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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0372.002 2024-2026C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor William V. Brilhante, Jr. Managing Director Merrick Nishimoto Deputy Managing Director County of Hawaii - Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • Phone (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 0 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Phone (808) 323-4444 • Fax.(808) 323-4440 e C:) June 25, 2025 The Honorable Chairman Holeka Goro Inaba and Members of the County Council „ � 25 Aupuni Street CD Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Inaba and Members of the County Council, The General Plan represents a collaborative effort between the County and our community ,to chart a shared course for our island's future. Its purpose is to establish a collective vision that unites us in addressing our challenges and creating a better future for everyone. However, just like the navigators aboard 1­16kule`a, who are setting sail from Hilo on a voyage across the ocean, our course needs to remain adaptable. The world is changing rapidly, and our plans must be able to evolve in response. With that in mind, I want to share a few thoughts and concerns regarding the current draft as the County Council undertakes its crucial responsibility to review and adopt this document. After several months of reviewing the draft, my primary concern is that it attempts to do too much. The General Plan is intended to establish long-term goals and priorities, serving as the overarching framework that guides our County agencies. However, it currently risks becoming bogged down by excessive details, some of which face community opposition. By being too specific and prescriptive, I believe this draft tries to take on more kuleana than it should. Evidence from other regions supports this perspective. Honolulu's General Plan, for example, maintains a high-level and flexible approach, focusing on general goals, objectives, and policies without delving into specific action steps and responsibilities. This allows for a more adaptable framework that can respond to changing circumstances effectively. We can further compare plans by looking at the section on climate change. While addressing climate change is important, the current draft includes 16 pages on climate adaptation and mitigation, compared to Kauai County's General Plan, which includes about 10 pages on the subject, and Honolulu's plan, which addresses climate change by focusing only on policies and objectives. This discrepancy arises because our Plan contains numerous detailed action steps and lengthy explanations. While I acknowledge the significance of climate change, much of this detail is not necessary in a high-level policy document. According to a report by the National Research Council, effective long-term planning for climate change requires flexibility and Comm. Ref.To: County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ref. Date The Honorable Chairman Holeka Goro Inaba and Members of the County Council June 25, 2025 Page 2 of 2 adaptability, which are hindered by overly prescriptive plans. Moreover, to stay relevant, the Plan should adhere to a 10-year outlook (2035), with revisions every five years. The pace of change in our world, whether economic, technological, or environmental, necessitates more frequent assessments. For instance, the rapid development of artificial intelligence, which has transformed industries in just a few years, underscores the need for adaptable planning. By planning too far into the future, we reduce our ability to respond effectively to an ever -evolving world. In conclusion, while the General Plan is a vital tool for guiding our island's future, it must remain flexible, apolitical, and focused on high-level objectives. By doing so, we can ensure that it serves as a dynamic and responsive framework capable of addressing our community's needs in a rapidly changing world. Mahalo nui loa for your consideration. 1001 4e** C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor of Hawaii County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.