HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 22, 2016 FINAL SC MinutesWilliam P. Kenoi
Mayor
Duane Kanuha
Director
Joaquin Gainiao-Kunkle
Deputy Director
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
HAMAKUA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
Saturday, October 22, M6
Meeting Minutes
All documents referred to in the minutes are available on the CDP Website http://www.hawaiicountvcdp.info/hamakua-
cd p/steeri ng-committee/steeri ng-committee-meeti ngs/2016/october-22-2016
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Vice Chairperson Farrah -Marie Gomes called the Hamakua Community Development Plan (HCDP)
Steering Committee to order at 1:43p.m. at the North Hawai'i Education and Research Center - Room
204, Honoka'a.
11011wo2119
Members Present: Brad Kurokawa, Farrah -Marie Gomes, Glenn Carvalho, Lorraine Mendoza, Jason
Moniz, Craig Neff, and Ka'iulani Pahi'o.
Members Absent: Scott Enright.
Staff: LeAna Gloor— Hamakua CDP Planner, Ron Whitmore — COH Senior Planner, Keiko Mercado —
Hamakua CDP Planning Assistant, Bob Agres — Hawai'i Alliance for Community -Based Economic
Development (HACBED).
Members of the public: 28
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
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Ms. Gomes provided a brief overview of the purpose and scope of the CDP, Steering Committee roles
and responsibilities, meeting overview, and Aloha Etiquette.
Based on the amount of testimony received during the first testimony period at the last meeting, Ms.
Gomes asked Steering Committee members if they would consider adding a third opportunity for
testimony prior to business item #3. Following discussion, the Steering Committee agreed this would
be beneficial for both testifiers and Steering Committee members.
Mr. Neff moved to odd o period of testimony between business items #2 and #3 to the agenda. Second
by Mr. Carvalho. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Page I 1
Ms. Gomes ended the meeting overview portion of the meeting by covering public testimony
protocols.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
There were eight written testimonies submitted.
1. James Weldon —9.29.16
2. James Weldon —10.10.16
3. John Kaye —10.20.16
4. Marissa Harman, Kamehameha Schools — 10.21.16
5. Susan Forbes —10.21.16
6. Michael Johnson —10.22.16
7. Richard and Faith Jones —10.22.16
8. Ken Forbes —10.22.16
Written testimony submitted to Steering Committee members can be viewed and downloaded in its entirety from the
following website: http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/hamakua-cdp/steering-committee/steering-committee-
meeti ngs/2016/october-22-2016/october-22-2016-written-testimony
There were five people who signed up to testify.
[Please note that all testimony has been recorded exactly as presented.]
1. James Weldon, representing himself providing testimony on Property Designations: Good
afternoon, Madam Chairman, fellow Committee Members. My name is James R. Weldon,
otherwise known as Jim. I live at 35-2120 Hawaii Belt Road. That's directly makai of the
Laupdhoehoe swimming pool. I've lived therefor the last twenty-two years and I have quite a
stake in Laupdhoehoe and Hdmdkua Coast. It goes back financially to the mid -50's, or I'm sorry,
mid -80's, at which time I donated a computer system and most of the services for the
Laupdhoehoe Library System, working with Bart Cain, the State Librarian to internet and tie in
with the rest of the Library Systems in the State, that particular library as well as Honoka'a, with
the State Library System. Subsequently, about two or three years later, I also contributed major
computer systems and software to a company, fledging company at that time by the name of
Verifone in Laupdhoehoe where they started the business and today, it is, as some of you may
know, an International Fortune 500 Company. If you've ever processed one of your credit cards,
you have probably used one of their machines. Consequently, there was a lot of high-tech
developed out of that and it was subsequently moved over to Silicon Valley. Time passed, I was
able to finally get a well-earned retirement, I think. My wife and I chose to move to
Laupdhoehoe. Why? Because obviously the wonderful people here, the environment here and
the opportunity to live on a place similar to where, the way we grew up actually on a small
farm. A compelling reason for buying this particular property was it has 6.3 acres and
macadamia nuts, was a very young orchard at that time. It only had about four years of age.
It's now I might add about twenty-seven years old, very healthy and quite candidly provides
macadamia nuts for folks up in this community here. Specifically why I'm here today is to
request the Committee to take another look at their preliminary decisions for the categorization
of the property because I think the last decision was made with — without all full facts and
knowledge of the — the associated circumstances. What I'm referring to is, the property in your
preliminary decision was given the designation Open for all the property and I respectfully
request you reconsider that and assign the macadamia nut portion, the orchard, an Agricultural
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rating and the other half, the Open. Now we've agreed, my wife and I to do this after much
discussion and constructive input from Ms. Gloor and that reinforces my written communication
to the Committee. Time? Okay. There are five other pieces of property organized the way I
requested the Committee to do ours. Thank you very much.
2. Michael Johnson, representing Ono Gardens on the agenda item of Hakalau Point: Hi, my
name is Michael Johnson and I thank the Committee for their time and their value and
considering all the public's points of view on all these topics. Today, I'm talking about Hakalau
Point 3 Option 4C to leave blank with no CDP recommendation for these parcels of land. And
I've been — have an ongoing survey and petition that says the same thing and we all, 52 of us
that have signed this so far, wish for this option, Option 4C, leave it blank, with no CDP
recommendation. We've had 24 people from Hakalau, 11 from Hdmdkua Coast, 17 more from
around the island. Twenty-four of these people are farmers and more and more farmers and
farm -related economically people want to see this land remain industrial because it represents
opportunity for the economy, opportunity for the economy for good paying jobs and opportunity
for a lot of us farmers to not have to go to Hilo for our services. We can go right to Hakalau. I
live in Hakalau myself. Then, breaking it down further, 10 of these people wanted ag food
processing and a commercial kitchen. Eight of them wanted to see it just remain industrial for
different reasons and 14 of them wanted either an agricultural park or ag tourism, brewery, a
restaurant and demo —farm demonstrations, food demonstrations, interpretive demonstrations
for Hawaiian plants also. So, this whole thing is gathering a lot of interest in the community and
there's a lot of points of view that can all come together to make this land a great opportunity
to give our coast here — our Hdmdkua Coast a boost, economically which is what we all really
need. Everybody wanted a — good paying jobs. So, I've turned in the petition thus far with 52
names on it and for further review and I'm still just getting started. There's a lot of people that I
haven't talked to. It's getting easier and easier to talk to on this topic and get people to sign the
petition. Okay. Thank you.
3. John Kaye, representing himself on the agenda item of Hakalau Point: Hi, I've spoken on this
issue several times and I did send a written testimony in advance and I hope you have that so
I'm not going to dwell on that a lot. I just want to point out what I think is really important in
terms of the Steering Committee and why we're all here today and the purpose of the Steering
Committee is to make land use recommendations and I believe those recommendations then go
to the Planning Department. The Planning Department then reviews them, tests them for legal
sufficiency to see if it's — if everything's ok and then, they make their decisions. I don't think
that the — that the Steering Committee has the ultimate decision on any land use designation at
this point. The other thing that I would like to point out, that is in doing that, my understanding
of the CDP has been that we're looking at a very broad, looking at a very general thing, saying
what do we want to have the Hdmdkua area look like for the next ten years. We are not being
concerned with any particular — particular parcel or property and whether we'd like to see a
carnival on that piece of property for the future, whether we'd like to see a restaurant on that
property for the future, a park on the property for the future, any particular — particular use
because that is a Planning Department function and that is not the Steering Committee's
function. And, one of the reasons I think that's true is that's speculative, it's highly speculative
as to whether you would end up with an ag center on that piece of property or a park on that
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property or anything else and that's the truth. And so therefore, I think when everybody gets up
here and says we want an ag center, we want a slaughterhouse, we want a restaurant, we want
this, that's not the function of the Steering Committee to decide what would be nice on that
spot. I think your job is to look at it overall and I think as you saw in my — in my written
statement, the CDP cries out for Open on that spot. It cries out with the objectives of the CDP, it
cries out with the functions of the CDP, the factors of the CDP, the factors of the General Plan
and then the State Law, the Coastal Management Acts which all say the same thing in different
ways: preserve the coast. Discourage development on the coast. If there is industry, try to
encourage them to move away from the coast. The idea is that, and I think we need to keep
that in mind. Thank you.
4. Valerie Poindexter, representing herself: I'm Valerie Poindexter. I'm not only representing
myself but I — most of you know that I represent District 1 and 1 just wanna talk about overall,
the entire coastline when we talk about —you know, preserving coastline but also making sure
that we take care of our farmers. And I met a lot with our farmers throughout the coastline. In
fact, Mr. — I think the Chin Chuck Road people too, I've helped them get their roads completed
so that we could do better farming and you know, work on the paving there so that they could
get their trucks in and out for farming and he (Dong Guo) sits here today and I — it was you that
I worked with, correct? Yes, so it's — I have a — my goal is to make sure that we are sustainable
throughout the coastline and when we look at throughout the coastline, we look at here at
Hama — NHERC itself which is planning to have a certified kitchen and has been working to
make sure that they also help our farmers during that process. We have Hdmdkua Harvest,
their goals are to have a certified kitchen and they are currently, successfully working with
farmers. In Pa'auilo, we have a certified kitchen there. Through the closure of the sugar
company, we wanted to make sure that we do take care of our farmers and we have a place to
process. And, when Hilo Coast closed, we had the Fuji Bakery which we are currently still
working on to help our farmers out in the Hilo Coast area. So, throughout that coastline, we
have been very successful in making sure that we have places for the farmers. I'd like to go back
to Fuji Bakery and if you know up in that area by Fuji Bakery where the County has their gym,
the State has a property up there. We have been working for this — well, 1 have been for only
the past couple of years but there is a group that has been working it — working with the
administration from Harry Kim's time so it's many years, to make that the food hub and the
area to help farmers to come and process, for other community members to use it for their
foodshare so they could have a certified kitchen there. So, it's making sure that we have it
where the public can easily access and it's in a big area. Like throughout the coastline, most of
you know here about the Hdmdkua Harvest and what's happening and all. So, I say that we
have those already in place and that I would ask the Steering Committee when you make your
decisions to be very mindful that we have had the community, the grassroots level community
working on this for many years so I hope that nobody tries to divert that — their goals and
objectives, which includes not only the farmers but you know, other projects that will meet the
needs of the people on the Hdmdkua Coast. Thank you for your time.
S. Jim Cain, representing himself, speaking on Business Item 1: Aloha mai kakou. My name is Jim
Cain. For the last 30 years, my family and I have been blessed to call Waipi'o Valley our adopted
home. We have been —we farm taro, make poi for our island community. We've also been very
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active in promoting agriculture education and support advocacy for farmers. First of all, thank
everybody on this Committee. I could spend my whole 3 minutes thanking you folks on what a
wonderful job you folks have done and really gathering so much mana'o from —from our
district. A couple things I just really wanted to touch on real quick and that was to follow up
with Councilwoman Poindexter on agriculture, specifically Section 6.18 Develop increased
capacity for County level agricultural specialist. I'd like to see that change to: Develop a County -
based Department of Agriculture and really get specific on this so that we can really make sure
that the resources are — hit the ground at the local level and there's so much more that we can
be doing to be supporting our farmers. A lot of collaboration has been going on but I think the
County can really step up and play a — a really important role 'cause they're the ones we have
the most access to and — and so I'd like to see that. And then another item, you know, building
a sustainable local economy, I was kinda spurred to come here today because of some
developments within the current County Council, in particular with ag tourism and a current Bill
#227 that's pretty much promoting tourism in our agriculture and rural communities. The way
the Bill is written, you really don't even have to be a farmer because of the loopholes that are
contained in this to conduct tourism. And to me, it really kinda scares me because of the — you
know, the experience that we've had in Waipi'o Valley and the mixture of tourism and
agriculture, not to say that it cannot work, but a blanket zoning change basically to allow that
type of activity in our rural communities, we really have to be careful with that 'cause it can
potentially cause a lot of problems. So, I'd like to see that addressed in the CDP as well, that tag
tourism can be allowed but there has to be a sufficient safeguards for the community and a
place for the community to be able to voice their concerns and opinions instead of pitting
neighbor against neighbor. And, what I heard at the testimony the other day that the — the
industry will police itself, that's always a dangerous situation. So, you know, again, I'd like to
see that addressed in this — building a sustainable local economy and that we have to address
these issues. Thank you so much.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Moniz identified an error on page 15 of the draft minutes —the motion to maintain the January
2016 Draft CDP agricultural designation for parcel 2-7-003:024 should read "The motion passed with 5
votes aye and 1 vote nay."
Mr. Kurokawa moved to approve the September 28, 2016 draft minutes as amended — reflecting the
edits made on page 15. Second by Ms. Pahi'o. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
BUSINESS:
1. Consideration of Other Proposed Revisions to Draft CDP:
Ms. Gloor introduced the CDP team members and their roles. She outlined the remaining steps
toward CDP adoption, reviewed the format for discussion during the meeting, and went over the
role of the Steering Committee during the review of community input. She asked the Steering
Committee to honor the process that has occurred thus far and to maintain the integrity of the
process moving forward.
Mr. Agres outlined the steps the Steering Committee would follow while going through document
#3.
Page 15
Working from review document #3, the CDP Planning Team facilitated a discussion by the Steering
Committee geared toward preliminary decisions about the following possible revisions to the Draft
CDP:
a. Section 3: Preferred Land Use & Settlement Patterns:
i. Revise Land Use Policy 4: Mr. Kurokawa moved to adopt the revisions for Land
Use Policy 4 as proposed:
Land Use Policy 4:
"In order to preserve larger lot agricultural lands for productive agricultural use,
allow rural development on lands near urban areas where an intermediate land
use between residential and productive agricultural areas is consistent with the
surrounding uses and rural character. This is reflected in the location of "Rural"
(R) areas on the official Land Use Policy Map, which is intended to facilitate
changes of zone to "Residential and Agricultural District" (RA) or the "Family
Agricultural District" (FA).
The intermediate land use between residential and productive agricultural areas
is intended to serve as:
■ A low density area that provides a transitional use buffer area between
strictly residential and commercial productive agriculture areas, and;
■ A mix of personal or family -scale productive commercial or subsistence
aaricultural use on all newly established parcels in the Rural area, and:
■ Parcels having a median size of between 2 — 3 acres but in no case less
than 1 acre in size.
Areas beyond both the Urban Growth Boundary and Rural areas are to be
preserved for agricultural uses, open space, scenic viewsheds, and natural beauty
areas. "
Second by Ms. Mendoza. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
ii. Revise County Action Policy 13 and 14: Mr. Carvalho moved to approve County
Action Policy 13 and County Action Policy 14 revisions as presented.
County Action Policy 13:
"Amend Chapter 25 of the Zoning Code and Chapter 23 of the Subdivision Code
to allow Clustered Rural Subdivisions "Rt r eVe!Opffl t- as an alternative to
Cluster Plan Developments (C. P.D.) Section 25-6-20.
Clustered Rural Subdivisions are intended for areas with rural designations, or
that are de -facto rural areas adjacent to urban zoned areas (whereas Cluster
Plan Developments are intended for single-family RS zoning district). The
Clustered Rural Subdivision provision would not be appropriate if the result
would create compact housing developments on agricultural lands completely
separate from existing urban areas with adequate infrastructure."
Page 16
County Action Policy 14:
"Develop incentives for Cluster Plan Developments and Clustered Rural
Subdivisions in eeestel orthat leave natural, open space buffer areas along
the shoreline, streams, and gulches, or adjacent to forest, or conservation
areas. "
Second by Mr. Neff.
Mr. Kurokawa suggested including "and other environmentally sensitive areas"
to the end of CA Policy 14.
Mr. Carvalho made a friendly amendment to his original motion to include Mr.
Kurokawa's suggested amendment of adding "and other environmentally
sensitive areas" to the end of the first sentence of Policy 14. Second by Mr. Neff.
Additional discussion ensued. Mr. Neff suggested adding "culturally" right
before Mr. Kurokawa's edit so it would read "or other
culturally/environmentally sensitive areas."
Mr. Carvalho made a second friendly amendment to his original motion to
include the suggested amendment of adding "or other culturally/environmentally
sensitive areas" to the end of the first sentence, so County Action Policy 14 would
read:
AMENDED County Action Policy 14:
"Develop incentives for Cluster Plan Developments and Clustered Rural
Subdivisions in eeostoi orthat leave natural, open space buffer areas along
the shoreline, streams, and gulches, or adjacent to forest, conservation areas, or
other culturally/environmentally sensitive areas."
Second by Mr. Neff. The original motion as amended passed with 7 votes aye
and 0 votes nay.
b. Section 4: Protect and Enhance Natural & Cultural Resources:
i. Revise County Action Policy 19: Mr. Carvalho moved to approve County Action
Policy 19 revisions as presented:
County Action Policy 19:
"Amend Planning Department Rule 11 to establish shoreline setbacks for the
Hdmdkua CDP Planning Area at the earliest stages of the land use planning and
development process. The minimum shoreline setback shall be either:
a) A minimum of 40 feet from the top of cliff, in addition to a distance equal
to the average elevation of the top of cliff within the subject parcel; or,
b) A minimum of 40 feet from the top of cliff, in addition to a distance equal
to the anticipated 100 years of erosion as determined by a coastal
erosion study. This study, including a cliff stability analysis and/or a
geological analysis, shall be conducted by a licensed engineer.
Page 17
This policy shall only apply to properties that are located within the Special
Management Area and abutting or within five hundred feet of the shoreline. For
lots created (final subdivision approval or a legal lot of record as determined by
the Planning Department) prior to the date of adoption of the Hdmdkuo CDP
with an average lot depth of two hundred feet or less, the shoreline setback line
shall be a minimum of 40 feet from top of cliff "
Second by Mr. Moniz. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
ii. Revise Community Action 6: After discussion, the Steering Committee decided
not to amend Community Action 6 as it was presented. The language will
remain the same as it appears in the CDP Draft - "Educate residents on scenic
viewshed importance and alternatives to tall, vegetative wind -breaks that
impact viewsheds."
iii. Revise Community Action 11: After discussion, the Steering Committee decided
not to amend Community Action 11 as it was presented. The language will
remain the same as it appears in the CDP Draft — "Document the Mo'olelo of
Hamakua using resources outlined in oral history, hula, chant, and other
sources." The additional proposed language — "Work with Hawai'i Tourism
Authority (HTA) and possibly seek assistance through the County Product
Enrichment Program (CPEP) to develop appropriate cultural signage for moku
and ahupua'a boundaries" will be recorded in the Community Action Guide.
iv. Revise County Action Policy 48: Through discussion Ms. Gomes suggested using
reinstitute rather than develop when talking about a Public Access Sign program
managed by the Planning Department to assist interested community groups in
maintaining appropriate signage at public access points.
Mr. Kurokawa moved to approve County Action Policy 48 as proposed with the
additional amendment suggested by Ms. Gomes.
County Action Policy 48 as amended reads:
Establish a 'County of Hawaii Public Access and Trail Program' with sufficient
staff and resources. Staff will be required to refer to this program in all permit
reviews. Elements of this program could include:
1. A comprehensive access inventory,
2. A public access rating system to help with prioritization;
3. Ensure comprehensive reviews of projects (on public or private lands) that
will affect public accesses and trails.
4. Establish a program to inventory ancient trails, cart roads, and old
government roads in coordination with appropriate State agencies. Ensure
that publicly owned historic trails and roads are properly identified and
consultation occurs to protect the public's interests. (GP 12.3 (n) Highways
Act of 1892)
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5. Identify agencies/groups to develop, administer, and maintain public
accesses, including developing County capacity for this purpose;
6. Identify funding sources to purchase public access easement to priority areas;
7. When public access goals will involve several landowners, acquire the public
access incrementally as opportunities arise to do so,
8. Public accesses that cross private land will be acquired and held until
appropriate management of the accesses is in place,
9. Collaborate with State and Federal agencies on public accesses that require
multi -agency involvement,
10. Develop a standardized template to promote consistency and
comprehensiveness in the public access plans required by of landowners,
11. Partner with community organizations capable of assisting with public access
management;
12. Work with State agencies (particularly with DOFAW) to coordinate, survey,
develop, and manage public trails and roads leading to forest reserves.
13. In co-sponsorship with the State when possible, acquire land for public access
to historic sites and objects and to the shoreline where safe transit does not
already exist.
14. Reinstitute a Public Access Sign program managed by the Planning
Department to assist interested community groups in maintaining
appropriate signage at public access points.
15. Provide cultural and safety information at trailheods.
The above actions can be implemented independently of each other and do not
reflect prioritization by their listing order."
Second by Ms. Pahi'o. Motion passed with 6 votes aye and 1 vote nay (Mr.
Carvalho).
v. New Kokua Action to the National Park Service:
Ms. Mendoza moved to add the New Kokua Action to the National Park Service
as proposed.
New Kokua Action:
Explore expansion of the Ala Kohokoi National Historic Troil in the Homokuo
Planning Area.
Second by Mr. Kurokawa. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
vi. Revise County Action Policy 100: Through discussion it was suggested the third
bullet read "Assess and improve or develop new restroom facilities at the
Waipi'o Lookout to ensure they are adequate for the number of users to the site
and meet hygienic standards for maintenance and cleanliness."
Page 19
Mr. Neff moved to accept revised County Action Policy 100 as proposed with the
addition of "...or develop new..." in the third bullet to read:
County Action Policy 100:
Conduct Park facilities condition assessments and prioritize improvement
funding. Update the "County of Howai'i Recreation Plan: to reflect newly
identified recreational priorities.
Specific needs identified include:
■ Assess court conditions for basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts and
prioritize these improvements (e.g., Hakalau tennis courts, Pepe'ekeo
basketball courts, etc.).
■ Identify parks in need of playground equipment and pavilions.
■ Assess and improve or develop new restroom facilities at the Waipi'o
Lookout to ensure they are adequate for the number of users to the site
and meet hygienic standards for maintenance and cleanliness.
(GP 12.3 (f) & (e))
Second by Ms. Pahi'o. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
c. Section 5: Strengthen Infrastructure, Facilities, and Services: Due to time constraints
this agenda item was not addressed during this meeting.
d. Section 6: Build a Sustainable, Local Economy: Due to time constraints this agenda item
was not addressed during this meeting.
e. Other CDP revisions that merit consideration based on new information presented:
Due to time constraints this agenda item was not addressed during this meeting.
2. Affirmation of Minor Edits to the Draft CDP: Due to time constraints this agenda item was not
addressed during this meeting.
Due to time constraints and to better accommodate many members of the public who were in
attendance specifically for agenda item #3, the Steering Committee discussed moving the agenda item
up.
Mr. Carvalho moved to move business item #3 on the agenda up to immediately follow agenda item
#1b. Second by Mr. Neff. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
As agreed upon at the start of the meeting, the Steering Committee began business item #3 with
public comment. As a reminder for those in attendance, Ms. Gomes covered public comment
protocols before beginning to accept public comment.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
There were nine people who signed up to testify.
1. Susan Forbes, representing Hakalau Point Preservation Association (HPPA), speaking on the
agenda item of Hakalau: Hi, I'm Susan Forbes. /live in Hakalau and thank you for this
opportunity to speak again. I understand this is something like your 27th Steering Committee
hearing so you've heard a lot from a lot of us. Thank you. I'd like to acknowledge that with me
Page 110
today are many of my Hakalau neighbors who have joined us to support preservation of
Hakalau Point and that would be Option 3 on your agenda. Hakalau Point is a prime example of
what Hdmdkua residents have said when they talk about discouraging development on the
coastal bluff. The land sits between a recreational area, the bay and a residential area. It's the
bluff beside Hakalau Bay, precious and environmentally sensitive, not a place for industry, not
anymore. As well, it's a historical place and I want you to consider this status and this history as
a reference point for planning decisions for the future. 1 want to reiterate the historical
significance of the site very briefly. Prior to the days of the Sugar Plantation, Hakalau Point
played a major role in Hawaiian history during the battle of Hakalau. Subsequently, it was the
descendants of Kamehameha I — Kamehameha the Great, who later sold the property to sugar
interest. Hakalau Point is part of the Hakalau historic district. I'm not gonna go into all the
detail of the sugar plantation. Most of the plantation's operations buildings, which were on
Hakalau Point have been removed and little remains of Hakalau town. It's a — it's a residential
area. We do have a poorly maintained former theater that serves as our — as our post office.
So, what remains of historical significance? Well, Hakalau Point is considered a — significant
under multiple criteria for historic preservation under Hawaii Administrative Rules. There are
the two warehouses that are important in terms of their association with the plantation and
they embody distinct characteristics of a period and a type of construction. In addition, the
Korean cemetery is also deemed important because it's — it yields or is likely to yield important
information on research about our history. Of the options available to you today, it's Option 3
that's consistent with the historical significance of the site in terms of its Hawaiian history, the
sugar industry and immigrant history associated with the plantation. The Open designation is
also the option that best fits the scenic beauty and environmental sensitivity of the area. Thank
you again for your consideration of this.
2. Ken Forbes, representing himself, speaking on the agenda item of Hakalau Point: Hi, I'm gonna
try to cut down my remarks here. We've been saying that preservation of this Hakalau Point
land is a very common and even prevailing community viewpoint. We've mentioned several
times of course the Hdmdkua CDP and the discouraging coastal bluff development. I mention as
well though with all of the gathering of information we've done from the community that the
community of Hakalau, and I speak of the place Hakalau not the zip code Hakalau — Hakalau is
almost unanimously in favor of preserving the land from development and if you want the
information about that, we have that for you. So we say that again, all due respect to other
information you're getting, we can say that with some confidence. We have hundreds of — six
hundred total names on petitions from outlying, you know, surrounding communities including
Wailea, Chin Chuck, Honohina, Ninole, Wailea and other places but I can't be as — as confident
characterizing because we can't canvas those — those areas completely so I - I wanna
emphasize that. One more thing that I've heard a long time. You know, I've — I've lived in
Wailea for five years as a kid. My dad was the harvesting superintendent of Hakalau plantation.
He went down to this land that we're talking about every day for— to me, his men were to go to
the meetings,/ know Hakalau. 1-1— but I'm -1 mentioned that there's a competing view here
that I don't agree with so I'd like to respectfully mention yeah. Ok, it's the idea that a vote of
developing this land is —for developing this land beside the bluff beside the bay. There's a vote
for revitalizing Hakalau, that it's a necessary part of making it a town again as it should be. All
due respect to those that really feel that way and they can have their point of view. I don't have
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a problem with that. I don't have that point of view and all those again, in Hokolou don't hove
that point of view. So, 1'11 just leave you with that.
3. Michael Johnson, representing Ono Gardens, speaking to the agenda item of Hakalau Point:
Thank you for this opportunity. What we have is an opportunity here to develop a part of the
Hdmdkua coast. Hakalau has always been in industry. When it was Hawaiian, it was industry.
When it was sugar cane, it was industry since 1876 and once — currently, it's industry. It's
processing food that comes off the land in the Hakalau area in the warehouses there. This is a
farming community. It needs support. It needs zoning support so necessary permits can be
made to revitalize Hakalau so the farmers can have an opportunity to thrive and that is the best
way to ward off uncontrolled development. It seems like there is a problem with development
versus no development in this area and we need smart development encouraged by your vote to
have the industrial. It was said earlier that the CDP Committee should just not consider specifics
about what is being — this land is being used for when I've looked at slides showing the possible
uses of industry in — on this land. And then, it was said in the future that we want this specific
uses next to residential. So, it has been brought up, specific uses for this land. Valerie had
spoken earlier and pointed out that the Hakalau gym was being looked at and proposed for
some of these uses when the gym, I found out, is condemned, would take large amounts of
money to tear it down and remake it. So, we have an opportunity here. We have a — somebody
with some money to put up — to build warehouses out to the way they need to be and build
more warehouses if we need them to process the food that is coming out of the fields in this
area. The County isn't gonna do this. There is no one else that's gonna step up and do this
anywhere else in this area. This is the place and this is the time to do this. So, I — I would hope
for your vote to keep it industrial so we can move forward immediately with these projects.
Thank you.
4. John Kaye, representing himself, speaking on the agenda item of Hakalau Point: Ok, I think the
— the question of what to designate Hakalau Point is not really as difficult as I think as people
are making it. If you'd all just sort of — you know where it is, you know what it looks like — if you
don't, you need to go out and look at it. You go down and you go past the post office and you
keep driving and then finally you come —before you go down to the beach, you found —you —
you look at Hakalau Point. It's right on the ocean and you ask yourself, what should this be
designated under the CDP concept? And then, you look at this wall up here and your answer is
already there. Look at the objectives. As I wrote in the written testimony a couple of days ago,
the written — the CDP already says to you that the most important aspect of the CDP are the
Objectives and you look at Objective number 1: Protect sweeping views and open spaces while
assuring responsible public access for recreational, spiritual, cultural and sustenance practices.
Number 2: Protect and enhance viewscapes and open spaces that exemplify Hdmdkua's rural
character. Objective 4: Protect and nurture Hdmdkua's social and cultural diversity, heritage
assets including sacred places, historic sites and buildings and distinctive plantation towns.
Now, I'm gonna take — you go to the General Plan and you get the same thing. You go to the
coastal —just read the stuff, I'm not making up the [inaudible] stuff in written testimony, it's
there. The second thing I want to say is that yes, Valerie Poindexter is working on setting up an
ag center but this is irrelevant for our purposes today, but she is and what she's doing is she's
going to Wailea and she's looking for the help and support so that the County will run an ag
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center. Third, the ag center that has been proposed to you by the landowner is speculative at
most. It has been speculative on the landowner for many occasions when he has submitted
plans for luxury houses on the view — on the shoreline, that was speculative. When he
submitted plans for a brewery and a distillery, that is still speculative and its speculative now
about this ag center as well. And finally, when Michael who just testified, testified about the
third — about all these new warehouses that are going to be built, if you read — if you read what
the landowner has even suggested for this, they are containers in many occasions. He says
Matson containers. So, in summary, I would just simply — quickly again say look at the CDP, look
at the policies, objectives of the CDP, remember in your head where we're talking about and it's
not a close call. Thank you.
5. Dong Guo, representing farmers and speaking on agenda item 3, Hakalau Point: For everyone,
yeah, thank you. My name is Dong. I working and living in Hakalau around — about 20 years so
I know Hakalau, this community. I get friends — plenty friends over there. I know plenty farmers
living and working in Hakalau — this place. And I know now, for farmers we need one processing
plant for processing our product and then send to Mainland. So, you know when we talking
about the soju plant, for sweet potato soju plant in Honolulu, when people from [inaudible]
come to Honolulu set up very — very — very small plant. I seen my year, they just processing
30,000 pounds potatoes [inaudible] potatoes [inaudible] thousand dollars. But our processing
this soju, even the [inaudible] market just some customer or some traveler come for buy the
sales from $30, in Korea its $200,000. Only three — thirty thousand potatoes processed into soju
and they send to market and bring back twenty — $200, 000 sales. So, we looking for some
chance like that. We need Hakalau — this industrial area, keep industrial zoning and the — set up
the soju plant right away. That's what I thinking so we need a building and they get power,
water, everything ready —just ready for set up. Okay. Thank you.
6. Steve Shropshire, representing himself, speaking on agenda item 3, Hakalau Point Map: Thank
you for the opportunity to testify. First off, I want to say that I empathize with this Committee
in terms of being able to sort out all the rhetoric and all the agendas that people bring to these
— this process. And, I — I would simply also point to the wall and say that the project we're
proposing matches consistently with the third tier of the economic development tier of this plan.
What's unique about this property is that it's zoned industrial. One — less than one-tenth of all
the land on the island of Hawaii is zoned industrial. Very, very rare commodity. So, it gives us
an opportunity to support the goals that have been identified in the economic development
plan. There's also goals, Mr. Cain mentioned Objective 4 and 5, 1 think both of those goals talk
about —in the five, direct future settlement patterns towards existing developments, creating
walkable mixed-use neighborhoods and that's clearly what we're trying to do, bring services
back. People talk about the plantation days. What made the plantation days great? The
economics of the plantation created jobs. It created a — created a economy and I would simply
ask you to think about that and the need for that in terms of what we've already identified.
Moving — there's only four things that can happen here. One is that we're able to negotiate a
settlement with PONC that's acceptable to me as a landowner. That doesn't look possible or
probable at this point. I don't have anything that's tangible in front of me. Number two, the
community works together with the developer. We create a shared vision that has elements of
the park plan, if it has also economic development objectives. Third, I go it alone. We fi — we
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battle it out, hire the lawyers, stretch it out. Or, fourth, I shut it down and basically take it off
you know, shelf it and let my children worry about it. And you know, frankly, that's — that
option is there. I think if you look at the potential of working together, there's a greater
potential to work towards common good because you know, this is still the United States of
America and private property rights are still protected under this — in this country, thank God,
and I believe that when you're contemplating basically is an illegal action that will amount to a
taking of private property rights. And, I've talked to enough lawyers, I've talked to — privately
with folks at the Corp Counsel. I don't think that's gonna — that's gonna hold up. So, I would
just ask you to think about where — where you're heading with this because if its — if you think
there's a fifth option which is strip my private property rights, intimidate me to hand over a
piece of property, it's never gonna happen. It's not gonna happen so I — I would think there's
probably more reason to work together than to continue to alienate me and I can [inaudible]
polarization. Thank you.
7. Marissa Harman, representing Kamehameha Schools, speaking on agenda item 3C, new
information presented: Aloha, thank you for the opportunity to come before you again. Based
on the written testimony I submitted yesterday, I would like to ask the Steering Committee to
consider the new information I provided in my clarification and consider the possibility of
agendizing the Pauka'a map again, the revisions at your next meeting — sounds like you might
have a next meeting. But just to summarize some of the clarification points I brought up, you
know, we have about 40,000 acres in the CDP planning district. What I'm asking is actually not
— I think some of the material wrongly says we're asking you to designate it as LDU. I'm actually
asking you just to keep it as LDU. I think the revisions propose taking it away but you know the
— the acreage is about 50 acres. It's 1/10 of 1% of our land holdings in the area and I think our
track record, you know, after buying the plantation in Hdmdkua, 30,000 acres and taking back
our Hilo lands that were in sugar, we consciously decided to keep those lands in ag production.
Even Director Enright, his Department of Ag recognizes that in their 2015 State Land Use
Baseline Study. We can quote: "KS is a long-term landowner and has not sought to sell any of
the lands they have acquired in Hdmdkua in the last 20 years." End quote. So, for us, you know,
I think Steve talked about kind of shelving a decision for a future generation. Actually, the
burden we carry as you know, the caretakers of Pauahi's lands is to make the decisions for the
next generation, so keeping the LDU designation allows us opportunities to continue supporting
our — our agricultural lands. These lands at Pdhoehoe, we've invested about $1.3M in them in
the last few years for our water system, for our roads, for paving, for security and with a post-
harvest facility down the road. So, it's really my job as the current steward to — to ensure there
are opportunities for Pauahi's beneficiaries in the future, one of them being a possibility for
affordable farm worker housing. We've kinda got outta the housing market in Honolulu
because of the lease to fee conversion but there are other ways of us doing housing in terms of
short term leases or through third party. But basically, the 650 usable acres above this could
support about 30-60 small farms if fully utilized for farmland so we gotta think through those
possibilities as our trees come out at the top of those farms and that that land get turned into
more agricultural production. And, I think there was a misunderstanding that current ag zoning
would allow us to do this kind of clustered housing. The current ag zoning allows for one home
— potentially one additional dwelling on that parcel. What we're trying to do is support all the
ag land above it at the base here. And, I — I further don't believe that the County Action Policy
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13 you discussed earlier on cluster rules subdivisions would allow it either. I think I missed that
at your last discussion when I had to leave early and I apologize for that as well. So, in
conclusion, I ask you to consider our track record, our intentions and the very small acreage in
relation to our larger land holding and reconsider our request to leave LDU on the map. Thank
you.
8. Mike Richardson, representing himself, speaking on agenda item 3, options 4A & 4C: Good
afternoon. Good to meet everybody here and all the work you folks have put in. I'm the new
guy. I'm newer on the hill over here. I've been here about a year. I've been on the island about
five years. I'm retired. /worked half my life to get here. I like it here. I would like to where I'm
contributing on a farm right now, I would like to grow a large garden. I would like to take that
garden down to the Point and dry it, have a cup of coffee, talk to some of the farmers; say hi to
some of the homeowners. Can I have that opportunity? I won't make a mess. I won't screw up
the Point. /don't think anybody will now— we know better. We know the history of the cane.
So please think about me when you go with this recommendation. Please leave it as it is right
now and see if we can grow it into something nicer. Thank you.
9. Cyr Pakele, representing himself, speaking on the agenda item of Hakalau Point: Aloha mai
kakou. My name is Cyr Pakele and I'm new to Hakalau. I just moved there in December. I fled
Honolulu. Why? Too much growth. Why do I live in Hawaii? Lucky we live Hawaii. [inaudible]
I lost all that growing up in Honolulu. All I could see was hotels, houses, rich houses along the
front, I had to walk far to go fishing. But over here, we have something we can keep. So I want
the ocean views. I wanna see that. I live in Hakalau and I have a special interest as well, okay.
When I hear an industrial complex, I think of an airport complex near Kekuanao'a and Railroad,
all those shops, that's what I think. That's what I picture in Hakalau Point. To me, that raises a
safety issue. It doesn't fit in our community and residence. We have kids there. We have a post
office with people coming and going. The industrial complex, you have cars, trucks, flatbed
trucks, heavier traffic. Safety issues, we have kids running in the neighborhood, not a lot, but
kids - my mo'oponas will be here too. I gotta think about that. So, I have concerns. I — I support
the farmers, no doubt about that. We need them, ok. But I just don't think Hakalau is the pl —
Hakalau Point is the place because there's only one road in. Everybody's gotta come in and go
out that same road, too much traffic at that point, particularly with the trucks, okay. I'm sorry.
But yeah, so, you know, think about — remember the past. Look at what we got now, how our —
how our State has developed. Where do we wanna be in the future? We can preserve what we
have — let's keep it. I would like this concept of openness along the coastlines so let's not lose
anymore. Mahalo.
3. Consideration of Proposed Revisions to Draft CDP Land Use Policies:
Working from "Review Document #5: Steering Committee Deliberations on Additional Potential
Revisions" as well as decision-making handouts, the CDP Planning Team facilitated discussion by
the Steering Committee geared toward preliminary decisions about the following potential
revisions to the Draft CDP:
Refined wording of Policies 1 & 12: Mr. Carvalho moved to accept the revisions to Land Use
Policy 1 and County Action Policy 12 as proposed with the additional note that the change to
Land Use Guide Map will be made throughout the document.
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Land Use Policy 1:
With the adoption of the Hdmdkua CDP, Figures 2-13 (pages 38-49) are adopted as the
official Land Use Guide P-64 y Map for the Hdmdkua CDP Planning Area. Future land use
decisions in the Hdmdkua CDP planning area shall be consistent with the Land Use Guide
Pa y Map, unless the CDP and the General Plan are in direct conflict, in which case the
General Plan shall be controlling.
As with the General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) map, the CDP Land Use
Guide Map designates preferred future development patterns by indicating the general
location of various land uses in relation to each other. To maintain consistency, the land use
category definitions used in the CDP Land Use Guide Map are identical to those currently
used in the 2005 General Plan LUPAG map.
See also Policy 12 for the County Action that aligns the CDP Land Use GuideP,94ey Mop with
the General Plan. Policy 12 is necessary because the CDP Land Use Guide Mop does not
automatically amend the General Plan.
[Note: With this change, all references to the Land Use Policy Map will be changed to Land
Use Guide Map in the CDP and all other future CDP documents.]
County Action Policy 12:
Amend the General Plan to reflect the following changes:
■ The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide should be consistent with to conform to the
official Hdmdkua CDP Land Use Peeey Guide Map. If the definitions of land use
designations in the General Plan are revised, the following factors should guide land use
designations in the Hdmdkua Planning Area:
Factor 1: Minimize new coastal development.
Factor 2: Minimize encroachment onto core agricultural lands.
Factor 3: Align with State Land Use District Boundary.
Factor 4: Align with County zoning.
Factor 5: Accommodate projected population growth.
Factor 6: Align with infrastructure — Potable Water.
Factor 7: Align with infrastructure — Roadway Network.
Factor 8: Align with infrastructure — Wastewater.
Factor 9: Ensure that commercial designations are appropriate — (MDU).
Factor 10: Ensure that industrial designations are appropriate and consistent.
More details on these factors can be found in the CDP Rationale section of the CDP.
While these factors cannot be applied absolutely in every land use situation, they should
be considered as important criteria when amending the General Plan.
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Amend General Plan Table 14-5 to reflect the LUPAG map amendments. (Papa'ikou,
Laupdhoehoe-Pdpa'aloa and Pa'auilo should no longer be identified as LUPAG Industrial
areas).
Second by Mr. Neff. Motion passed with 7 votes aye and 0 votes nay.
b. Hakalau Point Map: Ms. Gloor went over the decision making tool, outlining relevant
factors for each option presented (Options 1-4c). Mr. Agres facilitated a lengthy discussion
on the proposed options for Hakalau Point.
Mr. Carvalho moved to accept Option 3 as proposed "Designate the portions of parcels 2-9-
002:079 and 2-9-002:081 that are currently Industrial as Open". Second by Ms. Pahi'o.
Motion passed with 5 votes aye, 1 vote nay (Mr. Moniz), and 1 recusal (Mr. Kurokawa).
"Option 3 of the Hakalau Land Use Guide Map is attached to these minutes.
There were four written comments submitted on pink forms.
1. Dong Guo: "It is very important for Hakalau farmers, we need the Hakalau Points for industry
zoning and increase some agri-business to help our community economic growing, get more
job. We really want processing plant in Hakalau, nearly local farmers for processing potatoes,
coffee, chocolate... - make value added."
2. Helen Naho'opi'i: "As a facilitator for/support of Green Development initiatives, I feel that both
Hdmdkua communities and Aloha Green owner, Steve Shropshire have resources valuable to
meet sustainable and economic goals of the County. Young ag-entrepreneurs are here with
great food product which can create economic security for families and farmers. By having a
private public partnership, village models can be restored to be successful economic & eco -
considerate living communities. I recommend both community organizations and Aloha Green
continue to work toward partnership."
3. Dylan Shropshire: "It is extremely important we preserve the small percentage of industrial land
that we have left. The zoning allows for processing and uses that are not possible with
agricultural zoning. The average age of a farmer is 60+, we need opportunity for future
generations. Ag -tourism, farm to table restaurant, processing, brewery, etc..."
4. Irene Carpenter: "Hdmdkua Kohala Health Center delivers services to 7,000 patients in this
area. The health center has just sent out a community health care needs assessment. We
would like the results of this needs assessment to be used to help planning for future
development to respond to healthcare needs that the community has prioritized."
NEXT STEPS:
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 was suggested as the next meeting date. All Steering Committee
members in attendance (7) confirmed their availability.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Carvalho moved to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Pahi'o. Motion passed with 7 votes aye
and 0 votes nay. The meeting adjourned at 6:28pm.
Page 117
Hamakua CDP
Revised Land Use Guide Map
for Hakalau and Wailea
LUPAG Designations
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Hakalau Point Revisions: Revise the Open coastal area to match the current General Plan Open area and 'clean up' the Open/Low Density
Urban boundary along Opihi Point Place. Designate parcels 2-9-020:079/2-9-020:081 as Open.
Page 118