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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2026-14 KOSN Subcommittee Communication to KCDP AC October 2026 - signedTo: Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP) Action Committee From: Kona Open Space Network (KOSN) Subcommittee Re: Adopting and Implementing the Kona Open Space Network Plan The KOSN Subcommittee, which has been involved in the Kona Open Space Network planning effort for over ten years, is very grateful for the County’s support in developing this vital, high-priority plan for our community. The Jacobs’ Kona Open Space Network report you are receiving, covers the benefits, development methodology, open space network maps and proposed improvements for this network. With this communication, we are formally submitting our favorable recommendation for the adoption of the KOSN plan. As the KCDP Action Committee helps to shepherd this plan towards formal adoption and implementation, we humbly offer the following input. Please keep in mind that the Kona Open Space Network plan provides an initial foundation and framework for an enhanced and safer open space network for walking and biking throughout the Kona urban area. It is meant to be an adaptive, dynamic plan intended to evolve as Kona evolves utilizing ongoing community input. Concurrent with adoption of this plan, a process for amending this plan needs to be proposed and adopted. Strong involvement by the Kona community is essential for identifying highly desired amendments to the open space network. The community could bring these proposals to KCDP Action Committee meetings for public discussion. Widely supported proposed amendments could then be periodically recommended by the KCDP Action Committee to the County Planning Department. The County Council and Planning Department Director will need to determine the appropriate approval authority for these recommended amendments. To gain traction in implementing this plan and being mindful of current County financial constraints, the KOSN Subcommittee developed a list of specific, doable near-term projects which will improve connectivity and safety in the open space network. Other longer-term projects are also included which would greatly enhance open space connections for walking and biking throughout the Kona urban community. These proposed improvements can all be found in the Jacobs’ report. We are prepared to share our thoughts with you on prioritizing several projects for initial implementation when we meet with you to discuss the KOSN plan (please see Attachment 1). This discussion should be helpful for the KCDP Action Committee in developing recommendations to the County on Kona community priorities for consideration in the County budget and PONC process. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss all of this and answer any questions you may have. Sincerely and on behalf of the KOSN Subcommittee, Kari Kimura, Chair Communication No. 2026-14 Attachment 1 Prioritized KOSN Improvement Projects for Initial Implementation Consideration The following improvement projects are doable and would help gain traction and community excitement in the initial implementation of the KOSN plan: 1. Puhi Springs parcel (TMK 750060010000) PONC acquisition (project P-36) 2. La’aloa-Walua Trail Connector (project P-39) 3. Pier to Brewery Block Corridor (project P-32) 4. Kealakehe Parkway Pedestrian/Bicycle Lane (project P-18) Additionally, there are two long-term projects that could be phased in over time and begun initially by establishing maintained firebreaks that will improve the emergency resilience of the Kona urban area. Former HFD Chief Kazuo Todd attended one of the early Kona Open Space Network (KOSN) planning meetings held on 1/11/2024. Chief Todd encouraged the KOSN planning team to identify opportunities during our investigations which would improve the emergency resilience of the Kona urban area. The planning team has identified two such opportunities that the County owns which could become important permanent fire breaks for adjacent subdivisions and provide access for the HFD during emergencies. Both of these locations are currently overgrown with nonnative vegetation that could restrict HFD access for firefighting and contribute fuels to any fire which may occur in those areas. One of the locations is also adjacent to a busy highway, and historical research has shown a majority of wildfires in Hawaii occur along highways. The two locations identified are: 5. The Ali’i Drive Bypass ROW, especially the segments adjacent to subdivisions (see KOSN projects P-20 and P-23) 6. The segment of the old Kailua - Keauhou Middle Road north of Lako Street to the highway (portions of this old road became part of the Walua Trail). We recommend that these emergency resilience opportunities be brought to the attention of the proper County authorities, in honor and memory of Chief Kazuo Todd.