HILO, HI – March 22, 2025 – The Hawai’i County Council has approved several key ordinances in recent weeks, including amendments to the County’s operating budget and a zoning change in Hilo.
On March 19th, the council unanimously passed Ordinance 25-29 (Bill 33), amending Ordinance No. 24-32, the operating budget for the County of Hawai’i for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The vote was 7-0, with Council Members Galimba and Kimball absent.
Prior to that, on March 7th, the council approved three additional ordinances.
Ordinance 25-30 (Bill 16 Draft 2) passed with an 8-0 vote. This ordinance amends Ordinance No. 06-28, changing the district classification of a parcel in Ponahawai, South Hilo, from Agricultural (A-1a) to Neighborhood Commercial (CN-20). The property, identified by Tax Map Key: 2-3-034:018 (POR), is now zoned for neighborhood commercial use. This change allows for potential development of commercial activities within the area.
The council also approved Ordinances 25-31 (Bill 25) and 25-32 (Bill 26), both of which amend the County’s operating budget (Ordinance No. 24-32) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. These ordinances also passed with unanimous support of 8-0.
Council Member Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder was absent for the March 7th votes. No council members were excused from either meeting.
These ordinances signify the council’s ongoing efforts to manage the County’s budget and address evolving land use needs across the island. The budget amendments are expected to further refine the County’s financial plans for the remainder of the fiscal year, while the Hilo zoning change paves the way for potential economic development in the Ponahawai area.