaʻū CDP for PONC funding. Committee Member Morrow seconded the motion. 195 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:50:56] 196
Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell clarified the PONC process, noting that the PONC 197 Commission had already ranked the Hīlea property as a high priority and determined 198 that it closely aligns with the program’s goals. She explained that the Commission will 199 submit its recommendations to the Mayor’s Office, which will then forward the matter to 200 the County Council. She further explained that the Councilmember representing the 201
district may submit a resolution to the full Council recommending acquisition. 202
Ms. Campbell clarified that any letter or testimony from the Action Committee regarding 203 the proposed acquisition should be directed to the Mayor’s Office or County Council, 204 rather than the PONC Commission. She noted that the motion before the Committee 205 remained appropriate as stated because it did not specify a recipient. 206
Ms. Campbell further explained that the Committee could either designate someone to 207 work with Planning staff to draft a letter and bring it back to the Committee for review 208 and approval or authorize one person to work with staff to prepare and send the letter 209 without bringing it back to the full Committee. She noted that the Committee could 210
authorize the process without finalizing the wording of the letter at the current meeting, 211
provided the Committee was comfortable with the general content and purpose of the 212 letter. 213
The Committee decided to have Committee Members Morrow and Mokuhaliʻi to work 214 with Planning staff to draft the letter and bring it back to the next meeting for the 215 Committee to approve. 216
Chair Masters restated the motion. The motion passed unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE 217
TIMESTAMP 1:55:08] 218
Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 219
Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 869 (2025), signed into law as Act 53, testimony on 220 matters not on the agenda may be limited to three minutes per speaker. No testimony 221
was provided. 222
No public testimony was provided at this time. 223
KAʻŪ CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 28, 2026 7
Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 224
Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 225 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 226
in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 227
such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 228
1:56:17] 229
Councilmember Galimba shared information regarding the Mayor’s most updated timeline 230 for County facility repairs in Kaʻū. Councilmember Galimba shared information regarding 231
the Mayor’s most updated timeline for County facility repairs in Kaʻū. She reported that 232 construction at the Pāhala Pool is planned to begin by the end of September 2026. The 233 Nāʻālehu ballfield lights are planned for completion by the end of 2027, and the Pāhala 234 ballfield lights are planned for completion by the end of 2028. Resurfacing of the Nāʻālehu 235 Park play court is planned for 2027, and construction of the Waiʻōhinu Park bathrooms is 236
anticipated to begin in July 2027. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:56:53] 237
238
Proposed New Business [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:59:51] 239
No new business was proposed at this time. 240
Adjournment 241
Chair Masters adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m. 242
These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s 243 Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi 244 Public Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the 245 Planning Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 246