Kaʻū News Briefs July 11, 2024

  Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee voted Thursday to submit testimony to the Windward Planning 

Commission, recommending it review the Kaʻū CDP policies and testimony before deciding on approval or disapproval of the

Special Management Area permit for development at Punalu'u. Photo by Julia Neal

TESTIMONY WILL BE SENT REGARDING PUNALU'U DEVELOPMENT to the Windward Planning Commission, according to the vote taken at the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee on Thursday in Pāhala. The group voted to write a letter asking the Planning Commission to consider whether the proposed Special Management Permit proposed by Black Sand Beach, LLC aligns with policies of the Kaʻū Community Development Plan. Attached to the letter would be testimony from the public and an SMA permit proposal analysis by planner Ron Whitmore, who worked for the County to develop the Kaʻū CDP.
The development would include more than 200 units of condos and other units for short term rentals and residences, plus eateries and retail along with spa, tennis and golf course. There would be renovation of the golf course and existing structures on the property, which is more than 400 acres and all within the Special Management Area to protect the coast, which requires an SMA permit before taking next steps to proceed.

A poster from 2015, the County inviting public involvement in creating

 the  Kaʻū Community Development Plan, which is now a reference for

 policies concerning such developments as the Black Sand Beach, LLC

proposal at Punalu'u. See CDP at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.

gov/general-plan-community-planning/cdp/kau.

    Action Committee member Leinaala Enos recommended that the Action Committee send the testimony. She said it is the role of the Committee to study the Kaʻū CDP and to help guide compliance. She noted the many years of work by the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Committee and the time that County of Hawai'i spent to craft the Kaʻū CDP with extensive community involvement. She also noted the abundance of testimony given at recent public hearings and Action Committee meetings, most of it in opposition to the Punalu'u development.
    Elsa Kalanikauleleiaiwi Dedman, who is a plaintiff in a contested case opposing the resort, pointed to plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity and Hawaiians who have lived at Punalu'u and whose ancestors lived there. 

    The plaintiffs call for the Planning Commission to require a new Environmental Impact Statement and a new shoreline setback study before considering the SMA approval. The last shoreline study at Punalu'u was over 40 years ago.

    Action Committee Chair Jason Masters said that the Kaʻū CDP recommends a quarter mile setback from the coast for development and stated that there are proposed commercial enterprises next to Black Sand Beach that are not set back a quarter mile.
    Former County Council member Guy Enriques referred to the Kaʻū Community Development Plan and said it is "black and white" that the proposed development is not in line with the policies of the Kaʻū CDP.
    Action Committee member Babette Morrow said that construction of affordable housing is missing from the developer's proposal but is one of the policies recommended by Kaʻū CDP when considering development proposals. She noted that she and Masters have been studying Kaʻū CDP policies and also an analysis by planner Whitmore in preparation for drafting the letter to the Planning Commission.

    Citizens speaking at the Action Committee meeting also called for protection of the endangered hawksbill turtles that nest and the green sea turtles that rest at Punalu'u.

     Black Sand Beach, LLC planning consultant Daryn Arai asked that the Action Committee send him  and the development group a copy of the proposed testimony and attachments to the Windward Planning Commission before it is finalized so that the developers can answer to concerns and give comments. Representatives of the Planning Department said the draft will be included with the agenda of the next Action Committee meeting and available online to everyone.

     The Action Committee said another meeting will be held in August to finalize the testimony to the Windward Planning Commission.

     See more on the meeting and the Whitmore analysis, as well as more from the developer, in future Kaʻū News Briefs. See the Kaʻū CDP at 

https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/cdp/kau.

    Other agenda items, including a proposed water bottling plant in Pāhala and evacuation routes for Green Sands neighborhood were deferred to the next meeting, which will be held in Nāʻālehu.

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.

Wehilei will perform at a free back to school concert on Sunday, July 28 at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nāʻālehu. Her music includes
 the song and album Music Heals the Soul, and songs Movin On and In the Mood. The event begins at noon.
  Image from Music Heals the Soul by Wehilei

WEHILEI LIM-RYDER WILL HEADLINE A FREE BACK TO SCHOOL CONCERT for Kaʻū youth on Sunday, July 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nāʻālehu, adjacent to Punalu'u Bakeshop.

    Coordinating the event is Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder. It will also feature Keiki of Halau Hula O Leionalani. Sponsor is Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai'i. 

    Keiki will receive colorful school backpacks autographed by Wehilei. Free hotdogs and water will be available to keiki.

    Wehilei is composer of hit songs and recipient in 2023 of Na Hoku Hanohano awards for Single of the Year and Most Promising Artist of the Year. Her music includes the song and album Music Heals the Soul, and songs Movin On and In the Mood.

    Wehilei is granddaughter of Debbie Ryder and daughter of Lorna Lim, who is known for her renditions of Pua Olena and Ku'uipo, of the Lim Family of musicians. Weihilei is also daughter of Wailau Ryder, the Hawaiian Slack-key artist and music producer. She has traveled to perform throughout Hawai'i, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, as well as the mainland.

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.

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Kaʻū News Briefs July 10, 2024

PUNALU'U SMA, PĀHALA WATER BOTTLING PLANT AND EVACUATION ROUTES FOR GREEN SANDS neighborhood are all on the agenda for Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee on Thursday, July 11. The meeting is at 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.
    Public testimony on the agenda items is limited to three minutes per item per person. According to the agenda, the Action Committee will have discussion and decision making on submitting testimony to the Windward Planning Commission regarding the proposed Special Management Area permit for Black Sand Beach, LLC's proposed development at Punalu'u.
    The CDP Action Committee is also scheduled to discuss hazard mitigation and evacuation routes Green Sands Subdivision.
    Another topic on the agenda is the planned Pāhala Water Bottling Facility on the old sugar plantation mill site.

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.

MAMAKI TEA, GROWN IN WOOD VALLEY, IS A KEY INGREDIENT IN A NEW SORBET produced by Shaka Tea Hawai'i and Asato Family Shop. It will be introduced this Friday at Puainako KTA in Hilo from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again at Foodland Farms Ala Moana on O'ahu on July 20 at 11 a.m.

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.

HAWAI'I COFFEE ASSOCIATION ADVISES KA'U COFFEE FARMERS on two new truth in labeling measure that Gov. Josh Green recently signed into law. Chris Manfredi, Government Affairs Coordinator for HCA, said the organization strongly supported the legislation. At the signing, Kaʻū Coffee Mill representative Jeff Clark and Kaʻū's state Senator Dru Kanuha were in attendance.
    Regarding Act 198, the HCA announcement says:
    "While the original form of the bill was for 100% Hawaii-grown coffee to be used in products that use Hawaii's coffee growing regions on packaging and in advertising, a compromise was reached at a 51% minimum blend ratio.
    "This is part of an ongoing HCA effort to protect Hawai'i's coffee producers from the introduction of poor quality and foreign-grown coffee into the supply chain. The HCA believes that poor quality blends and counterfeit coffee that use Hawaii's origin names

Gov. Josh Green with coffee industry representatives, including

 Kaʻū Coffee MIll's Jeff Clark and Kaʻū's state Senator Dru Kanuha.

 The Governor signed laws protecting the integrity of Hawai'i coffee labeling.

Photo from HCA

undermine the generations of producers who continue to work to build Hawaii's coffee brands with high quality and integrity.
    "What this means for you - If you sell 100% Hawaii-grown coffee there will be no change as the results of this law.
    If you sell blends containing foreign-grown coffee, on and after July 1, 2027 your blends will be required to contain at least 51% Hawaii-grown coffee to be in compliance.
    "We are currently communicating with Hawai'i Department of Agriculture about the implementation and enforcement of this law, including its impacts on 'All Hawaiian"'blends, and will continue to update you."
    Regarding Act 211, HCA reports, "This truth-in-labeling measure was not an HCA initiative however we did support it and offered our amendments over time. It requires that coffee origins be better disclosed

on the label and in advertising."
    For more on its requirements, implementation and enforcement, visit the state Department of Agriculture post at
https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nnr2418coffeelabelinglaw/
For retail information and to report possible mislabeling or non-compliance, email the HDOA’s Measurement Standards Branch at: hdoa.ms.labeling@hawaii.gov or call (808) 832-0690.

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Kaʻū News Briefs July 9, 2024

An attendee at a public meeting in Pāhala on Tuesday, regarding assistance for creating affordable housing and other community infrastructure through federal Housing & Urban Development funding, photographs a map showing all of  Kaʻū and east Hawai'i qualifying by census tracts as Low/Moderate Income Areas. Photo by Julia Neal

 ALL OF KAʻŪ IS A LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME AREA, according to the U.S. Census Tracts. It qualifies for assistance with affordable housing, community infrastructure and other help from the federal Housing & Urban Development agency and its numerous subsidiaries and programs. That was the message from the County of Hawai'i Office of Housing & Community Development agency, which sent its representatives to Kaʻū on Tuesday to start a series of regional community outreach meetings around the island.
    The meetings are held for community members to give their input on community needs to assist the County to qualify for funding of HUD Community Development Block Grants. The County is preparing its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan to enhance the availability and affordability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
    The small group that attended the 1:30 p.m. meeting at Pāhala Community Center on Tuesday brought up housing for low income working people. One single mother with a child said she cannot qualify for 

Alisa Hanselman of County Housing & Community Development
was one of the presenters at the meeting to gather public
input for HUD funding. Photo by Julia Neal

many housing assistance programs because she makes too much money, but that income is not enough to cover renting a home and other living expenses. It is also not enough to buy any house. County representatives said her situation is known as ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed persons. ALICE families generally have more income than those who meet rquirments for HUD housing programs.
    Input to the County during the meeting included the need for housing for young families, and also for teachers, nurses, agricultural and National Park workers, as well as those who work in retail.
    While Pāhala, for example, is a town of modest homes with the rate of home ownership higher than the state average, there is still a housing need for young people wanting to stay and work here and to find their own place.

    To build new affordable dwelling units, HUD money would go to a nonprofit agency that builds affordable housing. Other financing would be sought and typically the HUD money would be one of the final pieces of the financing. Such projects usually take years to plan and finance, said the County representatives.
    A senior citizen said that senior housing where she lives won't allow her daughter and grandson to live there. She asked when affordable housing for younger people will be available.
    Smaller projects that could help with affordable housing include programs to renovate 
existing units. One incentive mentioned by County representatives is that landlords receive a property tax break if they commit to affordable housing. It was noted that there are many unoccupied homes in Kaʻū that, with renovation, could become part of the affordable housing solution.

    For new housing, it was noted that Habitat for Humanity, which involves future homeowners in building their own homes, receives federal funding through the County.
    It was also noted that there is no facility for homeless people in Kaʻū and that churches, non-profits and individuals often help those in need of housing.
    It was also mentioned that local people building additional dwelling units on properties already owned by them could contribute to solving the affordable housing problem. One of the challenges is paying for new septic systems for the properties, as use of old cesspools and the old plantation sewer lines would not be allowed.
    Qualifying renovations of existing homes to create affordable rentals can be done throughout Kaʻū 

Give suggestions for affordable housing
and other community improvements
through this County survey.

under HUD regulations. For construction of new units, however, there is a restriction. HUD is unable to provide financing for new dwellings in Lava Zones 1 and 2, which include all of Ocean View and land on the Kona side of South Point Road, plus a strip of land from Volcano to Punalu'u makai of Highway 11. The aim is to discourage new construction of dwellings in Lava Zones 1 and 2 but to help upgrade existing units. HUD funding can also be used to improve infrastructure that helps the communities in Lava Zones 1 and 2, such as park improvements or buying a firetruck.
    Community infrastructure mentioned included the need for new lighting for the ballparks, which have gone dark at Nāʻālehu and Pāhala. They also included a proposed dialysis center for  Kaʻū. County representatives suggested connecting with nonprofits to propose projects that would meet the needs of Kaʻū people. They noted that HUD money was used to improve accessibility to Pāhala Community Center and ballpark. Funds went toward buying a brush truck for firefighters in Kaū and improvements to volunteer fire stations in Na'alehu and Pāhala.
    Those who could not participate in the Kaʻū meeting can participate by zoom on Monday, July 15 at 5 p.m. Register at https://tinyurl.com/34rnx9tc. Also, see other meetings to attend, live, around the island at https://www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/grants-funding.
    A statement from the County says, "Persons unable to attend a meeting are encouraged to take the Survey of Housing and Community Development Needs and Priorities for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. This survey is part of the consultation process to hear the community's input on how federal dollars should be applied towards housing, special needs, homeless and community development priorities for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan.

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.

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