NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ADVISORY GROUP
DATE: Monday, May 5th, 2025, 4:30 pm
PLACE: Kohala Judiciary Building (near the Police Station)
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER – Please put all cell phones on silent mode.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTs ON AGENDA ITEMS: Members of the public are welcome and ARE invited to speak to any items on the agenda. Public comments and input are welcome at designated periods at the beginning and end of each meeting. People may, however, speak during AG discussions, if the situation warrants. Please raise a hand to be recognized. Comments should be limited to three (3) minutes in length per agenda item, subject to the discretion of the chair. Recommendations for agenda additions for the next meeting should be made during the input session at the meeting end.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Affordable Housing
North Kohala Self-Help project. No new updates. The need for confirmed water meters for the Hawi Nani project was discussed briefly, but there are no other new developments.
The Kohala Community Land Trust works to keep our existing housing stock local. There are currently four working committees that have been identified for the next steps in developing the KCLT: Strategy and Governance, Property Acquisition and Stewardship, Development of Donors and Membership, and Finance and Accounting. The committees will be meeting regularly to begin their responsibilities. All members of KCLT have been sent an email regarding these committees and will be updated as needed.
Our Vacant Home Inventory Project is growing mainly due to the age of many of the plantation era homes in our district. Every home that is identified may be a home “saved” from abandonment, neglect, or demolition. The intention is to help put more existing houses in service as either rentals or possibly local home ownership. Please contact our secretary, Rascha, if you would like to add a home to the list for consideration. Some residents of North Kohala find themselves unable to maintain their aging homes. It was discussed whether there are currently any county funds for such needs. Further discussion was tabled until more information regarding the current legislative bills could be found.
The Ag Housing Group monthly meeting was discussed briefly, in that the need for Affordable Housing falls within the need for farm lot housing as wellThe County of Hawai’i Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is still seeking community input on Hawai’i Island’s housing needs for the Affordable Housing Production Project. To take the survey, please visit this link: https://www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/home-ohcd
A space has been reserved for the Affordable Housing Group at the upcoming Kohala Reunion. More discussion needs to take place regarding the possibilities our space. Ideas so far have been to update or further promote the community survey that was promoted at the previous reunion, and/or provide a credit counseling and down payment educational session for aspiring or first-time home buyers.
Everyone felt the mayor’s community meeting held at the gym at Kamehameha Park was well organized and well attended. More time for questions would have been great, but those who wanted to pursue their questions had the opportunity to meet with the department head or representative of that program to ask more questions briefly after the meeting.
The next meeting will be May 14th, 9 am at Pomaika’I Café (second Wednesday of each month).
Agriculture
Kohala Reunion: July 4th to 6th. Agriculture Group’s exhibit: the history of agriculture In North Kohala,
The 5 acre subdivision model above Manua Kea golf course with Agriculture corridors. Each lot has to dedicate 1 acre to growing produce which the HOA manages
Kohala Food Hub is still looking to fill two positions between 17–37 years of age for full-time associate and part-time driver through Kupu ‘Āina Corps, Green Jobs Youth Corps Initiative.
SB1300 passed to allow students who qualify for reduced-priced school lunches to receive them for free starting in 2025-6 school year. Beginning in the 2026-7 school year, students from families that earn less than 3x the federal poverty level would also receive free school meals. An average family of four that earns less than $97,000 a year would be eligible.
The Farmers Union needs more members; older members are reminded to renew their membership, as it might have lapsed. During Summer, some NKCDP Agriculture & Farmers Union meetings will be hosted on different farms. The next meeting is scheduled for May 22 at 5 p.m. on the Fuertes Farm. Farmers interested in hosting a meeting contact to David Fuertes
Next meeting, May 29th, 5-6:30 pm, Kohala Resilience Hub Barn.
Community Access (see maps on last page for locations)
Pololu Lookout. DLNR has released the Draft Environmental Assessment and Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact (DEA-AFONSI) for Pololu Trailhead. The DEA was prepared by the Townscape consultants. The draft is available at https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/Doc_Library/2025-03-23-HA-DEA-Pololu-Trailhead-Management-Plan.pdf Hard copies are available at the library. The public comment period ended on April 22nd. Send any further comments to Gabby of Townscape or Jackson Bauer of the State Na Ala Hele.
The landowner of the old mule station is working on donating the land for a rest facility.
Temporary portable potty will be installed pending approval of the right-of-entry.
Akoakoa Point. They are working on more educational & clean up programs.
Hapu’u – Kapanaia. Kohala Lihikai is working with the school for signage at Hale o Ka’ili Heiau.
A private landowner expressed interest in donating supplies for stewardship of Kapalama Heiau.
Hawaii Island Retreat. The public access map has been submitted to the state & county for review. The new signage has been installed.
Upolu Point. PONC nomination has been submitted to the mayor for consideration.
Mahukona. HILT is working on a draft management plan.
Kohala Shoreline. Lots of damage and run-off from the last wildfire. Some of the archeological sites have been damaged by the wildfire breaks. Concerns about the parking lot being across the gulch. A draft public access plan is being reviewed by the Planning Department. Portions of the Ala Loa have been obliterated by wildfire and bulldozing. The planning department has been requested to do a site visit.
Announcements
Maya Goodoni from Kohala has applied for the vacant PONC position.
Next meeting May 7th, 4:40 pm Senior Center.
Growth Management
General Plan review Plan received favorable response from Leeward and Windward committees, now it goes to the County Council.
Kohala Shoreline: March 14 site visit with owner and planning representative. Issues for Public Access group and GM are the steep grade and a needed drainage study which some believe the conditions have not been met. Owner thinks he has done enough.
Kohala Kai subdivision. 9 lots, located makai of Kohala Estates. This site has a 14-year history of not being able to finalize plans for Public access. A letter received says that the owner can no longer make efforts to pursue a conservation easement with the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Maintenance of the area makai of the Ala Loa (jeep trail) will be handled by the owners’ association and kept free of structures.
Old Coast Guard Road. Toni is pushing hard to get the Mayor on board to accept the road, but he has pulled away after listening to advisors. DOI folks say if the County doesn’t step up, it will revert to the GSA (not a good resolution) after being held by NPS. DOI also reports the State Parks Division has been approached. Mayor said they are approaching the state at his Talk Story session.
Sunny’s Place lot in Hawi. Report that the Hawaiian Style Café proposes a restaurant on highway frontage. It will need a 25’ setback. Kaeo family lot that was cleared behind it will remain unused for now.
Legislature was asked for funding for purchase of 3 Ag-zoned parcels to create farm lots. Only one, the Surety Halaula Ag land parcel made it to consideration by both houses. May not be addressed until next year.
Next meeting is May 14th (or April 9th if an issue arises needing attention), 5pm, Senior Center.
Health and Wellness/WRK
Guest speaker was Sarah Novickis, PhD. Child psychologist, certified in treating Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She practices through Hamakua-Kohala Health mainly in Waimea and Laupahoehoe. She receives referrals from schools primarily Head Start and preschools, but has seen an increase in adults seeking diagnoses for Autism, ADHD etc.
Alzheimer’s caregivers’ program. Nicolas Los Banos is setting up for May 8,15, 22 and 29 from 6-8 currently planned at NKCRC. This is through the Hawaii Alzheimer’s association. On line registration.
Kohala night market May 7th from 4-7 will focus on hurricane and tsunami awareness month
Kohala reunion is scheduled for July 4,5 and 6.
North Kohala CERT team will be providing first aid services at both events.
Kathy will be attending the Fentanyl summit in Hilo on May 6th.
She will also work on compiling a list of AED locations in the community which can be shared with the public.
Next meeting May 25th, 4pm at NKCRC.
Kohala Culture & History Advisory Group (KCHAG).
St. Augustine’s cemetery: Ongoing discussions continue regarding discrepancies in burial records. A family member with ancestral ties to the area came to share her concerns. She plans to conduct further research and will be meeting with the Vicar, who is also investigating.
Mahukona: Mālama Mahukona has asked KCHAG to help identify key community stakeholders with direct kuleana for cultural and historic sites, to guide both decision-making with the County and long-term stewardship of Mahukona. Discussions around having a dedicated caretaker to establish a consistent presence on-site, along with a call to secure sustainable funding for such a role. Representatives from Ala Kahakai shared their experience developing their trail system, which included holding in-depth meetings with community members and those with ancestral ties to the area. The insights and needs gathered through those conversations were later integrated into their trail access plan.
Guava Investments Property: New research found a sacred site might be on Guava Investments property. SHPD notified but needed permission to get on property for a site visit. Kohala Center is going to request a one-on-one with the owner. Also potentially land manager.
Grants: KCHAG has received a grant from Kamehameha Schools to support the Kohala Reunion project and is currently awaiting the release of funds. The group also plans to meet soon to discuss another grant opportunity focused on creating a virtual huakaʻi in collaboration with the Kohala Heritage Center, and the Kohala Oral History Project.
Kohala Reunion: A Google Form survey has been sent out via the listserv to help identify kūpuna and potential story topics for the upcoming Kūpuna Talk Story sessions. Each day will feature two sessions, and honoraria will be provided. The survey will also be shared on social media. You can find the form here. One idea in the works is to invite reunion classes to interview kūpuna on lighthearted and nostalgic topics. The next meeting will be fully dedicated to planning these sessions.
The group is also gathering Kohala songs for the upcoming kanikapila and is inviting Guy Sasaki to display his ʻukulele collection at the event.
Lapakahi: Following the failure of SB510, which sought to lift the fishing moratorium in the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District, concerns were raised about who is currently protecting the shoreline. Community members have observed a noticeable decline in fish populations, contradicting claims cited in the bill’s preamble—reportedly from DAR—suggesting a return of abundance. When questioned, DAR stated that the information was inaccurate. Discussions on the need to define boundaries for the area, recognizing its sacred significance.
Fisheries advocates have committed to keeping KCHAG informed on both county and federal developments, as well as resources available to support traditional and customary practices.
Kohala Shoreline Site Visit Debrief: Members of KCHAG participated in a site visit on March 16, alongside representatives from Ala Kahakai, Na Ala Hele, and the Access group. There was significant property damage from 2024 wildfires, including harm to cultural sites and burials caused by bulldozers. Owner still needs to do post-fire survey, which had been requested by KCHAG in the fall of 2024. Critical to highlight the need for a comprehensive Ka Paʻakai analysis moving forward.
Next meeting is May 12th 10 am Walker Hall.
Parks, Roads, Erosion Control and View-planes (PREV)
Continues to work with the schools and the Department of Public Works on the modification of the intersection of Honomaka’u Road & Akoni Pule Hwy to reduce student drop-off and pick-up congestion.
Next meeting is April 21st, 5 pm. Senior Center.
Utilities
Solid Waste Management – As a follow-up to our last meeting it was noted that there is a County of Hawaii Zero Waste Plan written in 2000 that lists the County’s goals. It can be accessed via records.hawaiicounty.gov. The document has a section on the possibility of processing green waste as a public/private enterprise.
Local Green Waste Site– Brandon Balmarez attended to help explore the possibility that the County could partner with Aikane Nursery to establish a local green waste disposal site for North Kohala. Green waste at our transfer station constitutes over half of household waste trucked to the County landfill. If handled separately and locally, green waste could be converted to mulch, benefitting residents, eliminating trucking to the landfill and reducing the introduction of invasive pests. As we are the County’s largest single chute by volume this would be a cost savings to the County and would open a local green waste site to commercial users.
Past efforts to establish such a site at our current transfer station have failed, due partly to the cost of a separate chute (estimated at $500,000) and land constraints.
Aikane currently handles its own green waste and Brandon began to estimate what costs would be incurred to handle the additional green waste. An industrial chipper might cost as much as $250,000. The heat generated by decomposition helps kill invasive species. A separate site for the public’s dumping the waste will be needed. Brandon will come up with better cost figures so we might approach the County on such a project.
Grant for Battery Microgrid-The Hawaii State Energy Office is applying to the Federal Department of Energy for a grant of $19,331,200 to help offset the cost of the Microgrid project which is estimated at $24,164,000. This would leave the remaining $4,832,800 to be absorbed by ratepayers. The project is expected to 5 years to full energization and 2 years of sustained operations with performance testing. The current design of the project keeps the battery storage system at the substation.
Cesspool Deadline – Still waiting on the County’s Master Plan. It is estimated that a community sewer system for Puna could cost as much as $11 billion.
Next meeting is May 21st, 3:30 pm. Senior Center.
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Hawaiian Electric will conduct quarterly aerial inspections of its major overhead transmission lines from Monday, May 5, to Thursday, May 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Helicopter may fly low and slow which may cause temporary noise disturbances.
PUBLIC INPUT AND AGENDA SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
The Next Advisory Group Meeting will be Held on MONDAY June 2nd, 4:30pm, Judiciary Building.
Adjournment
NOTICE: The purpose of the public hearings is to afford all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the above items. They may also bring up another item for consideration by the AG. A person wishing to submit written testimony may email winterj@whitman.edu.
John Winter, Chair NORTH KOHALA CDP ADVISORY GROUP
