Hawai’i County, HI – The Hawai’i County Council passed two ordinances, 25-33 and 25-34, on March 19, 2025, during its latest council meeting. The ordinances relate to allowable areas for special activity permits and the use of general excise and use tax surcharge funds, respectively.
Ordinance 25-33: Special Activity Permits
Ordinance 25-33 amends Chapter 22 of the Hawai’i County Code, specifically Section 22-3.3.2, regarding locations eligible for special activity permits. The amendment adds the makai (ocean) side of Ane Keohokalole Highway, between the West Hawai’i Civic Center and the “Allied Quarry” access road, to the list of allowable areas.
The vote on Ordinance 25-33 was 5-2, with Council Members Hustace, Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, and Chair Inaba voting in favor. Council members Kagiwada and Villegas voted against the ordinance. Council members Galimba and Kimball were absent.
Ordinance 25-34: General Excise and Use Tax Surcharge
Ordinance 25-34 amends Chapter 2, Article 45, Section 2-235, of the Hawai’i County Code, focusing on the use of funds generated by the General Excise and Use Tax Surcharge. The ordinance codifies changes that took effect on July 1, 2024, following the passage of Act 30, Session Laws of Hawai’i 2024. This act authorizes the County of Hawai’i to utilize the surcharge for County-appropriated housing infrastructure costs.
The ordinance specifies that surcharge funds will be used for:
- Operating or capital costs of public transportation, including roadways, buses, trains, ferries, pedestrian paths, and bicycle paths.
- Expenses related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 concerning public transportation.
- County-appropriated housing infrastructure costs, with the provision that these costs shall not be imposed or transferred to housing developers if surcharge revenues are utilized. Housing infrastructure costs include pedestrian paths, sidewalks near public schools, water, drainage, sewer, waste disposal, waste treatment systems connecting to County infrastructure, roadways, curbs, gutters, and related financing costs.
- Other uses as authorized by State statute.
Ordinance 25-34 passed with a vote of 5-1. Council Members Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, and Chair Inaba voted in favor, while Council member Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder voted against it. Council members Galimba, Kimball, and Villegas were absent.
These ordinances represent adjustments to existing county codes, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage land use and funding priorities within Hawai’i County. The changes to the General Excise Tax Surcharge aims to address housing infrastructure needs.
