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| Pahala residents Royden Okinishi, at left, and Dexter Lee, holding clipboard, at yesterday's archery tournament. Photo by Alan Moores |
A BILL REQUIRING SITE VISITS TO PLANNED SUBDIVISIONS is on the Planning Committee’s meeting agenda for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Hawai`i County’s Leeward Planning Commission recently forwarded it to the County Council with an unfavorable recommendation. Ka`u’s County Council Member Brenda Ford introduced Bill 182 in an attempt to prevent the Planning Department from approving projects that violate community development plans.
The Planning Commission’s opinion states, “To require a site inspection for every application is not a practical use of (Planning Department) staff time. Simple consolidation or small lot subdivisions may not require a site inspection.
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| Royden Okinishi aims his bow during yesterday's archery tournament that he helped organize. |
“With technological advancements, a number of software programs, such as Google Earth, Geographic Information Systems and Pictometry, are available to assist planners with identifying general characteristics of the affected property(ies) without having to physically inspect each site. Through these resources, a majority of the information required under Sections 23-63 to 23-66 of the Subdivision Code can be reasonably reviewed using existing resources without conducting a site inspection for each property.
“Further, current staffing levels within the Planning Department would make it impossible to conduct a site visit for every subdivision application submitted to the department. Again, accuracy of preparing a preliminary plat map is the responsibility of the applicant with revisions based on review by applicable agencies using their staff expertise.
“The Planning Department has two planners assigned to review and process all subdivision and consolidation applications islandwide. This is in addition to their other responsibilities. In 2013, the Planning Department received 107 subdivision applications and 31 consolidation applications. There is a great amount of work required by staff to review and process the subdivision and consolidation applications from time of submittal to issuance of final subdivision approval. The assigned planners review the preliminary plat to confirm if the information required under ... the Subdivision Code have been identified and noted or depicted on the preliminary plat map. With the current upswing in our economy, we anticipate that subdivision applications will continue to increase.”
Planning Program Manager Daryn Arai offered a suggestion to the County Council to consider an amendment that would require that the preliminary plat map also be prepared by a licensed engineer or surveyor. Right now, the preliminary plat map does not have to be prepared by those professionals.
Commissioner Miles Miyasato responded, “The only reason I’m not including that is for me, it’s a little unfair for someone to pay for that expense, not even at a preliminary point, so I would … leave that up to the Council if they want to put that in, but for me, I feel that’s a little unfair to incur those expenses.”
See hawaiicounty.gov for more information and agenda.
“Further, current staffing levels within the Planning Department would make it impossible to conduct a site visit for every subdivision application submitted to the department. Again, accuracy of preparing a preliminary plat map is the responsibility of the applicant with revisions based on review by applicable agencies using their staff expertise.
“The Planning Department has two planners assigned to review and process all subdivision and consolidation applications islandwide. This is in addition to their other responsibilities. In 2013, the Planning Department received 107 subdivision applications and 31 consolidation applications. There is a great amount of work required by staff to review and process the subdivision and consolidation applications from time of submittal to issuance of final subdivision approval. The assigned planners review the preliminary plat to confirm if the information required under ... the Subdivision Code have been identified and noted or depicted on the preliminary plat map. With the current upswing in our economy, we anticipate that subdivision applications will continue to increase.”
Planning Program Manager Daryn Arai offered a suggestion to the County Council to consider an amendment that would require that the preliminary plat map also be prepared by a licensed engineer or surveyor. Right now, the preliminary plat map does not have to be prepared by those professionals.
Commissioner Miles Miyasato responded, “The only reason I’m not including that is for me, it’s a little unfair for someone to pay for that expense, not even at a preliminary point, so I would … leave that up to the Council if they want to put that in, but for me, I feel that’s a little unfair to incur those expenses.”
See hawaiicounty.gov for more information and agenda.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Ocean View Community Center offers teleconferencing of this week's county government meetings. |
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County government meetings this week. County Council holds a special meeting Monday at 9 a.m. for its second reading of the County Operating & Capital Improvement Project budgets.
Committees meet Tuesday, with Government Relations & Economic Development at 9 a.m.; Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, 9:15 a.m.; Finance, 9:30 a.m.; and Planning, 10:30 a.m.
Hawai`i County Council hold its regular meeting Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Videoconferencing is available at Ocean View Community Center.
Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
Committees meet Tuesday, with Government Relations & Economic Development at 9 a.m.; Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability, 9:15 a.m.; Finance, 9:30 a.m.; and Planning, 10:30 a.m.
Hawai`i County Council hold its regular meeting Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Videoconferencing is available at Ocean View Community Center.
Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Pahala resident Alan Moores with one of the three-dimensional targets at yesterday's archery tournament. Photo by Royden Okinishi |
KA`U ARCHERS PARTICIPATED in Hawai`i Island Archery Club’s One Shot One Kill tournament yesterday. Held a Kaohe Game Management Area on Saddle Road, archers shot at 28 three-dimensional unmarked targets, one arrow per target. Pahala residents Royden Okinishi and Dexter Lee attended, with Lee helping with the scorekeeping. Okinishi explained the set-up: “The targets are set at different yards from in your face – close to 60-some yards. They score your shooting by who can get closer to the kill zone rings on the targets, the x-ring being the smallest and working out 10 points, five points, and if you miss the whole thing, zero.”
Also participating was Pahala resident Alan Moores.Kapapala Ranch in Ka`u often hosts similar events, with the last one in February.
For more information, see facebook.com/hawaiiislandarcheryclub.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF HURRICANE SEASON, Hawai`i County urges Ka`u residents to create a family disaster plan. Information is available on county Civil Defense Agency’s webpage at hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense.
The guide lists steps to take in making a family disaster plan.
First, gather information about hazards.
Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management office and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans. Assess your risks and identify ways to make your home and property more secure.
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| Assembling a first-aid kit is part of hurricane preparedness. |
Next, meet with your family to create a disaster plan. Discuss your plan with your family. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.
Then, implement your plan.
Then, implement your plan.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone.
- Install safety features in your house, such as smoke alarm and fire extinguishers.
- Inspect your home for potential hazards (items that can move, fall, break or catch fire) and correct them.
- Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home.
- Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency number.
- Keep enough supplies in your home for at least seven days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important documents.
- A seven-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day);
- Non-perishable food;
- One change of clothing and shoes per person;
- Prescription and non-prescription medicines;
- One blanket or sleeping bag per person;
- First-aid kit;
- Battery-powered NWR and a portable radio;
- Emergency tools;
- Flashlight, extra batteries;
- Extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash;
- Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
See more about hurricane preparedness in future Ka`u News Briefs.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| A tour of Clayton Amemiya's pottery studio is set for Friday. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
HARDWARE SCIENCE TAKES PLACE at Na`alehu Public Library Tuesday at 3 p.m. The program uses simple equipment and tools available at hardware and craft stores to teach Science, Technology, Math, Art and Engineering concepts by providing hands-on experiences that can be replicated at home. Program is recommended for ages 8 years old and up.
Call 939-2442 for more information.
THERE ARE STILL A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE ON THE TOUR to Clayton Amemiya’s pottery studio during the firing of his unique anagama kiln. The Friday, June 6 tour will allow a close-up look into the process of wood firing. It takes place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Amemiya’s studio north of Hilo. Pieces from this firing will be included in Amemiya’s solo show opening July 26 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
The cost for this event is $55 and includes a tea cup from the artist.
Reservations are required.
For more information or to make reservations, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
THERE ARE STILL A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE ON THE TOUR to Clayton Amemiya’s pottery studio during the firing of his unique anagama kiln. The Friday, June 6 tour will allow a close-up look into the process of wood firing. It takes place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Amemiya’s studio north of Hilo. Pieces from this firing will be included in Amemiya’s solo show opening July 26 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
The cost for this event is $55 and includes a tea cup from the artist.
Reservations are required.
For more information or to make reservations, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. Click at bottom right to turn pages. |