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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2026-17 KOSN Plan PresentationKona Open Space Network January 2026 final report Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area 1 Communication No. 2026-17 Purpose of today’s presentation Provide an overview of the final report. Explain the proposed improvements and planning cost ranges. Discuss early priorities, partnerships and progress reporting. 2 A community effort over two decades August 2023 · Project launch June 2025 · Draft map review December 2025 · Community celebration Community knowledge, cultural consultation, GIS analysis and site visits shaped the final plan. 3 What the plan establishes A conceptual framework for protecting and connecting open space. Proposed connections through public corridors, easements or future acquisitions. No new zoning or land-use restrictions from this plan. Separate project design, review, funding and access agreements before delivery. 4 KOSN Planning Area •The Kona urban area was selected as the project area for the Kona Open Space Network because it is the region’s most densely populated and rapidly developing corridor, serving as the economic, cultural, and civic hub of West Hawaiʻi. •As described in the Kona CDP, this area faces significant pressure on mobility, infrastructure, cultural landscapes, and remaining mauka–makai open spaces. •By focusing on this urban stretch—where open space is limited, fragmented, and heavily used—the KOSN can have the greatest impact by improving walkability, strengthening connections between key sites, preserving cultural and natural resources, and supporting a more livable and resilient urban core. A Reader’s Guide to the KOSN Plan 6 What places matter most These are the hubs of the network— important cultural sites, natural areas, parks, schools, shoreline destinations, and community spaces. How those places connect The plan highlights mauka–makai routes, coastal pathways, neighborhood connectors, and greenway corridors that make it possible to travel safely and comfortably between places. Which areas need better connections The plan reveals where trails end abruptly, where sidewalks are missing, or where cultural sites have limited or sensitive access. How the landscape is organized The network follows Kona’s natural layout, as follows: •Uplands to shoreline •North to south along the coast •Across neighborhoods through key gathering points What the community helped shape The plan is built on community knowledge; that is, what people shared about trails, cultural sites, shoreline access, and local conditions during workshops and discussions. Why this plan matters for the future The Illustrative Plan creates a framework for future improvements. It helps guide the following: •Where new connections make the most sense •How open spaces can support cultural practices •Which areas should be preserved or restored •How people can move safely without relying on cars What comes next This chapter explains the vision of the KOSN Illustrative Plan; Chapter 4 identifies the specific improvements that would bring this vision to life. Illustrative Plan (Figures 1-5) Each Map illustrates: •A subarea geography •Existing natural, social, and cultural sites •KOSN planned/proposed projects •Planned/proposed projects by others •Existing and planned/proposed links •Open space hubs 7 Kalaoa to Kaloko Fishponds and shoreline landscapes anchor the area. Key gaps: inland access and continuous multimodal routes. Noting subcommittee request to update Figures with the ahupua’a names 8 Kaloko to Keahuolū Kona Open Space Network · January 2026 Civic destinations meet harbor and cultural resources. Key gaps: Palani Road and Kealakehe Parkway connections. Noting subcommittee request to update Figures with the ahupua’a names 9 Keahuolū to Lanihau Cultural landmarks, parks, the pier and village destinations are close together. Key gaps: Aliʻi Drive and routes to Old Airport Park. Noting subcommittee request to update Figures with the ahupua’a names 10 Lanihau to Pāhoehoe Walua Trail provides an important mobility spine. Key gaps: trail continuity, crossings and mauka– makai routes. Noting subcommittee request to update Figures with the ahupua’a names 11 Pāhoehoe to Keauhou Keauhou’s cultural landscapes and shoreline destinations anchor the south. Key gaps: Aliʻi Drive safety and inland-to-coast access. Noting subcommittee request to update Figures with the ahupua’a names 12 What the illustrative plan reveals Valuable open space resources already exist across Kona. Gaps in safe routes keep many resources disconnected. Small connections can improve continuity and daily access. Cultural and ecological sensitivity shapes appropriate access. 13 KOSN Proposed Projects •Project Number (corresponding to illustrative plan) •Project Title •Project Type •Description •Geographic Zone •Phase/Timeline •Rough Order of Magnitude Cost 14 Six types of proposed projects Project type Purpose Trail connections Close short but strategic gaps between existing paths and destinations Greenway-type corridors Create continuous walking and cycling routes along major roads Roadway safety Improve shoulders, crossings, signage and markings Access improvements Connect shoreline, cultural sites and village destinations Open space opportunities Include property acquisitions to protect resources and create community greenspace Regional connections Advance complex routes with multiple agency partners 15 Keahuolū to Lanihau project examples Project Project Description Timeframe P-32 · Pier–Brewery Block Wayfinding and pedestrian connectivity Near-term P-29 · Palani Road Continuous pedestrian/bicycle facility and crossing Mid-term P-15 · Kaiwi Street Connector signage and markings Mid-term P-25 · Makala Boulevard Crosswalks and park connectivity Mid-term P-36 · Puhi Springs Potential open-space parcel acquisition Mid-/long-term Timeframes are relative to implementation: near-term 1–5 years, mid-term 5–10 years, long-term 10+ years. 16 Planning scale of the proposed network Project Type Report estimate Greenway-type corridors and roadway safety More than 20 miles Trail connections and new pathway links Approximately 5.5–6 miles Shoreline access nodes Approximately 18–22 nodes Open space / parkland opportunities 3–4 parcels, approximately 40–60 acres Approximate map-derived estimates. Categories overlap. Future surveys and design will refine the quantities. 17 Phased implementation Phase Project Examples Implementation needs Near-term · 1–5 years Wayfinding, markings and selected access or safety work Clear lead, feasible scope and funding Mid-term · 5–10 years Corridor upgrades, crossings and trail connectors Design, permits and easement verification Long-term · 10+ years Regional routes and larger open-space concepts Agency partnerships and sustained investment Project readiness and resource protection determine sequencing. 18 Planning cost ranges by implementation zone Zone Geographic focus Primary Cost Drivers ROM range A Keauhou to Lako Roadway pedestrian/bicycle upgrades $2.1M–$4.5M B Laʻaloa to Walua Signage and trail connection $0.2M–$0.55M C Lako to Kailua Village Highway improvements and crossings $2.5M–$5.75M D Kailua Village to Old Airport Corridors and land acquisition $7.1M–$14.65M E Harbor to Airport Multi-mile arterial corridors $1.85M–$4.6M F Long-term regional concepts Major highway crossings, regional trail connections, and large open-space or firebreak park opportunities $7.6M–$21.5M January 2026 rough order of magnitude (ROM), U.S. dollars. Preliminary planning ranges, subject to design and review. 19 Implementation responsibilities Partner Proposed role County project leads Planning, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and R&D coordinate delivery by project Technical advisors Cultural practitioners and agency partners guide resource protection and review Community stewardship partners Support restoration, cultural interpretation, light maintenance and monitoring Mayor and County Council Provide policy alignment, budget decisions and oversight Project-specific assignments appear in the report’s RACI matrix (Appendix D). 20 Funding and long-term care County capital funding and operating budgets can support delivery and maintenance. PONC can support eligible open-space acquisition opportunities. State and federal partnerships may support trails, safety and resilience work. Landowner agreements, nonprofits and community partners can support stewardship. 21 Early implementation work Looking makai from Kealakehe / Pualani Estates Confirm project leads, land interests and access status. Advance feasible early projects through design and funding. Update GIS data, refresh the StoryMap and establish maintenance plans. 22 Keeping the network alive Planning maintains a geodatabase of the mapping elements that can be updated if corrections are needed, new information is available, and as projects are completed. We would like to have the final report adopted as a resolution through County Council. It can then be shared more broadly with our partners and referenced for implementation priorities. The Action Committee can also provide updated priorities and recommendations for implementation of the network. 23 Action Committee discussion Which early improvements or low hanging fruit would you like to prioritize? Which cultural and ecological protections should guide those projects? Which partners can help advance those priorities? How should the committee review progress and communicate with the community? 24 Mahalo! 25