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Home My WebLink About2016-14 PD-AC Response to June 9 AC LetterWilliam P. Kenoi Mavor West Hawaii Office 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Phone(808)323-4770 Fax (808) 327-3563 June 9, 2016 County of Hawaii PLANNING DEPARTMENT Mr. Larry Brown, Chair and Members of the Puna CDP Action Committee 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mr. Brown and Members of the Puna CDP Action Committee: Communication No. 2016-14 Duane Kanuha Director Joaquin Gamiao-Kunkel Deputy Dinvor East Hawaii Office 101 Pauaht Street, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phone (808) 961-8288 Fax (808) 961-8742 SUBJECT: Planning Consultant for the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan and Wastewater Treatment Study re: AC Letter Dated May 10, 2016 Thank you for your letter dated May 10, 2016 requesting an update on the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan and Wastewater Treatment Study. The Administration appreciates the insights of the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee (PCDP AC) and acknowledges the hard work and commitment of the Committee. We feel that the PCDP AC has been an effective partner with the County of Hawaii, and together we have accomplished many PCDP implementation items. The progress of implementing the PCDP is documented in the annual reports which are located at the following website: h ://www.hawaiicount cd .info/ una-cd /im lementation/action- committee-progress-rJoorts. Here are just a few of the action items that have been implemented through Committee and County collaboration: PCDP Actions 2.1.3 a. • Pahoa Village Design Guidelines adopted by resolution; and • Amendments to Chapters 3 (Sign Code) and 25 (Zoning Code) to provide for: 1) establishment of the Pahoa Design District; 2) procedures for project review against the adopted design guidelines; and 3) special sign regulations for the Pahoa Design District. PCDP Action 2.3.3 • Kapoho Wastewater Feasibility Study. PCDP Actions 3.5.3 b. & c. • Playground equipment installed at Mt.. View Community Park, Improvements to A J. Watt Gym (Mt. View),- Hawaiian iew);Hawaiian Beaches Park Ball Field Expansion; • Improvements to Isaac Hale Beach Park; www.cohplanninEdept;com Hawat i County is an Equal Opportunity Provide rand Emplover r1gnningahpwajicoungy.jzav Mr. Brown, PCDP AC Chair June 9, 2016 Page 2 • PONC acquisition of land at Pohoiki Bay; and • Pahoa Park Expansion (in progress). PCDP Actions 4.2.3 a. & k. • Development of a Transit Master Plan (in progress); • Bus routes that include Hawaiian Paradise Park and Leilani Estates; and • Bus service to the airports. PCDP Action 4.5.3 c. • New bus stop shelters. The County of Hawaii has spent millions of dollars on infrastructure and services for the Puna community in recent years. Below is a list of just a few of the many projects in Puna that the County has invested in. • $22,900,000 — Pahoa Regional Park (in progress); • $9,900,000 — Pahoa Fire Station & Police Station; and • $6,000,000 — Puna Road Improvements. Furthermore, the County of Hawai`i's commitment to the Puna community is evidenced by the $92 million in appropriations and $44 million in allotments listed in the current CIP status report (March, 2016). We understand the need for the Pahoa Plan and the Administration is not opposed to developing a Pahoa Plan, but as explained in the June 6, 2015 letter to the AC, the Planning and Environmental Management Departments are not in a position to manage an additional contract at this time. The current capital budget has appropriations for the Pahoa Plan and Pahoa Sewer Feasibility Study. Additionally, Ordinance 2014-11 authorizes funds for both the Plan and the Sewer Feasibility Study which will be available when either Department is able to manage the contract. In the interim, we look forward to continued collaboration with the PCDP AC on the numerous action items in the PCDP. Thank you, l 2� DUANE KANUHA Planning Director Cc: William P. Kenoi, Mayor Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, District 3 Council Member Greggor Ilagan, District 4 Council Member Daniel K. Paleka, Jr., District 5 Council Member Maile David, District 6 Council Member