Kaʻū News Briefs July 30, 2024

The condominium association will ask again for contested case approval regarding development
at on the Punalu'u property owned by Black Sand Beach, LLC. Photo from Trip Advisor

THE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION at SeaMountain at Punalu'u will go before the Windward Planning Commission this Thursday, Aug. 1 in its second attempt to be become a party in a contested case regarding the Special Management Area permit proposal for development by Black Sand Beach, LLC. 
    The Colony One Association of Apartment Owners contends that infrastructure at Punalu'u for fire suppression, sewage and potable water should be repaired before consideration of issuing the SMA permit. The Association states that there are long-standing promises made to the Public Utilities Commission to make repairs.
    Black Sand Beach, LLC says that going forward with its project is necessary in order to fund the repairs and upgrades. Additional condos, cottages, retail entities, eateries and a wellness center are proposed. Fees from the existing 100 units of housing and condos that relay on the infrastructure could not support the repairs and upgrades for the sprawling system that was built to accommodate thousands of units on a resort property, according to the developers.

Black Sand Beach, LLC says it plans to keep development 1,000 feet from the shoreline to protect
the natural resources at Punalu'u. Photo from project website at punaluublacksandbeach.com

    The Windward Planning Commission accepted two other entities as parties in a contested case hearing regarding the same SMA permit request. They joined together for mediation that is ongoing with the developers and County of Hawai'i. They are Center for Biological Diversity and community group, ‘Iewe Hanau o Ka ‘Āina,

    Should the Planning Commission approve the condo association contested case, a settlement conference between the parties would be held. If a settlement isn't reached, a contested case would go forth. Should the contested case proceed, it could be a lengthy process. A hearings officer who operates as a judge, must be chosen, briefing deadlines set, and the quasi-judicial trial held. At the end, the hearings officer makes a final determination, which will be sent to the Windward Planning Commission, which can choose whether to accept the recommendation as it decides whether to approve the SMA permit.

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GRANTS TO PRESERVE SPECIAL PROPERTIES are available from the state Legacy Land Conservation Program. 

   In Kaʻū, Legacy funds and money from the county, other government agencies and private donors have purchased large swaths of Kaʻū Coast lands and some mauka lands. Trust for Public Land and Hawai'i Land Trust are two of the organizations that have been involved in helping to fund land preservation.

     Lands conserved with the state Legacy Land funding in Kaʻū are: Kaunāmano in 2020, Waikapuna in 2018, Kahuku Coastal Property in 2012, Kāwā II in 2008, Kāwā I in 2007 and Kipuka Kanohia for Cave Conservancy in Ocean View in 2007.

     Applications for 2025 Legacy Land funds are due Oct. 11. Grants totaling about $6.7 million are
expected to be available statewide through a competitive process that includes consultation with state agencies and legislators, investigations and recommendations from Department of Land & Natural Resources' Legacy Land Conservation Commission. Approvals are required from the Board of Land & Natural Resources and the Governor.

Attributes for land to be considered for Legacy Land funding.
Image from state Legacy Land Program.

    The aim of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources program is "to preserve and protect land through acquisition that has natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, cultural, agricultural production, or historic value. This includes park and trail systems that provide access to such land.”
    State agencies, counties and nonprofit land conservation organizations are eligible to apply.
    See the Legacy Land website at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/llcp/.
   The Legacy Land website says that "Despite the regulation of land use and development in Hawai‘i, lands that hold important resource values are often unprotected, inaccessible, and threatened with damage and destruction. The Legacy Land Conservation Program provides grants to community organizations and government agencies that strive to purchase and protect land that shelters exceptional, unique, threatened, and endangered resources.
    "The State of Hawai‘i dedicates a portion of its annual revenue from real estate conveyance taxes to the Land Conservation Fund. Each year the State Legislature provides the Legacy Land Conservation Program with some of the money held in the Fund. The Legacy Land Conservation Program distributes this money through a competitive grants process for purchasing land and conservation easements."   

    The program office can be contacted via email: legacyland@hawaii.gov, or telephone at 808-586-0921.

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Maunaiki in the Kaʻū Desert. NPS Photo

INVASIVE TREE CONTROL AND MAPPING IN THE KAʻŪ DESERT between sea level and 4,000 feet will be conducted with flight operations on Aug. 7 fom 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. by Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. On Aug. 7 and 9, the Park will conduct ungulate survey in the Kahuku Unit between 4,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation and for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring on Mauna Loa, between 4,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation.

Goats in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
NPS photo

    On Aug 20 and 28, the Park will conduct flight operations between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. for ungulate survey in the Kahuku Unit between 4,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation.
    The Park announced that USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
    The announcement says, "The Park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities."

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HAWAI'I IS TENTH WORST STATE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, according to a WalletHub study released Tuesday. It came in the bottom five for resources and economic support of early childhood education. WalletHub reports that Arkansas is the state with the best early education system, and one contributing factor is that parents do not have co-payment fees for child care. Arkansas spends over $13,000 per child enrolled in preschool each year and requires schools to be audited to make sure that they properly meet regulations. In addition, Arkansas has the fourth-highest share of 
three-year-olds enrolled in pre-K, pre-K special education or Head Start programs." See full report and rankings of all the states at
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-and-worst-early-education-systems/62668.

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The Reunion features the screening of a PBS film Ka'u Sugar,
A Town Remembers on the history of the sugar plantation
 and the closing of the mill in 1996. It will also feature a film 
on history of the local coffee industry.

5,500 in the mail, 2,000 on the streets Volcano to Miloli'i
 See www.kaunews.com

Kaʻū News Briefs July 29, 2024

A hiker on Chain of Craters Road. Photo by Yvonne Baur

CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD REOPENED TO VEHICLES in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park late Monday afternoon. No noticeable expansion in cracks caused by last week's seismic swarm were detected by park staff.
    However, the Maunaulu parking lot and access road are temporarily closed to vehicles due to significant cracks and buckling in the pavement. The park engineer and road crew will continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of the roadway. In the meantime, bicyclists and pedestrians may use the Maunaulu access road.
    Motorists on Chain of Craters Road are advised to drive safely and obey all posted speed limit signs. Motorcyclists should use extra caution and expect bumps and rough road conditions. Parking is only allowed in designated parking spaces and pullouts. Visitors are reminded not to park along roadways.
    The roadway cracks formed following an intrusion of magma into the Upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano between July 22 and 25. Signs are in place to warn visitors of the new hazards.
    Kīlauea is not erupting, and according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, additional seismic swarms can occur with little or no warning and result in another magma intrusion, or an eruption of lava.
Park visitors are advised to plan ahead and check the park website: www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

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HAWAI'I ISLAND'S GENERAL PLAN 2045 is released by County of Hawai'i as a Final Recommended Draft. It is available to read at cohplanning.konveio.com. It's a comprehensive long-term policy document aimed at guiding the physical, economic, environmental, and sociocultural development of Hawaiʻi County over the next 25 years. Online workshops, public meetings and additional public input will be taken into this Fall.

    The General Plan refers to the Kaʻū Community Development Plan in detail. It suggests places for economic growth and housing and shows Ocean View as a low density Urban area.

    The plan names special places to steward: Volcano area including National Park, View of Mauna Loa from Volcano-Kaʻū Highway, Scenic view of shoreline between Pahala and Punalu'u, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, Ninole Cove & Springs, Kawa Bay & Springs, Honu'apo, Na Pu'u -  Enuhe, Makanau, Kaiholena and One, Waiohinu Park, South Point (Ka Lae), Mahana Bay, Waiakukini, Ka'alu'alu Bay, Lava Flows of 1868. 1887 and 1907, Manuka Bay and Pohue Bay.

    It has much data and planning for recreation, agriculture, housing, infrastructure and transportation.

    "Sustainability means responsibly safeguarding our environment, resources, and culture so that future generations can thrive," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "The General Plan is our roadmap, guiding us to achieve this vital balance. It ensures that our actions as a community align with our commitment to future generations. We take pride in the work accomplished by our community thus far and eagerly anticipate

further collaboration to create a plan as diverse and vibrant as the communities we serve."

    Background and Purpose: The Draft General Plan 2045 serves as the County's blueprint for sustainable development and community resilience. It integrates policies across various sectors, emphasizing the conservation of natural resources, climate change adaptation, urban design, infrastructure development, and economic growth. This plan is the culmination of extensive community input and strategic planning efforts to ensure the wellbeing and prosperity of Hawaiʻi County residents.
    Key Elements: Biocultural Stewardship: Ensure natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed, preserved, and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment.
    Climate Change & Health: Support a just transition to climate resilience by addressing the causes and impacts of climate change through incorporating equitable climate mitigation and adaptation priorities into policies, programs, infrastructure, and decision-making.
    Sustainable Development: Apply progressive land use strategies and place-based practices to direct and manage growth with a focus on providing sustainable public infrastructure, affordable housing, public safety, education, health, and social services.
    Thriving Economy: Promote a diverse, regenerative, and innovative economy, that maintains a high quality of life for residents with a focus on increasing local economic opportunities, maintaining a robust agricultural industry, and ensuring a responsible visitor industry that respects the uniqueness of the island.
    Planning Process: The Draft General Plan 2045 was developed through a detailed and inclusive process involving community engagement and technical analysis. Key milestones include:

    2015: Gathering preliminary data and community input. Analyzing conditions and identifying issues.
    2016-2017: Assessing potential future outcomes and developing scenarios like Baseline, Build-Out, and Trend. Conducted numerous public workshops to refine goals and policies based on community input.
    2018-2020: Development of policy language based on input and analysis. Releasing the first draft of policy language, focusing on economic progress, environmental preservation, and community strengthening.
    2021-2023: Further development of draft material based on 2019/2020 public and agency input. Updating the draft to include a detailed section narratives, vision, goals, objectives, policies, and actions.
    2024: Refining and finalizing revisions based on 2023 public and agency input. Conducting final workshops and initiation of the adoption process.
    Throughout the comprehensive review process, outreach has included: 16  Public Workshops; seven Council Resolutions; sixTopic Specific Public Workshops; 18 Public Notices/Press Releases; 27 Community Group/Roadshow events; 37 Public Agency Meetings; 47 Action Committee Meetings; 30; Large Landowner Meetings, 33 County Council Updates; 650 Public Comments in 2015;  more than 4020 in public participants; 4000 Public Comments in 2019 and 3,500 Public Comments in 2023.

    More information about the overall planning process including past drafts, public comments, reference materials, analysis reports, and more is available on the Planning Department website: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp
    Next Steps: The Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 is available for review and comment online, and copies are going out to local libraries. The County of Hawaiʻi encourages all residents to review the GP and provide feedback through Konveio, an interactive online platform. The link to the Konveio site is: cohplanning.konveio.com.
    In-person Public Informational Workshops will include a formal presentation of the Final Recommended Draft and will be held:

    Aug. 28 at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building A from 2 p.m. to 4 p,m

   Aug. 29 at Arc of Hilo, 1099 Waianuenue Ave. from 2 p.m.  to 4 p.m.
    Online workshop opportunities will be available with more information to come soon.
    Following the guidelines set out by the current 2005 General Plan, the public will have 21 days after the last workshop to share their comments with the Planning Director. Once this period ends, the Final Recommended Draft and all public comments will be packaged and sent to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions. They will have 150 days to review and provide their recommendations to the County Council. We invite all community members to join in and share their thoughts during this process.
    To stay informed about upcoming events, progress, and the overall process, you may sign up for the Department's eNews at www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/connect.
    For more information about the overall GP Comprehensive Review process, visit our website at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp.
    Contact the Planning Department at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720, via phone at (808) 961-8288, or email at GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

The Reunion features the screening of a PBS film Ka'u Sugar,
A Town Remembers on the history of the sugar plantation
 and the closing of the mill in 1996. It will also feature a film 
on th history of the local coffee industry.

5,500 in the mail, 2,000 on the streets Volcano to Miloli'i
 See www.kaunews.com