Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaikoloa Report - letter 052815South Kohala Community Turns Out to Comment on the County General Plan On Friday, May 15, several Waikoloa community organizations co-sponsored an opportunity for South Kohala residents to share ideas, insights, and viewpoints related to the County Planning Department’s revision of the General Plan. Organizers were pleased with the number of interested participants from all South Kohala communities: Waikoloa, Puako, Kawaihae, and Waimea. Held at Waikoloa School’s cafeteria, approximately 115 people turned out to give their input. Long-time community activist Lisa Yee was the MC and started by welcoming County Councilwoman Margaret Wille. Wille gave background information for the meeting. Hawaii County initiated the General Plan as a process for the whole island in the mid-60s and adopted the first plan in 1971. Most recent plan was adopted in 2005 and is now in the process of being updated. General planning categories include Economics, Energy, Environmental Quality, Flooding/Natural Hazards, Historic Sites, Natural Beauty, Natural Resources, Housing, Public Facilities, Public Utilities, Recreation, Transportation, and Land Use. The General Plan also established a process by which the broad county-wide goals could be made more real for each local area via Community Development Plans. Wille encouraged participants to dream big during this evening’s process. She also gave information on upcoming meeting dates for budget and transportation, additional opportunities for public input. Yee then introduced Ruth Smith, who served a sthe process facilitator for community input. Smith, a 30 year resident of the Big Island and DOE Educational Special in West Hawaii, served on the South Kohala Community Development Plan’s Steering Committee (2007-2008). With visual overheads and handouts, Smith linked the General Plan with the SKCDP adopted in November 2008. Five key priorities were identified in the SKCDP: Affordable Housing, Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, Emergency Preparedness, Preservation of Culture and Sense of Place, and Traffic and Transportation. The audience was asked to reflect on this question: What you want to see in S. Kohala over the next ten years? What do you want for our community, our families, yourself? What categories in the General Plan matter to you most? Participants recorded their reflections one-by-one on post-it notes. The crowd then broke down into smaller groups where they had an opportunity to “share and compare.” Once all of the ideas were posted and discussed, each group member was given 3 “votes” for their top priority from all their smaller group had generated. Returning to the whole group, representatives shared out their groups highest priorities, as indicated by the clusters of sticker-votes. There were many commonalities and reiterations of the priorities established in the SKCDP, plus some new items and ideas. For example, a second paved access road in and out of Waikoloa remains a high priority under the categories of “transportation” and “emergency readiness.” Waikoloa’s Action Committee Representative John Mueller will be collating the feedback into a report to the Planning Department by June 6, 2015. Those interested in receiving this report can request a copy from John at johnmueller@me.com. A BIG MAHALO to the many participants for their support, time, and efforts on a Friday night! Mahalo to the Waikoloa Community Development Corp, Friends of the Library, WaikoloaVillage Association, and Waikoloa Seniors for their co-sponsorship of this meeting. And a special thanks to Lisa Yee, Stephanie Stearns, Mike Price, Bill Simonsma , Dave Hirt, Pete Hoffmann, Sharon Morris, Betty Greene, & Ruth Smith for their volunteer work on the community’s behalf. South Kohala Community Development Plan Priorities/Hawaii County General Plan Categories Graphic of General Plan Sections Report to the Hawaii County Planning Department regarding input to the General Plan May 2015 South Kohala CDP Action Committee Waikoloa Village community residents and residents of other South Kohala communities attended a May 15th Talk Story for the express purpose of gathering input for updating the Hawaii County General Plan. Using the policies of the South Kohala Development Plan and the main elements of the General Plan, 6 groups offered input regarding “Sense of Place”, “Affordable Housing”, “Emergency Preparedness”, “Traffic and Transportation”, and “Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability”. While community members had many and varied suggestions, there is significant agreement on some of the items. Items identified 5 or more time are included on the following chart and more than 65 topics mentioned fewer than 5 times each are not included in the chart. A complete chart is available. Approximately 115 residents attended the Talk Story but there is no exact number of participants who shared input. Note: Under Affordable Housing no items totaled 5 or more times. Sense of Place TOTAL Community Center Complex 21 Commercial Development 19 Walking/hiking trails/paths 13 Hawaiian Culture 5 Emergency Preparedness TOTAL Emergency Preparedness Plans 6 Health Facilities/Urgent Care 5 Traffic and Transportation TOTAL Second Access/Egress Road 20 Road Maintenance 20 Extend Paniolo to Kawaihae ByPass 16 Access/EgressRoad (EmergencyPreparedness) 13 Intersection at Paniolo/Waikoloa Road 11 Create better low cost public Transportation 5 Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability TOTAL Zero waste, compost, green waste, transfer 13 More solar energy, large scale solar 11 Wind Power in Waikoloa 7 Comprehensive Waste Plan and recycling at curb 7 Expand alternative energy 5 Sense of Place: The most shared input by participants reflected a desire to have a community center, fitness center, or an emergency center for a gathering place for all community members. A community center complex was suggested a number of times and could be designed to meet the needs of all three centers. Many responses regarding commercial development were general like more commercial development or more shops to those responses which specifically listing “hardware store” or naming “Target”. Walking/hiking/biking trails and paths were also important to the Talk Story participants. It appears that while physical activity is important in creating the trails and paths, safety for bikers, walkers and runners is a major concern with the respondents. Affordable Housing: The fewest number of total responses were received for this category and no one topic received 5 or more. Emergency Preparedness: Although participants identified access-egress- emergency roads with regard to Emergency Preparedness, the 13 responses in this category were added to Transit and Transportation. Emergency preparedness plans and health concerns had 6 and 5 responses respectively. Traffic and Transportation: 20 responses discussed the need for a second access/egress road from Waikoloa Village and 13 responses shared that same need for access/egress road for emergencies which might occur in the village or the surrounding communities. Participants shared the need for road maintenance - 20, Kawaihae Bypass - 16, traffic control at Waikoloa Road and Paniolo Avenue - 13, and improved low cost public transportation - 5. Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability: Talk Story participants have concern for our environment. Many responses shared the need to reduce waste in landfills, recycle and reuse as much waste as possible. Zero waste appeared a number of times. Alternative energy, solar and wind power are high priorities for participants. Data compiled and report written by John Mueller, South Kohala Community Development Plan Action Committee. General Plan Input - Participant Responses Talk Story at Waikoloa Community School May 15, 2015 Sense of Place Commercial Development Promote zoning and neighborhood planning to provide adequate commercial space and a coherent neighborhood plan for streets, sidewalks, and trails Better and more varied shopping experiences Develop commercial center for South Kohala More stores - Grocery, gas station, restaurants, clothing Light industrial area New development of individual communities More stores and services - grocery, hardware More restaurants Store likeTarget Expand shopping and small business opportunities more stores and restaurants More stores and restaurants Food truck night market Evening farmers market More retail in Waikoloa - Ace Hardware, restaurants, less expensive place for retailers More shops nearby Limit resort and commercial growth Dog park (3times) Open stables Activities and facilities for young people in Waikoloa Village. Everyone belonging to Neighborhood Watch We should have beautiful spaces that encourage "theArts". Encourage all of the arts for all age groups. We need more pride in properties in Waikoloa. Some fines are warranted. Slower growth - preserve the village "feeling" Limit over-development in residential community. Keep community feeling for residents of the island. Stop Sprawl!! Implement urban growth boundaries Community Center Complex Central Kohala public facility in Waimea or Waikoloa off Paniolo extension near turn from bypass Larger public facility for meetings in the community which can double as area for recreational activities Larger meeting/recreation rooms in the Waikoloa area Community Center Complex Community Center Complex for activities for all ages Community center for Waikoloa, also emergency shelter, and multi-purpose: education, youth development, recreation, and community event Community Center Complex Community Center Disaster center usable as community center Disaster shelter Community center/gym facility Community/fitness center for Waikoloa Community center or larger facility in Waikoloa (public facility) Community-based gathering places for recreation and learning Waikoloa community center A large fitness center w/weights, treadmills, etc. Remodeled community center in the park An indoor recreation facility - for gym, basketball court, volleyball court, etc. A fitness center Large exercise room Theater for plays, county meetings, board meetings, musical acts Walking, hiking, trails and paths Walk/bike trails and bike lanes on Waikoloa Rd. Open hiking trails even across large tracts of privateland - White Road trail Increase in park/trails both walking and cycling Walking trails More hiking tails/parkland Hiking trails Walking/running trails More hiking camping areas in preserved natural areas Bike trails Bike land on Waikoloa Rd. all the way to Mamalahoa Hwy. Bike land Waikoloa Rd Bike trails for easier travel, scenic trails with stories of Hawaii/Bid Island on signs Recreation running and bike trails Hawaiian Culture Preserve Hawaiian land - limit commercial and residential development Incorporation native Hawaiian values and language Identify sacred and spiritual places including trails Preserving historic structures and places Preserve/enhance existing cultural and historic sites Library Library with conference room Waikoloa Library Branch library for Waikoloa Village State library High School High school in Waikoloa High School High school Planned location of H.S. Highschool Police 24-hour police station Increased police presence in coordination with neighborhood watch group Improved police presence besides giving out tickets but enforcement of speed limits in and near communities Swimming Pool Swimming pool for whole community County pool in Waikoloa area (Olympic size) Others Improved/expand park facilities Quality technical school in South Kohala Badminton, bocceball, cricket, miniature golf -adult playing field Meaningful part-time job experiences for our young teens, etc. Affordable Housing Senior Housing Affordable housing for seniors Affordable senior housing and facilities within the community- housing-transportation- medical facilities Affordable senior housing Independent Living Help for independent living for seniors. Help seniors stay in their own homes. Dependable help Assisted living arrangements for seniors More housing lots available County should receive more money fromTransient tourist taxes Transient taxes from HI stay in HI Multi family zoning More affordable living for graduating students wanting to stay and start careers on the island but can't afford it Traffic and Transportation Second Access/Egress Road for emergencies and traffic reduction in Waikoloa Second road out of Waikoloa Another exit from Waikoloa Village Complete 2nd road into and out of Waikoloa Village More real roads out of Waikoloa A second paved road to Queen K for emergencies and access. Get a 2nd paved road out of the Village Second paved exit from Waikoloa Village Another paved and always open road out of Waikoloa Village Another permanent access out of Waikoloa Village 2nd road in/out of Waikoloa Village that's a two-way road open 24hrs. a day, 7 days a week Paved road to exit Waikoloa in case of fire Emergency exits/roads Maintain fire road (HuluSt.) currently un-travelable Build a second emergency access road Pave and use emergency road to beach and as 2nd road out Paved, unlocked emergency access roads Emergency road paved Open and pave fire road to Queen K Hwy. Paving Waikoloa emergency exit road Paved secondary road for emergencies or general use Pave Waikoloa fire exit Improve the emergency exit road from Waikoloa Village to highway Open Paniolo down to Mauna Lani Hulu Puako connecter road Get a paved road in/out of Waikoloa from the world's largest cul-de-sac Paved additional road out o fWaikoloa Village when there is a fire More than one emergency exit road in case of fire - no exit for the upper most area of the village Paved access and egress Pave road from Waikoloa Village to main Highway - fire safety Waimea bypas sroad to harbor Another road out of Waikoloa by skate park toward Waimea Extension of Paniolo to Kawaihae bypass Additional paved road out of Waikoloa (Hulu to lower highway) Build a road connecting Waikoloa to Kawaihae Road Paniolo needs to be a complete street from Waikoloa to Kawaihae Rd as promised in the 70's Paniolo Blvd. needs to be extended to Kawaihae Rd. (bypass) as designed in 70's Paniolo Blvd. needs to go to Kawaihae Rd as originally planned in the late 60s to early 70s Paniolo needs to be a "complete street" from Waikoloa to Kawaihae Rd (Bypass) as promised in 70s Paniolo Rd needs o be extended as a "complete street" (bike land, sidewalk, 4 lanes, shoulders, etc. to Kawaihae Rd (Bypass) as promised in 70s Connect Paniolo to Kawaihae Rd. Complete Waimea-Kawaihae Bypass Kawaihae Bypass Road so there is another way to get into and out of Waikoloa Village Road from the Village to Kawaihae Road Pave the emergency road and open permanently Kawaihae Bypass with turn-off toward Waikoloa and turn-off to Mamalahoa near Waimea as major road to connect to Saddle Road Waikoloa Rd connect or to Hulu. Road Maintenance Updating road systems (adding additional roads) fixing and repairing Repair main roads Increased and better roads Resurface Paniolo Rd. Pave Paniolo Repave Waikoloa Rd and Paniolo Avenue Road maintenance and upgrade Fix roads in Waikoloa Village Fund and maintain safe vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian roads and sidewalks Bike lanes-Waikoloa Road widening Widen Waikoloa Rd to 4 lanes with bike zone shoulder Paved shoulders on Waikoloa Rd. Paved shoulders on Waikoloa Rd for bicycles Designated bicycle paths rather than having bicyclists ride on shoulders - particularly Waikoloa Road Safe Waikoloa Road for cars and bicycles (paved shoulders) (traffic signal at Paniolo Ave. Side walks on all streets of Waikoloa ADA compliant Safer, better sidewalks and streets Sidewalks for safety 2 lanes both ways on Hwy Increased and better roads and sidewalks Complete Streets & boulevards Intersection of Paniolo and Waikoloa Traffic control at Paniolo and Waikoloa intersection Safe way to either exit main intersection of Waikoloa Rd and Paniolo Avenue Lights at corner of Paniolo and Waikoloa Road Traffic lights at Waikoloa and Paniolo Stop light at Paniolo and Waikoloa intersection Traffic light and Paniolo and Waikoloa Rd. definitely not a roundabout Traffic light at Waikoloa Rd./Paniolo intersection Traffic signal at Waikoloa Rd. and Paniolo Avenue Signal a tour intersection Install roundabout on Waikoloa and Paniolo intersection Traffic circle Waikoloa Road and Paniolo Ave. Mass Transit Good public transit Improve mass transit Better massive transit options for Waikoloa transportation. Better public transportation - Buses on a regular schedule Full public transportation connecting to entire island and to and from airport More busing to Waimea and the coast Regional transit hub in Waimea with sub-hubs in Waikoloa, N. Kohala and Kawaihae (part of master plan) More reliable public transportation to beaches and buses on time to Waimea Schools Improve mass transit (bus) from Waikoloa/Kohala/Resort areas to airport Create low cost public transportation Reasonable priced public (short haul) transportation More Transit - Better bus service - More diverse options on transit - Rail? Smart Growth & transit oriented development Other Easy beach access for all Smaller (lower0 flow thru to Paniolo Ave in Waikoloa Road Safety (1) Slow down (2) Children at play (3) More speed limit signs Less vehicle traffic, too many fast vehicles, better traffic control Connector Road from Mamalahoa to Queen K. Hwy between Waikoloa Rd. and Kaiminani Extend Saddle Road Saddle Road extension alignment #5 Road on N. side of village that would connect to Queen K. (2nd entrance/exit) No north exit from Waikoloa Village - Don't want more traffic Plan new roads and streets to eliminate speeding Traffic signal at Paniolo Ave. and Lua Kula Waikoloa Road entire 4 lanes so safe passing slow vehicles Want expanded boat harbors (Puako, Kawaihae) High-speed rail from Kawaihae to Kona Emergency Preparedness Better plan for fire prevention and facility to fight fires Create sustainable and effective hazard plans (fire, tsunami, hurricane) Fire protection plan Emergency preparedness for homeowners Need more focus on disaster and emergency preparedness! Many isolated communities! For fresh water supply during emergencies wells should have solar/windpower that will operate wells during power outage Urgent care facility Local access to health care Better health facilities-hospitals Urgent care unit 24/7 Health Care & access to specialists Medical economic Assistance for seniors Increase number of people on community emergency response team (CERT) Have more fire wise and wild fire education teams Develop green belt/playing field for fire break on mauka windward boundary of Waikoloa at minimum Create and maintain a large firebreak around Waikoloa Village Wild fire prevention More efficient Ham Radio for Waikoloa CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Keep WVA empty lots free of fire fuels Implement green belts & preserve open space Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Waste Zero waste initiatives Zero waste Zero waste Zero waste composting recycling Green waste recycling Green waste disposal Large compost area Waste recycling at curb Away to implement hauling and congregating green waste Recycling An easy to follow and support recycle program Recycle program More recycling for metal, paper Comprehensive plan for recycling, landfill management Curbside recycling Reduce amount of waste to landfill More days at Puako transfer station. Not enough space there for greenwaste (only1 container) Open Puako transfer station seven days a week Convenient transportation and recycling center in Waikoloa Village Recycle manufacturing - techindustries non-polluting How about a recycling center in the Village? No plastic bottles allowed! Reuse Recycle Plastic bottles or any other item we don't recycle should not be imported to the island - THINK GREEN! Sewage treatment No cesspools, tax incentives to replace cesspools Septic tanks and drainfields that follow CDC standards Develop sewer infrastructure Sewersystem (not septictank, cesspools) for residential areas Non-chemical -preserve water, gray water use. Organic cleaning processes Solar Power More opportunities for residential solar energy Solar power everywhere possible Incentives to switch to solar power energy Solar panels: large scale Solar powered pumps for wells for affordable water Alternative Energy Utilize the enormous energy resource available to make our island self-sustainable in terms of energy (geo-thermal, solar, wind) wave, etc. Want sustainable food and energy production- will create jobs and sustain us Reduce dependence on imported oil by expanding alternative energy sources No fossil fuels, photovoltaic, underground utilities Renewable energy sources Alternative energy -wind, solar, wave, water, safe geo-thermal Develop alternative energy in homes and businesses wind, solar etc. Find and use more alternate energy sources Create/enhance alternative energy sources Wind power Waikoloa has wind. We need electrical windmills Be energy efficient/sustainable environmentally GREEN! Independent LEEDS certified new builds All building permit/business or residential should include a mandatory solar and photovoltaic systems New street lamps or skirts Fewer street lights! Cut use of electricity and lessen light pollution Less offensive street lights LED Streetlights (like Hilo & Waimea)-saves energy-less light pollution No geothermal fracking in S. Kohala Establish open space around all communities Support for small farmers to move toward sustainability of food sources on island Preserving endangered trees Stables and area publicly accessible - wildlife preserve - theatre (cinema, performing arts) Items that are made on Big Island to make them recyclable and have a large label making it clear it's RECYCLABLE! More electric vehicle hook-ups Smartcars, electric vehicles, no new development without infrastructure, high quality public transportation, new Kawaihae Road. Outliers: Want slacker hunting regulations. On invasive species (goats, pigs, turkeys, etc.) Want shooting/target practice range (police and hunters need this.) Everyone belonging to Neighborhood Watch More youth/college student programs to help up & coming generations unite and begin to build good, healthy community Bridge Builder" multicultural events to include all minorities in South Kohala Professional credentials for county employees Better ethics practices for county employees Privatize the Waikoloa golf course Be able to view the ocean while traveling o nQueen K Hwy. Not blocked by berms like on Maui High speed internet service at reasonable cost For the whole island to go back to a designation like Orchid Island Cultural (Heritage) or Volcano Island) Missing from the General Plan: re: •food supply from mainland •other items from mainland Energy supply from mainland Missing from the General Plan Categories. Local Sustainability •Food supply •Water supply depends of energy)•Energy supply •Local jobs that don't depend on tourism Economy •Local Processing Industry •Agriculture Industry (e.g. 3d printing for manufacturing •Infrastructure •machineshops, Instandcontrols What about at the State level? What do we need from Oahu or Maui? What can we provide to Oahu or Maui? Clean out storm drains on Haena St., Haia St. and Ele'ele St. Restrict helicopter tourism The thirty metertelescope must be built for economic reasons (jobs) and learning for future generations Transportation - A professional prepared transportation plan including forecast traffic volume, capacity requirements, commute patterns, etc. •be consistent without changing the plan every two years •be diligent in implementing the plan without wasting time and money such as widening of Honokohau to airport •publish and promote