Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi – The County of Hawaiʻi Leeward Planning Commission has announced the agenda for its upcoming regular meeting, scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in person at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Council Chambers, Building A, located at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona.
The Commission is set to consider a range of new business items, including significant applications for amendments to Change of Zone ordinances, Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permits, and County Council-initiated zoning amendments.
Public Participation: The meeting is primarily an in-person event, with Leeward Planning Commissioners participating on site. However, as a courtesy, the Commission provides additional options for the public to view or testify remotely via Zoom. To provide verbal testimony via Zoom, registration is required prior to the meeting (link available in official notice). The meeting can also be viewed via YouTube (link available in official notice). It is important to note that the hearing may proceed if remote connections fail.
Written testimony must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, via email to LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov, mail, or drop-off at Planning Department offices in Hilo or Kona. Twelve copies are required for written testimony submitted at the meeting. All written testimony, regardless of time of receipt, will be made part of the permanent record. Separate testimony should be submitted for each item.
Meeting materials (board packets) are available for public inspection three business days before the meeting date during regular business hours at the Planning Department offices in Hilo and Kona, and online via the Planning Department website under ‘Board Packets’. This information can also be requested by emailing LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or calling (808) 961-8288.
Key New Business Items on the Agenda:
- 1. APPLICANT: HICDC (PL-REZ-2025-000079/AMEND PL-REZ-2024-000066): Application for an amendment to Condition M (Affordable Housing) and Condition N (Fair Share Contribution) of Change of Zone Ordinance No. 25-25. This ordinance previously reclassified a 14.321-acre portion of a larger 237.5-acre parcel from Agricultural-1 Acre (A-1a) to Single-Family Residential-10,000 square feet (RS-10). The property is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Waiula Drive, Kawaihae 2nd-Lanikepu, Waimea, South Kohala (TMK: (3) 6-2-001:075 (por.)).
- 2. APPLICANT: HICDC (PL-REZ-2025-000080/AMEND PL-REZ-2023-000054): Application for an amendment to Conditions K (Affordable Housing) and Condition I (Fair Share Contribution) of Change of Zone Ordinance No. 24-37. This ordinance previously amended Ordinance No. 10-101, which reclassified approximately 18.38 acres from Agricultural 20-acre (A-20a) to various Single Family Residential (RS-15, RS-10, RS-7.5) and Open zoning districts. The property is situated along the north (makai) side of the Akoni Pule Highway approximately 600 feet west of the Kohala High and Elementary School complex, Pahoa, North Kohala (TMK: (3) 5-5-019:025 and 027).
- 3. APPLICANT: SCOTT F. CHURCH AND JOHN TOTAH (FORMERLY HALE PACIFICA LLC) (PL-SMA-2025-000080): Application for a Special Management Area Use Permit to construct a two-story, single-family residence with a pool and related improvements on a 15,203-square foot shoreline parcel within the SMA. The property is located on the makai side of Aliʻi Drive, approximately 0.25 miles south of Lunapule Road, Kahului 2nd, North Kona (TMK: (3) 7-5-019:030).
- 4. APPLICANT: SCOTT F. CHURCH AND JOHN TOTAH (FORMERLY HALE PACIFICA LLC) (SMA 03-000007): Request to revoke Special Management Area Use Permit No. 03-000007. This permit was amended on January 18, 2018, to allow the development of a four-unit condominium building and related improvements on a 15,203-square-foot shoreline parcel within the SMA. The subject property is located on the makai side of Aliʻi Drive, approximately 0.25 miles south of Lunapule Road, Kahului 2nd, North Kona (TMK: (3) 7-5-019:030).
- 5. INITIATOR: COUNTY COUNCIL INITIATED (PL-CCI-2025-000011): This is a referral of Bill 52, a bill for an ordinance to amend Chapter 25 (Zoning), Articles 1, 4, and 5 of the Hawaiʻi County Code, relating to henneries. The purpose is to allow for henneries to be established in residential zoning districts under defined conditions, as they are not currently permitted.
- 6. INITIATOR: COUNTY COUNCIL INITIATED (PL-CCI-2025-000012): This is a referral of Bill 63, for an ordinance to amend Chapter 25 (Zoning), Article 5 of the Hawaiʻi County Code, relating to dwellings. The purpose is to allow for dwellings to be established in the industrial-commercial mixed use (MCX) districts under permitted uses, as they are not currently allowed.
- 7. DISCUSSION ON LETTERHEAD UPDATES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OLELO HAWAII INCLUSION: This item is a recommendation to the Mayor by Vice-Chair Noborikawa to include Olelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language) alongside English on letterheads for relevant departments and groups, such as the Planning Commission.
The Commission will also review and approve minutes from the May 15, 2025, meeting and hear statements from the public on agenda items. The Planning Director’s Report on Special Management Area (SMA) determinations and minor permits issued for May, June, and July 2025 will also be presented.
The Leeward Planning Commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the County Council Chambers in Kona.
Anyone requiring auxiliary aid or service, or other accommodation due to a disability, should contact the Planning Department at (808) 961-8288 or LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov as soon as possible, or at least five working days prior to the meeting date.