HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-05.PCDP.ACMinutes.FINAL (2)Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
Michael Yee
Director
Daryn Arai
Deputy Director
Chair Larry Brown called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee (AC) to
order at 5:00 p.m. in the Kea'au Community Center.
ROLL CALL
Action Committee Members Present: Larry Brown (Chair), Michael Bernard, Dan Domizio, Susan
Osborne, Yumi Kawano, Brent Norris, Mark Hinshaw, Frances Brewer
Action Committee Members Absent -Excused: Leila Kealoha (Vice -Chair)
Staff: Michael Yee, Planning Director; April Surprenant, Long Range Division Manager; Ron Whitmore,
Deputy Director of Research and Development; CoH Planners - Keiko Mercado, Eric Cook and Kamuela
Plunkett
Members of the public: 18
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: NONE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Ms. Mercado welcomed and introduced the newest Puna CDP Action Committee Member,
Frances Brewer.
2. Ms. Mercado reminded the Action Committee that political campaigning is prohibited at all
County sponsored events including public meetings.
3. Ms. Mercado announced that Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) would be
hosting a meeting in Volcano Village on 07.05.2018 at 6:00 p.m. Na Leo TV will broadcast the
meeting live.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:
1. No public comments were presented at the beginning of the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Committee Member Mark Hinshaw moved to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2018, meeting as
amended. Second by Committee Member Brent Norris. The motion to approve the minutes as amended
passed with 8 votes aye, 0 votes nay.
BUSINESS:
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1. Kilauea Eruption Recovery Efforts: Ms. Mercado invited AC members to briefly share some of
the impacts they've experienced due to the Kilauea eruption. In a Round Robin style, Action
Committee members and Planning Staff each shared how they and their neighbors had been
affected by the ongoing eruption event. Ms. Mercado encouraged members of the public to fill
out a "share your story" form, which would be shared with the Action Committee post
meeting.
Ron Whitmore (Deputy Director, CoH Department of Research and Development), April
Surprenant (Manager, CoH Long Range Planning Division), and CoH Planner Keiko Mercado
gave a presentation that provided an overview of the current situation, current and future
recovery planning efforts, as well as the possible role the Puna CDP and Action Committee may
play during the recovery process.
To view Communication No. 2018-09: PowerPoint Presentation, please use the following link:
http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Web Lin k/DocView.aspx?dbid= 1&id=94062&page=1
Mr. Whitmore provided an overview of the three stages of disaster recovery. Stage 1 being
response (days after), stage 2 being assistance (weeks after), and stage 3 being recovery (years
after).
The following questions were asked and addressed during this portion of the presentation:
Q: How would a plan like Senator Ruderman's relocation proposal fit into the recovery planning
process?
A: It would fit most specifically in planning related to future housing and infrastructure
development.
Q: Do schools fall under infrastructure?
A: Yes, infrastructure also includes health and social services, and economic development to
some extent.
Ms. Mercado provided an overview of the role of the Puna CDP Action Committee in recovery
efforts. The three most relevant duties pulled from Hawai'i County Code Chapter 16 were:
i. Monitor the progress and effectiveness of the CDP including the need for CDP
revisions based on emerging statewide plans, new technologies, innovative
ideas, or changing conditions.
ii. Serve as the steering committee, as set forth in the general plan, in any
comprehensive update of the CDP. [advise on process, lead/support
engagement, and make recommendations]
iii. Community Engagement: Broaden community awareness of the CDP and build
partnerships, as appropriate, with governmental and community-based
organizations to implement CDP policies and actions.
Committee member, Susan Osborne, commented that the changing conditions afford the
Action Committee and the recovery planning team the opportunity to really embrace and uplift
technologies and innovative ideas that would uplift the Puna community. The following
question was asked and addressed during this portion of the presentation:
Q: When will the SO2 monitors be back up in Mt. View and Hilo?
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A: Some of the monitors were originally intended for short term use and may need to be
repaired or replaced. Some monitors have also been vandalized or stolen. Department of
Health is doing their best to keep all the necessary air monitors up and running. You can call
Civil Defense for further information on specific air quality monitors.
Ms. Surprenant provided an overview of the current planning process that is underway as well
as how the community and Action Committee can engage in the process. Ms. Surprenant urged
individuals and families that have been displaced to participate in the FEMA questionnaire as
the information is given back to the County and the State to help identify the specific needs of
individuals and families. Ms. Surprenant outlined the planning process as such:
i. Identify specific needs and affirm goals.
ii. Consider a variety of alternatives to address residential and business
displacement, public facilities, as well as agriculture activities.
iii. Develop criteria to evaluate and asses the different alternatives. Engagement
with the Action Committee and the community.
iv. Consider the legislative, funding, and planning tools available to address the
issues at hand.
V. Making recommendations for planning strategies and methods.
The following question was asked and addressed during this portion of the presentation:
Q: What are the facts? What kind of numbers do we have? How many people have been
affected, how many people need to relocate, etc.?
A: The Recovery Planning Task Force is currently in the process of gathering those facts. There
were some initial numbers but the event is ongoing so the data is continually being updated.
That statistical data will start to be released after it has all been gathered and assessed. We are
also waiting to receive the data from the FEMA questionnaires.
Ms. Mercado provided an overview of how goals within the Puna CDP relate to recovery efforts
(additional detail outlined in Communication No. 2018-08). Goals relating to malama i ka 'aina,
managing growth, and transportation were highlighted in relation to response and recovery.
To view the full list of goals relating to these topics please view Communication No. 2018-08 by
using the following link: http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/doc/94053/Pagel.aspx
The following questions were asked and addressed during this portion of the meeting:
Q: How does a lava viewing area fit into the plan moving forward, and will it be a matter for
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park or will it come to Pahoa Town?
A: It comes into play from a variety of perspectives. This eruption is a unique historical and
cultural event that thousands of people are interested in seeing and experiencing it somehow.
Many businesses and their employees have been significantly, negatively impacted by the
eruption event. A lava viewing area would serve as a tremendous opportunity to help improve
economic development. Multiple sites have been considered for lava viewing. The logistics of
the lava viewing area is dependent on which site is selected. We want to plan the lava viewing
in such a way that it deliberately brings people to Pahoa Town and provides opportunities for
local tour operators.
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Q: What is the County's intention for providing parking in Pahoa Town?
A: There are many different ways to manage parking. The County is currently looking into
different potential options to provide parking.
Q: Is the County planning on charging admission to cover the cost of constructing the new lava
viewing area?
A: That is being discussed. A range of options are being considered, while keeping affordability
in mind for local residents.
Q: Will the prohibition on section 8 housing end?
A: Section 8 housing is something that is being considered and the process has been started.
We are seeking extra section 8 vouchers from other jurisdictions that we can take on.
Q: Will there be a prohibition of building in lava zones 1 and 2?
A: The County hasn't taken a particular stance on building prohibitions quite yet, but several
options are in consideration.
Q: Who is going to decide where development needs to start and stop?
A: The County and State will need to come together and work on risk assessment for future
developments to provide guidance as to where development should be allowed.
Q: Has there been any efforts to reach out to volcanologists to help inform future planning?
A: Yes, since day one on a 24 hour basis there has been at least one volcanologist at the
emergency operations center. They are constantly informing the entire process including plans
for recovery.
Q: Does the FEMA funding compensate the loss in tax revenue?
A: No, FEMA funding does not cover losses in tax revenue.
Q: Will the shelters be closing soon?
A: There is no current plan to close the shelters. There is a push to get those in shelters into
more permanent housing as quickly as possible. The shelters would then close once everyone
has found alternative housing options.
Q: How is relocation of those who have been displaced going to be handled on the County
level?
A: Daryn Arai from the Planning Department is working on collaborative efforts between
County agencies and private parties to come up with relocation solutions.
Q: What is the current status of PGV?
A: PGV is partially inundated. It is shut down, safe and secured. PGV has committed to keeping
their staff employed for at least a year. They have also made a significant charitable financial
contribution to relief efforts. They are considering the possibility of reopening the facility.
Q: Has PGV sought any permits for other site locations?
A: We do not believe they have pursued permits for another site.
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Ms. Mercado announced that there will be follow up from the Planning Department for
questions that were not addressed during the meeting.
The following question was asked and addressed during this portion of the meeting:
Q: What are the next steps for the planning process?
A: Right now we are collecting a lot of information and having a lot of strategy meetings. There
are several task forces working to solve the different pieces of the puzzle. This work will result
in a comprehensive recovery plan, but we are still in the beginning stages of that.
A member of the public stated that he would like to see 'ohana units allowed on Agricultural
land again. He stated that he would like to see preapproved house plans that can be built
quickly and not go through a 6 month permitting process, to expedite building for those
affected by the lava flow. He also stated that he would like to see 'ohana units be allowed to
provide rental housing in existing subdivisions with infrastructure rather than build new
subdivisions.
Ms. Surprenant addressed his concerns and announced that the County is currently exploring
opportunities for expanding the number of building plans that are preapproved for permits, to
reduce the permit process to a few weeks. She also stated that the County is working on how
to outline different methods for building a guest house or 'ohana. Some of the building plans
that are being considered for preapproval fit the criteria for a guest house or 'ohana unit. The
County is currently looking at various locations in Puna where vacant lots can be infilled as well
as allowing more opportunities for 'ohana units to be constructed in existing subdivisions as a
means to help Puna residents remain in Puna.
Councilwoman, Jen Ruggles, announced that a bill was submitted to the legislative research
branch to address the amount of time it takes for approval on building permits. This
amendment exempts any designs that are stamped by a licensed engineer or architect in the
State of Hawai'i from structural review. She asked the community to stay tuned for further
updates regarding the progress of the bill.
Chair Brown stated that recovery efforts need to correct the deficiencies in Puna that the PCDP
speaks to. Chair Brown suggested that the Action Committee and County should start thinking
about how we can move forward with the development of village centers to address issues in
the Puna community.
Committee Member Kowono motioned that the Puna CDP Action Committee meet monthly
regarding disaster recovery in Puna. The motion was not carried because it was not agendized
that the AC would be considering a monthly meeting schedule. The topic will be considered as
an agenda item for the Puna CDP Action Committee meeting on September 4, 2018.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: (September 4, 2018)
1. Discussion of a possible monthly meeting schedule for the Puna CDP Action Committee.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
All Action Committee information can be viewed and downloaded from our website:
http://www.hawai icountycdp.info/puna-cdp/implementation/puna-cdp-action-committee
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