NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ADVISORY GROUP
DATE: Monday, January 5th, 2026, 4:30 pm
PLACE: Kohala Senior Center (behind the statue)
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. We typically have a lot of information to get through, so please respect everyone’s time. The chair may table lengthy discussions to be continued after the meeting officially closes. 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
Rural Planning Standards for North Kohala. The group wishes to start a community dialogue over this to build relationships between those in need of housing and those who oppose new development. This will be a working document of standards, with examples like narrow paved roads, grass drainage swales, limited street lighting, and smaller projects (10-20 units).
The group is reviewing and commenting on Chapter 11 Section 23 of the draft 2045 Hawai’i County Code. The County Council will be introducing a bill early this year to revise it.
A link to the Homes for Kohala Survey is available on the North Kohala CDP website at: https://kohalacommunityplan.org/housing/
Hawi Nani. The developer is aware that the community does not support vacant lots as a solution. He has hired a consultant to work with County Planning and Housing departments to restart the stalled project.
Infrastructure for the HICDC Self-Help Waimea project was set to begin in late 2025, with Kohala Phase 3 Kumakua following in mid-2026. Interested buyers are encouraged to join the HICDC waiting list and explore the requirements on their website: https://www.hicdcorp.org/home/homeownership-program
The County OHCD Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) offers low-interest loans for repairs and upgrades to low- and moderate-income homeowners, with potential principal forgiveness for eligible seniors and those with disabilities. In 2025, the OHCD distributed $11.8 million to six projects island-wide, including Ho’omalu at Waikoloa ($3M for 229 rental units) and Ua Hale Aʻela ($4.1M for 28 rent-to-own units). The County also purchased the Dolphin Bay Hotel in Hilo for $2.68 million using federal ERA 2 funds. It will be converted into 18 affordable rentals (studio, 1, and 2-bedroom) for residents earning up to 50% of the Area Median Income, with units ready in early 2026.
The next meeting will be January 14th, 9 am at Pomaika’i Café.
Agriculture
Did not meet in December.
Next meeting January 29th 5pm NKCRC office.
Community Access (see maps on last page for locations)
Hawaii Island Retreat. Landowner met with the county planner to speed up their application.
Honoipu. Mayor Alameda rejected an offer from National Park Service to transfer control of Old Coast Guard Road. At the group’s request the NKCDP Advisory Group unanimously approved a letter at the 12/7 meeting and sent it to the mayor on 12/8 urging the transfer and giving many reasons. The mayor’s office has not answered multiple requests to comment. The group assigned members to contact and get comments from the Fire Department, Police and CERT about the dangers faced by no entity being in charge.
HILT has a Visiting Mahukona video on their website. https://www.hilt.org/mahukona
Next meeting January 7th, 4:30 pm Senior Center.
Growth Management
Apparently, someone is planning a self-storage facility in Halaula on the industrial-zoned land. We will look into it.
A subdivision notice sign appeared on Maluhia Road. More research is needed.
The Sugiyama’s theater property in Kahei sold to an unknown buyer on Dec. 2.
Next meeting is January 14th, 5pm, Senior Center.
Culture & History Advisory Group (KCHAG).
Did not meet in December.
Next meeting will be at huaka’i o Keawewai. Date and location TBD.
Health and Wellness/WRK
Did not meet in December.
Next meeting January 16th, 4pm. NKCRC.
Parks, Roads, Erosion Control and View-planes (PREV)
Did not meet in December.
Next meeting is January 21st, 5:00 Senior Center.
Utilities
Did not meet in December.
Next meeting is January 21st, 3:30 Senior Center.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Agriculture Group asks to change its name to “Homes For Kohala.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- A membership meeting is scheduled for Kohala Community Land Trust (KCLT) on January 27, 2026, at 5 PM at the HUB Barn.
Report From Our Council Representative, James Hustace.
DPW Director Wes Segawa & DEM Director Daniel Girvan were confirmed by Council following vacancies and recent Mayoral appointments.
Resolution 397 – approved by Council (12/17); awards $6 million from Residential Tier Two property tax revenues to 8 different nonprofit organizations to address housing and homelessness challenges.
Resolution 399 – approved by Council (12/17); encourages the State Legislature to safeguard residents from federal overreach.
Resolution 411 – approved by Council (12/17); grant for Boys to Men mentoring programs.
Resolution 412 – approved by Council (12/17); grant to purchase wreaths for the West Hawaiʻi Veterans Cemetery for the National Wreaths Across America Day.
Bill 105 – approved by Council (12/17); appropriates $16.5 million for affordable housing production.
Resolution 422 – Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs (1/6); urges the State Legislature to prohibit the harvest of aquatic life from State marine waters for commercial aquarium purposes.
Resolution 427 – Council (1/7); supports and reaffirms the Kamehameha Schools’ admission policy.
Resolution 430 – Council (1/7); grant for Kohala Center for a community screening of Keeper of the Bay at Kahilu Theatre.
Resolution 431 – Council (1/7); grant for North Kohala Community Resource Center to assist with expenses related for the King Kamehameha Day Celebration.
Resolution 432 – Council (1/7); grant for Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service to assist with veterinary care and spay/neuter services.
Resolution 433 – Council (1/7); grant for Friends of the Future to support Tutu’s House.
Bill 63 – postponed measure; still at first Council reading (1/7); allows residential use in mixed commercial and light industrial zoning.
Bill 103 – final Council reading (1/7); supports aging farmers by establishing property tax relief after demonstrating commitment to agricultural production.
Bill 107 – final Council reading (1/7); administrative updates to the Fire Code.
Captain William Derr was promoted as the new Hawaiʻi Police Department Captain for the North Kohala region, effective January 1st.
PUBLIC INPUT AND AGENDA SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
The Next Advisory Group Meeting will be held on Monday, February 2nd, 4:30pm, Senior Center.
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
