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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-12 NICDP Minutes Final NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING DATE September 12, 2011 TIME 4:35 p.m. PLACE North Kohala Senior Center (the old courthouse) 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway, Kohala, HI 96755 ATTENDANCE Members Present: Joe Carvalho, Marlene Ching, Hermann Fernandez, Susan Fischer, Ron Friman, Giovanna Gherardi, Collin Kaholo, Richard Liebmann, Bob Martin Planning Department: none Guest Speaker: Melora Purell, Coordinator for the Kawaihae/Pelekane Bay watershed restoration project Public Attendance: Megan Solis, Liz Purtell, Sarah Pule-Fujii, Lena Kapeliela, Frank Cipriani, Judith Fisher ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS APPROVAL OF MINUTES The May 9 minutes were unanimously approved after a motion by Richard and a second by Giovanna. Changes were made to the draft August minutes including clarifications to the Affordable Housing and Agriculture Subcommittee reports, and corrections to the Department of Water Supply presentation. The August 8 minutes were unanimously approved after a motion by Richard and a second by Hermann. REVIEW OF TERMS FOR NKCDP ACTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS Giovanna's position started on September 1. The Planning Department has received three applications. Project Manager Rosalind Newlon of the Planning Department, Giovanna, and Joe will interview applicants. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none PRESENTATION: 1) PELEKANE WATERSHED Coordinator Melora Purell shared her experience with erosion prevention techniques used at the Kawaihae/Pelekane Watershed, methods which could be used at Upolu Point to keep soil out of the ocean. In August of 2009, Kohala Watershed Partnership (KWP) was the recipient of a $2.69M competitive grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for coastal restoration through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This funded the Pelekane Bay Watershed Restoration Project to address the sources and impacts of land-based se The project area encompassed 6600 acres owned by Queen Emma Land Company and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, and leased to Parker Ranch. Fencing protected existing native shrubs and trees within an enclosure free of pigs, cattle and goats. Native ground covers and woody plants of 30 species were planted, each with an irrigation drip line receiving a gallon a month. A restoration plan to reduce sediment inputs into coastal waters follows three objectives: (I) Maintain existing ground cover to prevent actively eroding areas from expanding. (II) Restore native vegetation to critically eroding areas. Native plants are more adapted to site conditions, resistant to drought and fire, collect mist, and will rehabilitate the land by cleaning the runoff, and providing habitat for native fauna. (III) Reduce sediment transport and storage in drainage ways and gullies. A combination of structural and biological erosion control measures can be used for the most critical areas. Sediment check dams are constructed of rocks wrapped in ground cloth and hog wire. The dams are situated d and allowing the sediment to settle and collect. Biodegradable erosion control fabric called “Sediment Stop”, made of cotton threads woven loosely with bits of straw, comes in 9 foot wide, 50 foot long rolls, costing $119 per roll, and is shipped from the mainland. The gully is first smoothed by hand, the length of the fabric is unrolled along the contour and sprinkled with a native seed (a mix of pili grass, ‘weoweo, ‘uhaloa, pua kala, and ‘ilima), then rolled up into a tube along its width, and pinned down with wooden stakes. On steeper slopes, the fabric rolls are closer together. After storms, seeds sprout from within the rolls. Melora observed the Upolu restoration area already has many native ground covers to maintain and encourage. Laying down some fabric in a few of the most eroded areas and further restoration of native vegetation would aid in reducing sediment inputs into coastal waters. REPORTS: 2) REDISTRICTING REPORT Joe Carvalho, NKCDP Chair and Redistricting Commissioner, reported the Commission commission working on plans to get the optimum number of people in each area. Puna, Hilo, and Hamakua need adjustment. September 15 is the last day for the public to submit plans. 3) OPEN OCEAN AQUACULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT The open ocean aquaculture committee report was emailed to each member prior to the meeting. The history of the project was reviewed briefly. Each AC member was to review the info package in preparation for a discussion at October's AC meeting. NEW BUSINESS: 4) PROPOSALS FOR INCLUSION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) BUDGET Various potential CIP proposals were discussed. 5) SUBCOMMITTEE GOALS – Joe will meet with each of the Subcommittees to review goals and to adjust the scope to what can be achieved in 2011-2012. OLD BUSINESS: 6) NKCDP Subcommittee Reports September 6 meeting - The Planning Director extended the deadline Growth Management: for consideration of the Harrison subdivision variance request and revised subdivision map. Subcommittee members will report community affiliations to determine extent of community outreach. The subcommittee reviewed and approved Jim Sargent’s Hawi B&B as currently submitted. September 7 meeting - Updates on Ranch at Puakea. Kauhola Lighthouse, Public Access: Hoea Flats and Upolu Airport area. New Items included - NPS Ala Kahakai has started mapping Ahupua'a with family lineages, which will help with cultural preservations and archeological surveys. Hale O’ Kaili Heiau has been vandalized. Vandals moved boulders and cut the fence and fence post. The next meeting is Wednesday October 5, 4:30pm at the Old Courthouse. August 30 meeting. Park Management Project - An application was Infrastructure A: submitted and approved by the North Kohala Community Resource Center (NKCRC) for a nonprofit park program titled North Kohala Park Management Program with a motto of “Caring for Our Parks”. Two representatives from the Department of Water Supply (DWS) attended the meeting to begin working together on the potable water issues identified within the CDP. An overview was presented on how the department works, water quality, the timeline for the Halaula well and the steps of the improvement district process. The discussion included the repair and replacement of aging waterlines, water meters and spaghetti lines, with a focus on spaghetti line issues. DWS responsibility runs to the meter. The subcommittee will assume the initial steps of assessing the need, evaluating how many people are affected, and designating a connected area with defined boundaries and infrastructure. The subcommittee will look into mapping the meter clustering situation in the designated district and then seek information about CIP and alternative funding for waterline improvement. The next meeting is scheduled for October 6 at 9 a.m. View plane Protection - The Kohala Scenic Byway committee held a public Infrastructure B: meeting on August 10 at the high school cafeteria to provide information and status of the Byway. Of vital importance to all attendees was maintaining the rural character of the highway, as well as full public involvement in the Byway process. Concerns expressed included the Byway fostering growth in the area, increase in traffic, and the intrusion of government in transportation agencies. Kawaihae meetings during the last month included - Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (DOT) Harbors Division held a public meeting August 29 on the Kawaihae Harbor Master Plan. At the Kawaihae Local Resource Council (KLRC) on September 11, Botanist Jen Lawson discussed native plants for dry land areas. Electric reliability - To create a more reliable electric loop system for the North Kohala district, HELCO's study proposes the existing 69 KV overhead transmission line to HELCO's Waika Substation in lower Kohala Estates be extended with a new 34 KV line running up to the Kohala Mountain Road, then alongside the existing Hawi 34 KV line as far as Pu'uhue, branching off down Honoipu Road to Mahukona, and connecting with Hawi and Kapaau. As called for by CDP Strategy 4.7, the subcommittee will search for the lowest impact route. Catholic Charity - Housing concern is the priority, with land as the main Affordable Housing: issue. Looking at landowners in general support for land needed to meet affordable housing goals. A workshop on Habitat Qualification was presented on September 15. No communication was received from Hawaiian Home Lands and Parker Ranch on housing at the old Loran Station. Farm dwellings built on agricultural land could provide produce in support of community sustainability efforts like the Food Bank. Self-Help - project is on the ground, with the contractor marking out the location for new homes to be built on the prospective lots. Property / Land Issue - the subcommittee is looking at a couple of sites, on behalf of housing concerns. To do this project, land must be available to move forward. The sites are - Ainakea Harrison property, Iole New Moon Foundation, Kahei State Land. Partnership / Housing Program - Solicit the North Kohala Community Resource Center In partnership, for 501c3 status, in support of a Community Housing Program. The next subcommittee meeting is September 19 at 4:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Met the morning of the AC meeting, and discussed moving ahead on the strategic Agriculture: plan to achieve 50% food self sufficiency. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none ANNOUNCEMENTS: none NEXT MEETING: Date: Monday, October 10, 2011 Place: North Kohala Senior Center Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Agenda: Redistricting Report Land Use Permit Activity Report Subcommittee Goals and Work plans Implementation of the NKCDP Open Ocean Aquaculture Subcommittee Reports ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved by Giovanna, seconded by Hermann, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 6:19 p.m.