NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ADVISORY GROUP
DATE: Monday, June 2nd, 2025, 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. 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
Miguel Elliot and Stefan Lautenslager of Living Earth Structures described the pallet-and-cob structures they build. We recommended they contact a recognized non-profit, such as Hope Services or Neighborhood Place of Puna, to work together on a “proof of concept.” This led to a discussion about the Kauhale Initiative for homelessness in Hawai’i and the difference between “unhoused,” “transitional housing,” and “qualified affordable housing.” We agreed that our group is focused on the latter.
No project updates for HICDC (Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation) Self-Help or Hawi Nani affordable housing developments.
No new updates on agricultural lots and housing.
The Kohala Community Land Trust (kohalacommunitylandtrust.org) was featured in an article on why community land trusts are gaining momentum, as they are a form of collective stewardship of permanently affordable housing. For KCLT, that housing is specifically for the people of Kohala and addresses our community’s needs. Everyone is welcome to volunteer!
In addition, KCLT is working hard to apply for two programs, one from the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust Foundation (NAREIT) by June 13th and the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Affordable Housing Production Program by Hawaii County by July 7th. We discussed deed restrictions, “Limited Warranty Deeds,” and life estates as options for the land trust to work with interested donors or sellers. Benefits would be a relief from renting and maintenance duties. We are keeping a list of empty properties needing repair in North Kohala that can potentially be “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 us if you would like to add a home to the list for consideration.
We agreed to update our community survey and gather new data this summer at the Kohala Reunion 4th of July Weekend 2025.
The next meeting will be June 11th, 9 am at Pomaika’I Café.
Agriculture
Aquacuture Park: Frank Cipriani is seeking endorsements and collaboration for his proposed aquaculture park, which he plans to develop on a 52-acre site near Upolu Airport. The park will feature a waste-to-energy plant designed to sequester CO2 and produce methanol for air systems. This plant will be fed by Jatropha, Moringa, and kukui nut, with the potential to also utilize organic waste.
The core of the park’s innovation lies in its PARMAX photo bioreactor system, which will cultivate microalgae for diverse applications, including animal feed, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. A prototype of this system has already been tested on Kauai. The aquaculture park will also integrate mariculture of marine diatoms, shellfish, and finfish, as well as freshwater microalgae culture and aquaponics.
Frank intends to transfer his technology to the state (PARMAX Bioreactor) and offer his consulting services during the park’s construction.
He is actively seeking endorsements from experts and institutions, having already secured some from industry colleagues. The project has potential financial backing and aims to transfer its intellectual property to the state of Hawaii. The PARMAX system is designed for industrial-scale upscaling, with modular construction and energy efficiency in mind. The park also aims to address future freshwater scarcity through its recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
Such an aquaculture park would be a legacy for Hawaii, with global impact and scalability. A positive peer review is crucial to fast-track the project and secure the necessary permits and state support.
Next meeting, June 26th, 5–6:30 pm, Kohala Resource Center.
Community Access (see maps on last page for locations)
Pololu Lookout
On May 3rd the 5th annual “A Lei O Pololu” was held with students of Loa’s program and the football teamThe valley access was closed, the lei crossed about 7/8 of the dunes.
Still waiting for landowner to get approval on getting portable potty at the old mule station.
The legislature did not fund the CIP for this area.
Hapu’u – Kapanaia. Dean Snelling students built the Hale O Kaili sign and will contact Lihikai when they are ready to install.
Hawaii Island Retreat. The revised survey map is on the county website.
It contains the designated 5-acre special permit area with the trail map.
Upolu Point – See Growth Management The 2% PONC fund has $25 million
Honoipu – See Growth Management
Mahukona. HILT needs locals to sign up and participate in clean-up days. HILT is finalizing the management plan which must be presented to government funders this fiscal year. It will then be shared more widely with community.
Kohala Coastal Trails Connectivity Group
Kailapa and Waimea Trails are willing to participate, as should someone from our group.
Kaiholena
NPS is doing monthly maintenance.
Kohala Shoreline
Letters were sent to county planning department about damage caused by the fire and bulldozing the fire breaks.
SMA planner did a site visit on May 19th and will be coordinating with NPS and State Trails.
Rails to Trails. The report is almost done, hopefully by May 9th.
New Items/Announcements
Kohala Reunion booth, Toni will update our brochure.
Maya Goodoni from Kohala has been selected for the vacant PONC position.
Next meeting June 4th, 4:40 pm Senior Center.
Growth Management
Pololu Rim subdivision: KP Holding/Surety applied for a variance asking for a 14-ft.-wide road (standard is 20 feet). Notice was published 5/13/25 and requesting comments by 5/19 (what happened to 30 days?)! The Planning Director said he would decide by June 16th. Toni to write a letter to Planning Director to request a deferral on this decision which is opposed by multiple groups for multiple reasons including CDP recommendation that the proposed subdivision private road is a public road to the Ditch Trail and Mountain Trail. Unusual circumstances will impact the area’s character, Protect Pololu and the Cultural Historical group needs to be notified. Toni will send the variance application to GM group and all relevant groups.
Hawinani subdivision: Current land (33 acres) is currently being leased by Richard Horn for pasture.
Kohala Theater and home owned by Sugiyama family is for sale. Two acres are able to be subdivided. Theater is apparently condemned as unsafe and will need to be torn down.
Upolu Point open space purchase is moving forward. No action needed at this time. County Council approved 88 acres owned by Ernest Moody. Next step is for groups to meet with the mayor and request a recommendation to the Finance Dept. The process will be slow due to understaffed property management and PONC offices.
Old Coast Guard Road The Mayor has decided against purchase after advice from his legal counsel. Feds went to the State and it was a “go.” The current hope is that DLNR would take it over because two monuments are only accessed by this road. BUT DLNR cannot own roads. Current support from Senator Tim Richards, who is in touch with Ed Sniffen, head of DOT, who may be convinced to take over the road. Private land owner will donate their property (road and parking lot) as soon as a department accepts it. Urgent now in case Trump staffing is halted. Worst case scenario: it will go to GSA and then access is lost forever.
Kohala Shoreline. The March site visit revealed serious damage due to the fire and erosion. Final approval is held up. Conditions are no longer what they were when SMA was approved. Public access group will not sign off due to the condition of the site. Alex Roy, the planner for the site will visit May 19th. Access group will review and get back to GM.
Next meeting is June 11th (Kamehameha Day), 5pm, Senior Center.
Health and Wellness/WRK
Keiki camp on June 2, 3 and 4 for ages 7-10 which will include first aid/CPR.
Angela Mulligan is starting a women’s group on June 9th from 5.30-8.30.
She is also holding a family game night at the Hub barn on June 29th from 4-7pm.
Lani suggested a Foster Grandparent program for parents living here without a support system or extended family.
She also mentioned the Starfish mentoring and monitoring program working with at-risk youth. Information available at https://hoolanapua.org/starfish-mentoring-program/
New discussion held on suggestion to have a place to make free fruit and vegetables available. Much surplus fruit goes to waste. Perishable food is discouraged for the Little food pantries.
Also suggested was to make available a safe place for house-less people. This could be discussed with the community police officer.
Next meeting June 20th, 4pm. NKCRC.
Kohala Culture & History Advisory Group (KCHAG).
Kohala Reunion. The group is preparing their table and displays.
- Songbook of Kohala songs,
- Kanikapila – musicians talk about song & sing- will also be combined as Talk Story Session
- Talk Story with Class Reunions – 1 per day. Need to reach out to each Class Reunion head. Still need to decide time. Boyd has contact sheet.
- Kūpuna Talk Story – at 10:30, 2:30, 5:30 on F & Sat; Sun 10:30 & 1:30. Compiled list of nominated kupuna.
- Kamehameha genealogy display.
- Kamehameha Schools sponsorship – make banner and other advertising materials.
- Flyers – digital & hard copy for around town, and put in Reunion swag bags with schedule of Talk Stories
Next meeting (was) June 2nd 10 am Walker Hall.
Parks, Roads, Erosion Control and View-planes (PREV)
Did not meet in May.
Next meeting is June 18th, 5 pm. Senior Center.
Utilities
Kohala Reunion. The group will share manning the NKCDP table and create a poster and handouts. The poster will highlight our accomplishments and issues that our subcommittee is presently working on. A handout will be available to recruit new members and solicit opinions on current issues of concern to the public.
Compostable Containers. An email was received from Libby Leonard expressing a need for commercial composting of compostable containers. Apparently, these compostable containers are not easily compostable in large quantities such as may be collected at farmer’s markets, restaurants or events.
Issues here are similar to those involved in a local green waste site. A site would be required. Heavy equipment and high temperatures are needed to break down large quantities of this material. Questions included the cost/benefit to a commercial enterprise, how the material would be gathered and what entities would use the compost.
Cesspool Deadline. Still waiting on Master Plan. Federal funding uncertainty is a factor whether grants would be available to offset costs to community septic upgrades.
Next meeting is June 18th, 3:30 pm. Senior Center.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Asking all Groups to prepare a table (or part of the AG table) at the Reunion next month. Consider a poster of major accomplishments, issues you are presently working on and approach to the future, This is also a good time for handouts and questionnaires to solicit public opinions on issues you are addressing. Good time to recruit new members too.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PUBLIC INPUT AND AGENDA SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
The Next Advisory Group Meeting will be Held on MONDAY July 7th, 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
