HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-14 NKCDP Minutes Final
NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING
HAWAI`I COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
MEETING DATENovember 14, 2011
TIME 4:35 PM
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,
Giovanna Gherardi, Collin Kaholo
Excused: Ron Friman, Richard Liebmann, Bob Martin
Planning Department: Planning Director BJ Leithead Todd
Public Attendance: Frank Cipriani, Jesse Wells, Sarah Pule-Fujii, Roberta Gavin, John Winter,
Toni Withington, Deborah Winter, Megan Solis, Jesus Solis, Joyleen Alfiler, Margaret Wille,
Karen Martinez, Michael Maria, O. Lum, Stephanie Naihe Laxton, Denise Nekrash, Michelle
Rae, April Lee, Edie Crawford, Patrick Sullivan, Nelson Crawford, Susan Laughlin
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:Toni Withington suggested the AC address the issues,
problems and concerns of a different area each month. People are more engaged with their
own neighborhoods, which will make the AC meetings more relevant. Margaret Wille
expressed interest in access, capital improvements, agriculture, and preservation areas. Sarah
Pule-Fujii is seeking State de-designation of the scenic byway. Patrick Sullivan recommended
requiring aquaculture corporations to post a bond for environmental damage. April Lee
reported that hydrogen peroxide in large quantities is being used in Kona fish farms to treat
fungus.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The minutes of meetings on September 12 and October 10 were not yet available. Joe asked
for aid from the community for help with the minutes, as it is harder for an AC member to
participate if also taking notes.
NEW BUSINESS:
1)
OPEN OCEAN AQUACULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE - The AC discussed a proposed letter
to the Planning Director. Collin moved to send the letter, Giovanna seconded, and the motion
was unanimously passed.
2)
PROPOSALS FOR INCLUSION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) 2012-2013
BUDGET CIP priorities include restrooms at Mahukona.
OLD BUSINESS:
3) NKCDP Subcommittee Reports
a. Growth Management: Meeting November 7. Reviewed two additional farm dwelling
applications. Discussed problems with the additional farm dwelling permit process. Many
non-permitted additional farm dwelling units in Kohala. Recommendations to County and State
officials to review these laws and policies. Next meeting is Monday December 5, from 6 to 7
p.m. at Suretys office in Hawi.
b. Access: Meeting November 2. Updates on the Kauhola Lighthouse easement from
Akoni Pule Hwy makai to Kauhola Lighthouse. North Coast LLC (Hoea Flats area) Access
parking on east side of Upolu Airport. Kamehameha Schools Trail easements; Coast Guard
Road; Upolu Airport area restoration; Stewardship non-profit. Next meeting December 7, at
4:30 p.m. in the Old Courthouse.
c. Infrastructure A: Meeting November 3. Looking at lessons to be learned from scenic
byways, the subcommittee recommended the AC improve communications by talking with
people about issues one neighborhood at a time. The Parks Management non-profit will look at
the Adopt a Park program for ideas to manage our district parks. Various funding methods
were discussed to pay for the community-initiated upgrades at Mahukona and Kapa'a parks.
Work has begun on identifying water delivery problems. Next meeting is December 2, from 9 to
11 a.m. at the Sunday School Room.
d. Infrastructure B: View plane Protection - The ad hoc Kohala Scenic Byway Committee
announced November 9 that it will not pursue participation in the State byways program any
further & has abandoned the project. The View plane Protection subcommittee will continue to
search for ways to implement CDP Strategy 1.9 Establish a View Plane Protection Program to
identify and protect areas of significant beauty along the Kohala Mountain Road and Akoni-Pule
Highway corridor. Electricity Redundancy and Reliability - A large map showing HELCO's
proposed transmission line loop is being developed by the subcommittee to show the existing
and proposed portions of the loop, and how the route might coordinate with geothermal power
transmission to Oahu in the event submarine cable development advances to allow cables at
the 6100 foot depth of Alenuihaha Channel.
e. Affordable Housing: Catholic Charity is looking for property for affordable housing.
Self-help Kumakua Phase II is underway. Meeting October 20 in Hilo with County Housing
specialist Jeremy McComber on housing needs and what is needed to get a project started. A
meeting with Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii Director Patrick Hurney is being scheduled.
Collin posed the question - does affordable housing need sidewalks and so many streetlights.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Karen Martinez and Susan Laughlin expressed concern
the AC letter on open ocean aquaculture is not strong enough. BJ explained the County
jurisdiction ends at the shoreline. Upon receipt of the AC letter, BJ will write to the State
Department of Land and Natural Resources stating the Kohala community's concerns.
Michelle Rae questioned the transmission lines for both the proposed electricity loop and the
potential transmission of geothermal power to Oahu, as well as the use of energy from the wind
farm. Margaret Wille asked for subcommittee reports to be posted outside the Senior Center.
Denise Nekrash commented the community wants to get involved and to know what is going on.
Frank Cipriani stated for the community to have informed input, it is most effective to join the
subcommittees.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: AC applicants will be interviewed this week.
NEXT MEETING:
Date: Monday, December 12, 2011
Place: North Kohala Senior Center
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Agenda:
Recruitment of NKCDP AC Members
Land use permit activity report
Community notification of meetings
Proposals for inclusion in Capital Improvement Project Budget
Subcommittee reports
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved by Giovanna, seconded by
Hermann, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m.