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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-14 KCDP Minutes Final KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 FINAL MINUTES 4 July 14, 2026 5 Call to Order 6 Chair John Pelletier called the meeting of the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) 7 Action Committee (AC) to order at 12:02 p.m. The meeting was held in person at the West 8 Hawaiʻi Civic Center – Building G and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://youtu.be/FtYHXx46KPo?si=eWtufvasWjk6N3VS 11 Roll Call 12 Members Present (in person): 13 • John Pelletier, Chair 14 • Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair 15 • Charles Young 16 • Raymond “RJ” Kirchner 17 Members Present (via Zoom): Shane Palacat-Nelsen and Charla Thompson 18 Members Absent: Roselyn Molina 19 Planning Department Staff Present: 20 • Janice Hata 21 • Kawelo Kalili 22 • Maryam Palma (via Zoom) 23 • Jessica Lahip (via Zoom) 24 There were approximately six members of the public in attendance (two in person and 25 four via Zoom). 26 Approval of Minutes 27 Chair Pelletier requested approval of the June 9, 2026 draft meeting minutes at 28 approximately 12:05 p.m. Committee Member Young moved to approve the minutes, and 29 Committee Member Kirchner seconded the motion. There being no discussion or 30 corrections, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the June 9, 2026 draft meeting 31 minutes. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:51] 32 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 2 Public Testimony on Agenda Items 33 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on agenda items at approximately 12:06 p.m. 34 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 04:36] 35 Janice Palma Glennie testified regarding Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 147, Relating to 36 Transient Accommodations. She expressed continued concern with the latest draft of the 37 bill, stating that it did not adequately address the impacts of short-term vacation rentals 38 on neighborhood character and housing affordability. She urged the County to limit 39 unhosted short-term vacation rentals to resort areas and restrict hosted rentals to owner-40 hosted operations. She stated that stronger regulations similar to those adopted by other 41 counties would better protect local residents while still allowing homeowners to 42 supplement their income. She thanked the AC for continuing to advocate for community 43 interests. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 05:05] 44 Vice Chair Pisicchio encouraged Ms. Glennie to provide the same testimony before the 45 Leeward Planning Commission during its upcoming meeting, noting that the Commission 46 would also be considering Bill 147. 47 No additional public testimony was provided at that time. 48 Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 49 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 50 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 51 in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 52 such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. 53 Chair Pelletier called for third-party reports from government officials. No third-party 54 reports were presented. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 08:02] 55 Business 56 1. Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Update: Presentation by Franny Brewer regarding the 57 status of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) in Kona, including an overview of 58 Interim Rule 26-1 issued by the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, 59 current detection and response efforts, and opportunities for community involvement 60 in CRB detection and removal. The AC may ask questions, discuss the presentation, 61 and consider potential action, including providing recommendations or authorizing 62 correspondence related to CRB response efforts. 63 This item was called to order at approximately 12:10 p.m. No public testimony was 64 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 08:23] 65 Franny Brewer, Program Manager for the Big Island Invasive Species Committee 66 (BIISC), provided an update on the status of the CRB on Hawaiʻi Island. She explained 67 that the beetle is among the world’s most destructive invasive species and has caused 68 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 3 significant damage to coconut palms and other palm species throughout Hawaiʻi. She 69 reviewed the history of detections, noting that an earlier Waikoloa infestation had been 70 successfully eradicated in 2024, while a separate infestation detected near Kona 71 International Airport in March 2025 had expanded substantially, with approximately 72 1,200 beetles detected in the Kona area. She also reported a recent detection in Hilo. 73 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 09:32] 74 Ms. Brewer described BIISC’s monitoring and response efforts, including islandwide 75 trapping, public reporting, surveys of palm damage, detection dogs trained to locate 76 breeding sites, and outreach to residents and businesses. She emphasized that 77 breeding sites in decomposing green waste present the greatest opportunity for beetle 78 reproduction and encouraged residents to properly dispose of green waste and report 79 suspected larvae or adult beetles rather than destroying them before identification. 80 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:18] 81 Ms. Brewer also reviewed Interim Rule 26-1, adopted by the Hawaiʻi Department of 82 Agriculture and Biosecurity, which requires businesses within affected areas that 83 commercially move or handle palm material or decomposing green waste to complete 84 compliance training and follow best management practices. She stated that business 85 compliance remained low and described a County Council resolution seeking stronger 86 State enforcement of the rule. She encouraged affected businesses to obtain training 87 and encouraged public support for improved enforcement. [SEE YOUTUBE 88 TIMESTAMP 24:45] 89 Committee members discussed available CRB control methods, including proper 90 management of mulch and compost piles to achieve temperatures sufficient to kill 91 larvae and eggs. Members also discussed limited green waste disposal opportunities 92 in West Hawaiʻi and the relationship between inadequate disposal access, 93 unauthorized dumping, and potential CRB breeding sites. [SEE YOUTUBE 94 TIMESTAMP 28:52] 95 Janice Palma Glennie raised concern about large unauthorized green waste dumping 96 sites in Kona, including along Hualālai Road. Ms. Brewer stated that BIISC shares those 97 concerns and explained that reports involving apparent commercial-scale dumping 98 are referred to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, while BIISC continues coordinating 99 with County agencies regarding green waste disposal access. [SEE YOUTUBE 100 TIMESTAMP 31:02] 101 Chair Pelletier asked that the resolution number and text referenced by Ms. Brewer be 102 identified so the AC could consider whether to provide supporting testimony at a future 103 meeting. No motion was made and no formal action was taken. [SEE YOUTUBE 104 TIMESTAMP 34:18] 105 This item concluded at approximately 12:36 p.m. 106 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 4 2. Road Priorities: Discussion regarding transportation priorities identified in the Kona 107 CDP, including the Kahului-Keauhou Parkway and Lako Street Extension. The AC may 108 consider potential action, including requesting that the Director of the Department of 109 Public Works provide an update at a future meeting on the status, planned 110 implementation, and anticipated timeline for these transportation projects. 111 This item was called to order at approximately 12:37 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 112 34:57] 113 Josephine Keliʻipio testified that the Kahului-Keauhou Parkway had been identified as 114 a priority many years ago when federal funding was contemplated but questioned 115 whether it remained a current priority. She stated that the existing bypass has reduced 116 congestion in portions of South Kona and expressed concern about impacts of 117 extending the parkway through residential areas. She raised concerns regarding 118 unsafe driver behavior and stated that strong traffic-calming measures should be 119 considered if additional roadway construction proceeds. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 120 35:30] 121 Committee Member Kirchner stated that both the Kahului-Keauhou Parkway and Lako 122 Street Extension remain important transportation corridors identified in the Kona CDP. 123 He emphasized the need for additional mauka-makai evacuation routes from the Aliʻi 124 Drive area and additional north-south capacity to address congestion. He proposed 125 inviting the Director of the Department of Public Works to provide an update on the 126 status of the two projects and any alternative transportation planning under 127 consideration. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 37:46] 128 Committee members generally supported obtaining a focused agency update. 129 Discussion included the need to understand prior environmental and cultural review, 130 community impacts, current congestion and evacuation needs, and whether the 131 County still intends to advance the projects. Members also noted that transportation 132 issues are connected to housing patterns, employment locations, and broader growth 133 throughout West Hawaiʻi. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 42:30] 134 Committee Member Kirchner moved to invite the Director of Public Works, or a 135 representative, to attend a future AC meeting and provide an update regarding current 136 planning for the Kahului-Keauhou Parkway and Lako Street Extension, including 137 alternatives for addressing traffic if the projects are not advanced. Vice Chair Pisicchio 138 seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The Committee agreed that 139 staff would place the request on letterhead for Chair Pelletier to sign and transmit to 140 the Department of Public Works. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 42:01] 141 This item concluded at approximately 12:57 p.m. 142 3. Water Resources: Discussion regarding water resource planning and infrastructure 143 considerations affecting the Kona CDP area. The AC may consider potential action, 144 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 5 including requesting that the Manager-Chief Engineer of the Department of Water 145 Supply attend a future meeting to provide an overview of Kona’s water resources, 146 current planning efforts, and available public information resources. 147 This item was called to order at approximately 12:57 p.m. No public testimony was 148 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 55:34] 149 Committee Member Kirchner raised concerns regarding recent well outages, the 150 development of additional public and private wells, and the lack of clear public 151 information regarding how new water resources are permitted, allocated, and 152 prioritized. He proposed inviting Keith Okamoto, Manager-Chief Engineer of the 153 Department of Water Supply, to address questions outlined in a proposed letter 154 regarding system reliability, additional wells, coordination with the State Commission 155 on Water Resource Management, allocation of future water supply, and priorities for 156 serving community needs and planned development areas. [SEE YOUTUBE 157 TIMESTAMP 56:25] 158 Vice Chair Pisicchio noted that the existing Kona CDP contains limited guidance on 159 water infrastructure and stated that a Department of Water Supply presentation would 160 help the AC better understand how water availability affects transit-oriented 161 development, housing, and other CDP priorities. Committee members discussed the 162 respective roles of County and State agencies, the public trust nature of water 163 resources, the need for greater transparency in allocation decisions, and the 164 importance of aligning water infrastructure with community priorities. [SEE YOUTUBE 165 TIMESTAMP 58:43] 166 Committee Member Young also described ongoing regional water-resource planning 167 and emerging desalination concepts as examples of issues that may affect future water 168 supply and infrastructure decisions. Members agreed that a broader discussion with 169 the Department of Water Supply would be useful. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 170 01:00:19] 171 Committee Member Kirchner moved to invite Keith Okamoto, or a representative of 172 the Department of Water Supply, to a future meeting to discuss the questions outlined 173 in his proposed letter. Committee Member Young seconded the motion. The motion 174 passed unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:10:57] 175 This item concluded at approximately 1:13 p.m. 176 4. Kona CDP Refresher and Future Comprehensive Review Process: Discussion 177 regarding a refresher on the Kona CDP, including its purpose, priorities, and role in 178 guiding AC work. The AC may also discuss and brainstorm preliminary considerations 179 for a future comprehensive review process. 180 This item was called to order at approximately 1:14 p.m. No public testimony was 181 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:12:05] 182 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 6 Committee Member Kirchner proposed reviewing the Kona CDP section by section 183 over future meetings to identify future amendments. Members agreed that the plan is 184 now many years old and that a structured refresher could help the AC better 185 understand existing priorities, identify provisions that have not been implemented, and 186 prepare for a future formal update process. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:12:40] 187 Vice Chair Pisicchio and other members cautioned against describing the effort as a 188 “comprehensive review,” noting that the term could imply a formal legal process 189 requiring broader public participation, consultant support, and coordination with the 190 General Plan. Members emphasized that the immediate purpose should be to refresh 191 the Committee and community on the existing plan rather than to undertake formal 192 amendments. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:13:24] 193 Discussion included the value of reviewing the CDP in manageable sections, setting 194 aside limited time on future agendas, identifying overlooked implementation 195 opportunities, comparing relevant provisions with the adopted General Plan when 196 useful, and seeking substantial public involvement before recommending significant 197 changes. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:21:33] 198 The Committee reached general agreement to continue refining the scope and 199 terminology and to return to the matter at a future meeting before beginning a 200 recurring refresher process. No motion was made and no formal action was taken. 201 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:44:36] 202 This item concluded at approximately 1:55 p.m. 203 5. Bill 147 Update: Update on recent Planning Commission hearings regarding Bill 147, 204 relating to transient accommodations, followed by discussion and deliberation 205 regarding the Kona CDP AC’s prior position on Bill 147. The AC may review related 206 testimony included in the meeting packet and may consider authorizing the Chair, or 207 another designated Committee member, to provide oral testimony at the upcoming 208 Leeward Planning Commission meeting to clarify the AC’s position and respond to 209 prior testimony. 210 This item was called to order at approximately 1:55 p.m. No public testimony was 211 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:53:23] 212 Chair Pelletier summarized the prior Leeward Planning Commission hearing and 213 stated that Council Member Kimball had provided proposed language addressing 214 unhosted transient accommodations in Multiple-Family Residential (RM) districts. He 215 stated that the proposed language was generally consistent with the AC’s earlier 216 position and that Council Member Kimball had encouraged the Planning Commission 217 to directly address the issue raised by the AC. Chair Pelletier and Vice Chair Pisicchio 218 prepared supplemental testimony intended to clarify the AC’s position and support the 219 proposed approach for RM districts, while also addressing Neighborhood Commercial 220 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 7 (CN) and Downtown Hilo Commercial District (CDH) zoning considerations. [SEE 221 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:54:02] 222 Committee members discussed the effect of grandfathered short-term vacation rental 223 uses, whether permits transfer upon sale, and the broader inflationary effect of short-224 term vacation rental investment on housing prices. Vice Chair Pisicchio also noted that 225 a separate enforcement ordinance addressing advertising of unregistered units was 226 expected to take effect later in the year. 227 Chair Pelletier moved to submit the supplemental testimony to the Leeward Planning 228 Commission and to present the testimony orally at the Commission’s Thursday 229 meeting. Vice Chair Pisicchio seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 230 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:57:55] 231 This item concluded at approximately 2:05 p.m. 232 6. Holomua Marine Initiative – Request for Presentation: Discussion regarding the 233 Holomua Marine Initiative and whether the Kona CDP AC should request a future 234 informational presentation from the State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources 235 (DAR). The presentation would help Committee members better understand the 236 initiative, its potential relationship to Kona CDP goals and priorities, and whether the 237 Committee may wish to consider future recommendations or other appropriate action 238 at a later meeting. 239 This item was called to order at approximately 2:05 p.m. No public testimony was 240 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:03:25] 241 Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen stated that an informational presentation from the 242 Division of Aquatic Resources would allow the AC to better understand the Holomua 243 Marine Initiative, how it may relate to CDP priorities, and how community input is being 244 incorporated into marine-resource management. Committee members expressed 245 support for receiving information directly from DAR before considering any future 246 recommendations. 247 Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen moved to request a presentation from DAR. 248 Committee Member Young seconded the motion. Members identified Chris Teague, 249 the West Hawaiʻi regional representative, as an appropriate contact, and Committee 250 Members Palacat-Nelsen and Young offered to reach out directly. The motion passed 251 unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:05:13] 252 This item concluded at approximately 2:10 p.m. 253 Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 254 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on matters not on the agenda at approximately 255 2:10 p.m. No public testimony was provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:09:03] 256 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 8 Proposed New Business 257 This item was called to order at approximately 2:10 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 258 02:09:18] 259 Committee Member Kirchner proposed a future agenda item regarding wastewater 260 infrastructure serving the planned West Hawaiʻi hospital site. He stated that the hospital 261 project may need a private wastewater treatment facility despite being located across from 262 the County wastewater treatment plant and requested that the Director of the Department 263 of Environmental Management be invited to explain the status and capacity of the public 264 system. Vice Chair Pisicchio suggested that Committee Member Kirchner prepare a draft 265 letter for consideration at the next meeting. 266 Committee Member Kirchner also proposed discussion of a tree-planting plan for major 267 highway corridors in Kona. Vice Chair Pisicchio expressed concern that selecting specific 268 planting locations or species would be premature before completion of broader Tree City 269 and community tree-planning efforts. 270 Chair Pelletier also noted that Bill 147 would continue to return as needed. Members were 271 reminded that additional agenda items may be submitted to the Chair, Vice Chair, and 272 Planning Department staff. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:15:42] 273 Announcements 274 Chair Pelletier invited Jeff Zimpfer to share an announcement regarding a U.S. Geological 275 Survey community meeting regarding a hydrologic modeling project for the Kaloko-276 Honokōhau area. The meeting was scheduled for August 3, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 277 p.m. at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building B, second-floor conference room. The 278 project team planned to provide an overview of prior work, explain the proposed modeling 279 effort, and receive community input. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 02:16:00] 280 The Planning Department announced that it continues to seek applicants for the Kona 281 CDP Action Committee. Applications are available through the Mayor’s Office Boards and 282 Commissions webpage: 283 https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-and-commissions 284 The next Kona CDP Action Committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 285 2026. 286 Committee Member Thompson stated that the Tree City item did not need to return at the 287 next meeting because additional work was still underway and she would advise the Chair 288 when there was more to report. 289 Adjournment 290 Chair Pelletier adjourned the meeting at approximately 2:21 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE 291 TIMESTAMP 02:19:40] 292 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of July 14, 2026 9 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 293 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 294 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 295 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 296