Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-08 KCDP Minutes Final KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1 ACTION COMMITTEE 2 COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 3 FINAL MINUTES 4 September 8, 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 12:03 p.m. The meeting was held in person at the West 8 Hawaiʻi Civic Center – B2 Conference Room and online via the Zoom platform. 9 The full YouTube video of this meeting can be found here: 10 https://youtu.be/iaswyrxM0d4?si=NT4drYQu_x8yrygl 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 • Charla Thompson 18 Members Present (via Zoom): Shane Palacat-Nelsen (arrived at 12:16 p.m.) 19 Members Absent: Roselyn Molina 20 Planning Department Staff Present: 21 • Janice Hata 22 • Kawelo Kalili 23 • Jessica Lahip (via Zoom) 24 There were approximately four members of the public in attendance. 25 Approval of Minutes 26 At approximately 12:06 p.m., the Committee considered the July 14, 2026 draft meeting 27 minutes. Committee Member Kirchner moved to approve the minutes and Committee 28 Member Young seconded the motion. There being no corrections or discussion, the 29 motion passed unanimously. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:12] 30 Public Testimony on Agenda Items 31 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on agenda items at approximately 12:06 p.m. 32 Sue Aronson provided a brief update from the Mayor’s West Hawaiʻi wastewater task force, 33 including discussion of Kealakehe wastewater planning, a potential land exchange 34 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of September 8, 2026 2 involving Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property, archaeological considerations, 35 and the R-1 upgrade. Jeff Zimpfer of the National Park Service stated that the Kaloko-36 Honokōhau visitor center currently relies on a holding tank and that the Park Service is 37 interested in connecting to the nearby public sewer system. No additional testimony was 38 offered at that time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 03:40] 39 Third-Party Reports; Government Officials 40 Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Senate Bill 405 (2025), signed into law as Act 72, the AC may receive 41 and discuss information from third-party reports by any government official not included 42 in the publicly noticed agenda, but may not make decisions on matters raised through 43 such reports until a later meeting with proper notice. 44 Chair Pelletier called for third-party reports from government officials. No third-party 45 reports were presented. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 05:55] 46 Business 47 1. Kona Community Development Plan Review and Evaluation: Discussion and 48 possible action regarding the AC’s duties under Chapter 16 of the Hawaiʻi County 49 Code to monitor the progress and effectiveness of the Kona CDP and consider the 50 need for amendments. The AC will discuss undertaking a chapter-by-chapter review 51 of the CDP as a framework for fulfilling these responsibilities, utilizing the 52 Implementation Matrix included in Chapter 5 (Action Plan). Discussion may include 53 evaluating implementation of the Action Plan, reviewing progress toward achieving the 54 Kona CDP’s Guiding Principles and objectives, identifying changing conditions or 55 emerging issues affecting the Plan, and establishing a process for identifying 56 recommendations. 57 This item was called to order at approximately 12:09 p.m. No public testimony was 58 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 06:20] 59 Vice Chair Pisicchio presented a proposed framework for beginning a structured 60 review of the Kona CDP. She recommended starting in November, placing the review 61 on each monthly agenda, and generally limiting discussion to approximately 30 62 minutes so other Committee business could continue. She proposed using the 63 Chapter 5 implementation matrix as the principal framework because it summarizes 64 CDP goals, policies, actions, responsible parties, and implementation responsibilities. 65 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 07:59] 66 Vice Chair Pisicchio suggested a template worksheet of the Implementation Matrix 67 could help AC members go through the review of the actions and see the various 68 agencies that are assigned to lead the work. The proposed outcomes included 69 reacquainting Committee members and the public with the 2008 Kona CDP; 70 identifying near-term implementation opportunities; preparing a summary “report 71 card” on implementation, accomplishments, challenges, and unfulfilled actions; 72 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of September 8, 2026 3 identifying potential amendments; and considering improvements to the CDP 73 program. Committee Member Kirchner emphasized that Chapter 6 also calls for an 74 annual report card and requested that the framework contemplate continuing annual 75 reporting. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 11:04] 76 Committee Member Kirchner recommended that the AC incorporate an annual report 77 card into the review plan and publish it each year for public review. [SEE YOUTUBE 78 TIMESTAMP 12:34] 79 Committee members generally supported the framework and discussed the 80 importance of keeping the effort manageable, maintaining continuity beyond the 81 current Committee membership, improving accountability among agencies assigned 82 implementation responsibilities, identifying priorities, and using the review to invite 83 responsible agencies to explain implementation status. Members also expressed hope 84 that the process would renew public interest and participation in the Kona CDP. [SEE 85 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 15:30] 86 Vice Chair Pisicchio moved to approve the proposed framework for beginning a 87 structured review of the Kona CDP, including the discussed annual-reporting concept, 88 and to begin placing the review on the agenda starting in November. Committee 89 Member Kirchner seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. [SEE 90 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 22:49] 91 This item concluded at approximately 12:26 p.m. 92 2. Formal Request to the Department of Environmental Management on the 93 Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant: Discussion regarding the status of the 94 Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, including its ability to serve existing and future 95 development. The AC may consider potential action, including requesting that the 96 Director of the Department of Environmental Management provide an update at a 97 future meeting on the facility’s treatment capacity, planned expansion efforts, and 98 considerations for serving nearby projects, including the proposed new medical facility 99 in Kona. 100 This item was called to order at approximately 12:27 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 101 23:29] 102 Committee Member Kirchner proposed inviting the Department of Environmental 103 Management (DEM) Director to a future meeting to discuss the Kealakehe facility, 104 including treatment and environmental compliance, service area expansion, the 105 Kealakehe Regional Park, the proposed Kona hospital complex, public sewer 106 expansion, and conversion of cesspools. Discussion emphasized the relationship 107 between wastewater infrastructure and major community facilities, environmental 108 protection, and the proliferation of private treatment systems. [SEE YOUTUBE 109 TIMESTAMP 24:15] 110 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of September 8, 2026 4 Committee members and public participants discussed prior plans for reclaimed water 111 use, lift station infrastructure, financing constraints, nature-based treatment concepts, 112 and the need to understand funding options for wastewater improvements. Vice Chair 113 Pisicchio noted that a Kona CDP public facilities financing plan had been prepared 114 around 2010-2011 and suggested staff attempt to locate and distribute it for possible 115 future discussion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 25:30] 116 Committee Member Kirchner moved to transmit a letter inviting the DEM Director to 117 provide an update. Vice Chair Pisicchio seconded the motion. During discussion, staff 118 suggested strengthening the letter by citing applicable Kona CDP wastewater policies, 119 objectives, actions, and assigned implementation responsibilities. The Committee 120 agreed that staff could incorporate those references and that the Mayor and Planning 121 Director should be copied. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 30:41] 122 The motion to send the letter, as discussed and refined, passed unanimously. [SEE 123 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 51:06] 124 This item concluded at approximately 12:54 p.m. 125 3. Community Development Plan References for Committee Recommendations: 126 Discussion and possible action regarding a proposal to reference applicable goals, 127 policies, actions, or implementation measures from the Kona CDP when developing 128 AC recommendations, correspondence, and testimony related to matters within the 129 AC’s advisory responsibilities. 130 This item was called to order at approximately 12:55 p.m. No public testimony was 131 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 51:38] 132 Committee Member Kirchner explained that Action Committee recommendations 133 should be clearly tied to the Kona CDP so the public and decision-makers understand 134 the basis for the AC’s involvement. Members agreed that citing specific CDP provisions 135 strengthens the credibility and authority of AC correspondence and helps keep the 136 Committee focused on its advisory responsibilities. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 137 52:20] 138 Members noted that the AC already uses this approach in many instances, including 139 its prior Bill 147 testimony. The Committee reached general agreement to continue 140 consistently referencing applicable CDP provisions in future recommendations and 141 correspondence. No motion was made and no formal action was taken. [SEE 142 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 52:51] 143 This item concluded at approximately 12:59 p.m. 144 4. Committee Testimony Regarding Bill 147: Discussion and possible action regarding 145 Bill 147, including an update on the bill’s status, consideration of AC testimony, and 146 authorization for a designated AC member to present testimony on behalf of the 147 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of September 8, 2026 5 Committee at future Hawaiʻi County Council or Council Committee meetings, 148 consistent with any position adopted by the AC. 149 This item was called to order at approximately 1:00 p.m. No public testimony was 150 provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 56:55] 151 Chair Pelletier summarized recent action on Bill 147 relating to transient 152 accommodations. He reported that the Planning Commissions had recommended 153 excluding Multiple-Family Residential (RM) and Neighborhood Commercial (CN) 154 zoning districts from areas where unhosted vacation rentals would be allowed, 155 consistent with recommendations previously advanced by the AC. He also noted 156 testimony from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supporting related concerns. The County 157 Council Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development had 158 postponed further consideration to September 15, 2026. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 159 57:45] 160 Because the Council’s meeting cycle can occur more frequently than the AC’s monthly 161 meetings, Chair Pelletier requested authorization to present oral testimony on behalf 162 of the Committee at upcoming meetings, limited to the positions previously adopted 163 by the AC. Committee Member Kirchner moved to authorize the Chair to represent the 164 Committee’s position on Bill 147, and Committee Member Young seconded the 165 motion. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:01:17] 166 The motion passed unanimously. Chair Pelletier stated that he would continue 167 updating the Committee on the bill’s progress. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:04:26] 168 This item concluded at approximately 1:07 p.m. 169 Public Testimony on Matters Not on the Agenda 170 Chair Pelletier called for public testimony on matters not on the agenda at approximately 171 1:08 p.m. No testimony was provided at that time. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:04:57] 172 Proposed New Business 173 Committee Member Kirchner proposed a future agenda item to develop a process for the 174 Chapter 6 annual report card called for in the Kona CDP. Members discussed the 175 distinction between the Chapter 5 implementation review approved earlier in the meeting 176 and the broader Chapter 6 indicators and reporting process. Several members expressed 177 support for eventually addressing Chapter 6 but preferred first gaining experience with 178 the Chapter 5 review. A motion to place the Chapter 6 item on the November agenda did 179 not pass. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:05:38] 180 Committee Member Thompson requested follow-up related to the next Tree City USA 181 application, including the annual mayoral proclamation and Parks and Recreation budget 182 information. Staff agreed to assist with agency contacts. Members also discussed 183 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of September 8, 2026 6 continuing to monitor Bill 147 and following up on previously transmitted letters to the 184 Department of Water Supply and Department of Public Works. [SEE YOUTUBE 185 TIMESTAMP 01:18:42] 186 Announcements 187 Chair Pelletier called for announcements at approximately 1:25 p.m. 188 Committee Member Thompson and Vice Chair Pisicchio summarized their participation 189 in an Arborist Advisory Committee meeting regarding Tree City USA and broader 190 community tree planning. Discussion included the potential expansion of the Arborist 191 Advisory Committee’s role, the value of a County arborist position, tree maintenance 192 standards, and the importance of urban trees for shade, flood mitigation, and community 193 infrastructure. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:22:36] 194 Chair Pelletier summarized guidance from Corporation Counsel concerning AC meeting 195 procedures. He stated that the Action Committees operate under modified parliamentary 196 procedures and may allow a more flexible exchange with the public, while still ensuring 197 required opportunities for public testimony and maintaining the Chair’s responsibility to 198 keep discussion orderly and on topic. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:30:40] 199 The Planning Department announced that applications continue to be accepted for the 200 Kona CDP Action Committee through the Mayor’s Office Boards and Commissions 201 process. The next meeting was announced for Tuesday, October 13, 2026. [SEE 202 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:32:23] 203 Committee Member Young reported on a recent State Department of Land and Natural 204 Resources hearing regarding aquarium fish collecting in West Hawaiʻi and discussed the 205 value of coordinated County and State advocacy. Committee Member Palacat-Nelsen 206 similarly emphasized the importance of creating avenues for County community 207 perspectives to be heard at the State level. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:32:42] 208 The Zoom meeting connection was briefly disrupted at approximately 1:30 p.m. [SEE 209 YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:36:15] 210 Randy Botti, attending from the B2 Conference Room, introduced himself and expressed 211 interest in becoming more involved in Kona community planning efforts, particularly the 212 Kona Open Space Network and shoreline access. Chair Pelletier encouraged Mr. Botti 213 and other interested residents to consider applying to serve on the Action Committee. 214 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 01:39:53] 215 Adjournment 216 Chair Pelletier adjourned the meeting at approximately 1:48 p.m. [SEE YOUTUBE 217 TIMESTAMP 01:45:00] 218 KONA CDP ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of September 8, 2026 7 These minutes and all related documents are available in the Planning Department’s Kona 219 Community Development Plan Action Committee folder via the County of Hawaiʻi Public 220 Documents Repository. These documents may also be requested from the Planning 221 Department by calling (808) 961-8288 or emailing CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. 222