O‘AHU GENERAL PLAN

Our Island, Our Future

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Department of Planning and Permitting City and County of Honolulu

O‘AHU GENERAL PLAN

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Department of Planning and Permitting City and County of Honolulu November 2021

CITY COUNCIL CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU HONOLULU, HAWAI'I

No. 21-23, CD1

RESOLUTION

TO ADOPT THE REVISED GENERAL PLAN FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

WHEREAS, Section 6-1508 of the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu 1973 (Amended 2017 Edition), as amended (the "Charter"), requires that the General Plan contain statements of the general social, economic, environmental, and design objectives to be achieved for the general welfare and prosperity of the people of the City, and the most desirable population distribution and regional development pattern for the City; and

WHEREAS, the current General Plan was adopted in 1977 by Resolution 77-238 as the successor to two previous general plans, and new editions incorporating adopted amendments were published in 1979, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 2002; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Planning and Permitting ("DPP") concluded an eight-year comprehensive review of the existing General Plan, which included topic research and reports, community dialogue, interviews, topic specific focus groups, and informal surveys, in accordance with Charter Section 6-1510, which requires input from executive branch agencies and the general public, and consultation with persons responsible for development activities of other governmental and private organizations operating within the City; and

WHEREAS, the DPP released two public review drafts of the revised General Plan, resulting in two public comment periods in 2012 and 2017; the 1,488 comments received were carefully considered by the DPP in preparing a recommended revised General Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Council wishes to approve the revised General Plan, as further revised by the Council; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu that, pursuant to Charter Section 6-1511, the Council hereby approves the General Plan for the City and County of Honolulu (November 2021), attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference; which General Plan supersedes all previous editions and amendments thereto; and

CITY COUNCIL

CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU HONOLULU, HAWAI'I

No. 21-23, CD1

RESOLUTION

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Mayor, the Managing Director, and the Director of Planning and Permitting.

DATE OF INTRODUCTION:

January 8, 2021 Honolulu, Hawai'i

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:

Deputy Corporation Counsel DUANE W.H. PANG

APPROVED this 14TH day of JANUARY, 2022.

RICK BLANGIARDI, Mayor City and County of Honolulu

INTRODUCED BY:

Brandon Elefante (br)

Councilmembers

EXHIBIT A

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

The General Plan for the City and County of Honolulu is a comprehensive statement of objectives and policies that sets forth the long-range aspirations of Oʻahu’s residents and the strategies to achieve them. It is the first tier of and lays the foundation for a comprehensive planning process that addresses physical, social, cultural, economic and environmental concerns affecting the City and County of Honolulu. This planning process serves as the coordinative means by which the City government provides direction to the population projected for Oʻahu.

The City’s planning process is comprised of three distinct tiers. As the first tier of planning, the General Plan establishes policy guidance for Oʻahu as a whole, with all subsequent community development plans, policy plans, and implementing regulations of the City and County of Honolulu required to be consistent with the General Plan. The second tier consists of the eight regional Development Plans (DPs) and Sustainable Communities Plans (SCPs). These plans relate to specific regions of the island, and (1) conceptually describe the pattern of land use desired for the region, (2) provide guidance for functional infrastructure planning, and (3) identify areas within the DP/SCP boundary that might benefit from more detailed planning. The third tier is comprised of the specific mechanisms to implement the two higher levels of the planning hierarchy. These include the implementing ordinances and regulations (i.e., the Land Use Ordinance and Zoning Maps, the Subdivision Rules and Regulations, and the City’s Capital Improvement Program), public facilities and infrastructure functional plans, and special area plans that give specific guidance for specific portions of a DP or SCP area.

Figure 1. Diagram of the Planning Process for the City and County of Honolulu

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Since the adoption of the General Plan in 1977, various plan amendments have been made over the years, including this update. However, the basic themes and directions for growth remain, and require continued pursuit. This revised edition of the General Plan reinforces this planning concept. It supersedes all previous editions.¹

The City and County of Honolulu was incorporated as a city in 1907, and today encompasses the entire island of O‘ahu and also the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The city of Honolulu, which is the largest city in the State, is also the State capital.

O‘ahu is the third largest of the eight main Hawaiian islands, with a total land area of approximately 600 square miles and nearly 230 miles of shoreline. Nicknamed the “Gathering Place,” O‘ahu is the most populous and developed island, and is the island that has experienced the greatest population growth and development transformation since western contact. With a resident population that increased from about 60,000 in 1900, to 1,013,500 in 2020, O‘ahu accounts for approximately 70% of the state’s total population. In addition, O‘ahu reports the highest number of visitors per year.

No other Hawaiian island offers the contrast and diversity in urban, rural, and natural landscapes as O‘ahu. O‘ahu’s urban core, stretching from Wai‘alae-Kāhala to Pearl City, is home to the State’s financial center (downtown Honolulu), the State’s most well-known visitor destination (Waikīkī), and the State’s main commercial harbor and international airport. Beyond the urban core, suburban and rural communities are surrounded by scenic vistas and open spaces, including active farmlands. The Ko‘olau and Wai‘anae Mountain Ranges, other geological landmarks such as Diamond Head, and the island’s shorelines and beaches contribute significantly to O‘ahu’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and cultural heritage. Although future population projections indicate a slower rate of growth in the future due to an aging population and mature economy, O‘ahu will continue to maintain its prominence as the State’s economic, political, and population center.

PREAMBLE

Purpose of the General Plan

The General Plan for the City and County of Honolulu, a requirement of the City Charter, is a written commitment by the City government to a future for the island of O‘ahu which it considers desirable and attainable. The Charter assigns the responsibility for the preparation of the General Plan and its revisions to the Department of Planning and Permitting. The General Plan and revisions are adopted by the Honolulu City Council as a resolution.

Under the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu, Chapter 15, Section 6-1508, the General Plan shall set forth the City’s objectives and broad policies for the long-range development of the island. It shall contain statements of the general social, economic, environmental and design objectives to be achieved for the general welfare and prosperity of the people of O‘ahu and the most desirable population distribution and regional development pattern.

The General Plan is a two-fold document. First, it is a statement of the long-range physical, social, cultural, economic, environmental, and design objectives for the general welfare and prosperity of the people of O‘ahu. These objectives contain both statements of desirable conditions to be sought over the long run and statements of desirable conditions which can be achieved within an approximate 20-year time horizon. Second, the General Plan is a statement of broad policies which facilitate the attainment of the objectives therein.

The General Plan is a guide for all levels of government, private enterprise, neighborhood and citizen groups, organizations, and individual citizens. It is intended to guide land use and development decisions and to influence actions in 11 key areas:

(1) Population; (2) Balanced economy; (3) The natural environment and resource stewardship; (4) Housing and communities; (5) Transportation and utilities; (6) Energy systems; (7) Physical development and urban design; (8) Public safety and community resilience;

(9) Health and education; (10) Culture and recreation; (11) Government operations and fiscal management.

Content of the General Plan

The 11 subject areas provide the framework for the City's expression of public policy concerning the needs of the people and the functions of government. The objectives and policies reflect the comprehensive planning process of the City addressing all aspects of the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Oʻahu.

In preparing the statement of objectives and policies, the equitable distribution of social benefits was held to be of paramount importance. It shall continue to be of paramount importance in the pursuit and implementation of these objectives and policies.

A future which is sustainable is also of great importance for an island community interested in the current and future well-being of its people. The principles of sustainability recognize that there are limits to the complex network of systems (environmental, economic and social) that define our lifestyles and overall well-being. A sustainable Honolulu means having the capacity to support the current generation’s basic resource needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To do this, the City shall seek to find the appropriate balance and synthesis of the major elements of sustainability that are essential to the creation of a sustainable¹ place:

• Environmental protection;
• Economic health;
• Social equity.

As the 21st century continues to unfold, the necessary movement to foster sustainability will influence decisions about future land use, growth, and economic development on Oʻahu. Achieving sustainability requires recognizing the relationships and linkages between all resources within defined boundaries similar to the values of the traditional Native Hawaiian ahupuaʻa land use management system that encourages stewardship, and compatible principles from contemporary watershed management. Sustainability in this context requires active conservation of the island’s limited natural resources and other basic resources, and consideration for the health of the environment and the

economy, in relation to the community’s overall well-being. It also requires resilience in the face of the climate crisis, and forward-looking strategies to adapt and thrive, despite the challenges we encounter now and into the future. Objectives and policies that support the major elements of sustainability are interwoven into each of the 11 key areas of the General Plan.

Examples of what sustainability means in practice are:

• Direct action to adapt, mitigate, and respond to an ongoing climate crisis with resilience;
• Compact and mixed-use development patterns that encourage higher densities to conserve energy, resources, and prevent urban sprawl;
• Preservation and protection of agricultural, natural, cultural, and open space resources;
• Multi-modal transportation networks and rail transit-oriented developments to reduce automobile use;
• Efficient building design and technology to reduce water and energy consumption and pollution of all types;
• Greater public awareness of and participation in actions to reduce waste and excessive consumption;
• Increased participation and a broader scope of on-island recycling and waste stream reduction;
• Use of renewable energy sources to end dependence on imported fossil fuels to align with State and City climate and energy goals;
• Greater production and consumption of locally-grown food and locally produced products;
• Economic diversification that emphasizes the well-being of Oʻahu’s residents and is resilient to changes in global conditions;
• Awareness that the collective “social capital” and the aloha spirit within Oʻahu’s communities is vital to maintaining a strong and healthy society.

The 11 key areas designed to address these challenges and directly improve the quality of life for Oʻahu residents are summarized in the following section.

POPULATION

The population objectives and policies encompass two distinct thrusts. The first is to provide for our existing and anticipated population in a manner that respects the limits of Oʻahu’s natural resources, protects the environment, and minimizes social, cultural, economic, and environmental disruptions. This includes the active management of tourism to prevent visitor impacts from overwhelming the quality of life for our island community. The second is to maintain a pattern of population distribution that will allow people to live, work, and play in harmony. To achieve these two aims, the City and County of Honolulu employs a policy of directed growth (See Chapter I. Objective B, Policy

4). A map at the end of Chapter I conceptually shows the development pattern on Oʻahu in relation to this policy. The distribution of residential population percentages in Objective B, Policy 4 and the associated map are not regulatory, but are guides to population growth for each DP and SCP area.

BALANCED ECONOMY

The objectives and policies for balanced economic activity attempt to address the needs for an adequate standard of living, an improved quality of life for residents and future generations, and a diversified economy that advances Oʻahu’s long-term sustainability. Critical issues include varied employment and advancement opportunities, living wage jobs, viability of both major industries and small businesses, the location of jobs, inclusion of flexible and remote work, and diversification of the economic base to ensure its resiliency to changes in global conditions. Policies address what government can do to provide, encourage, and promote economic opportunities, and reduce economic inequity for our residents. An innovative, sustainable, and technologically savvy economy that respects our unique traditions and cultural values will advance an equitable economic future.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP

The natural environment, next to the island’s people, is Oʻahu’s greatest asset. Protecting the island’s natural resources and environmental quality is essential to ensuring the long- term health and well-being of the community. Oʻahu’s array of biologically rich and diverse ecosystems, year-round temperate climate, beautiful mountains, beaches, scenic vistas, and freshwater and marine environments are enjoyed by all. However, these precious resources that are fundamental to Oʻahu’s lifestyle and economy are also adversely impacted by climate change, and in some cases the ill-effects of overuse. The City's policies seek to protect and enhance Oʻahu’s natural beauty and environment by increasing public awareness and appreciation, and by mitigating against the degradation of these assets. The objectives and policies recognize the importance of protecting the natural environment for current and future generations.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

Obtaining decent, reasonably priced housing in safe and attractive neighborhoods has been a persistent problem for the residents of Oʻahu, and is a primary concern of the General Plan. This section recognizes the importance of diverse communities that are well-integrated with transportation, the surrounding land uses, and the natural environment, and that include housing and access to schools, services, amenities, and job opportunities.

The objectives and policies for housing seek to ensure a wide range of housing opportunities and choices and to increase the availability of affordable housing, including at the lowest income levels, and meet City and State affordability goals; to encourage higher-density housing via mixed-use and transit-oriented developments in rail station areas; to encourage infill housing where permitted; to increase the use of sustainable building designs and techniques; to reduce speculation in land and housing; and to address issues associated with homelessness so that all people have decent and stable housing options.

TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES

Moving quickly toward a safe, efficient, and cost-effective multi-modal transportation system that is not dependent on fossil fuels and generates far less greenhouse gas emissions is essential to the environment, economic prosperity, and quality of life. The cost of building and maintaining the various elements of a comprehensive transportation system to service the island is a major public investment. Coordinated planning of accessibility and circulation requirements and integration of the island's transportation network within existing and planned developments is important in the effective management of urban growth and in meeting the community's daily needs. The transportation objectives and policies address the need for a balanced ground transportation system that allows safe, comfortable and convenient travel for all users, including pedestrians, micro-mobility users, bicyclists, public transit riders, and motorists.

The airports and harbors are State facilities and are under State jurisdiction. The City’s role is limited to align and regulate surrounding land uses, provide connectivity to these key facilities, and process certain needed permits.

Population growth results in increased demands for water, sewerage, recycling, and solid waste disposal services provided by government, as well as the communication, electricity, and other utility systems provided by the private sector. When meeting such needs, the social, economic, and environmental consequences must be carefully considered at all decision points.

Reliability, cost-effectiveness, and capacity are necessary attributes of a highly functioning utility system. In addition to emphasizing the importance of these attributes, the objectives and policies for utilities emphasize the need for efficient and dependable transmission and service, adequate supplies of water, and environmentally sound waste disposal systems. As Oahu toward a resource constrained future to be met with carbon-

neutral and zero waste goals, utilities will be critical partners in adopting sustainable practices.

ENERGY SYSTEMS

There is no more salient example of the direct impact of changing global conditions on an island community than the provision of energy and the attendant dangers of escalating global warming and the volatility of global energy supply chains. With more than 90 percent of O‘ahu’s electrical and transportation needs powered by imported fossil fuels, achieving energy self-sufficiency is a critical component of achieving sustainability. Our health and livability, even in the most urban area, directly depend on the health and integrity of natural ecosystems. Our island's achievement of 100 percent renewable energy and renewable transportation must include increasing the resilience of our energy grid, protecting agricultural productivity, enhancing community trust, and guarding against the most hazardous impacts of climate change. Policies have been revised to support net zero to net positive performance in the areas of energy, low carbon emissions, waste streams, all utilities, and food security.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN DESIGN

Physical development and urban design are concerned with the management of growth and the quality of life that occur within the various parts of the island. The objectives and policies in this area are concerned with the coordination of public facilities and land development, compatibility of land uses, and specification of certain land uses at particular locations. It also deals with creating active, vibrant communities linked not only physically but digitally, and through social media and other forms of technology to promote public participation in the planning process in ways that engage our increasingly digital society. New policies also emphasize the need to recognize and prepare for the current and even greater long-term impacts of climate change.

Urban design emphasis is contained in objectives to create and maintain attractive, meaningful, and stimulating environments, and to promote and enhance the social and physical character of O‘ahu’s older towns and neighborhoods. Given the population distribution reflected in the General Plan, it is intended that rural centers be allowed incremental growth over time, providing for generations to remain in their hometowns and maintain the economic viability of our rural and suburban communities.

The General Plan now also contains an objectives on climate change and sea level rise, and the continued need to plan for and mitigate associated impacts. It calls for all public and private organizations to prepare for problems caused by rises in sea level, rises in

groundwater levels, more frequent and severe storms, shifts in local rainfall patterns, increased flooding, and higher urban temperatures. The State and the City have adopted strategies and plans that guide the response to climate change.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

Many of the City's services derive from the concern for the safety of the people. The prevention and control of crime and maintenance of public order are one aspect of public safety. The City's policies reflect the roles of the citizen, and the City, State, and federal governments in providing for the safety of residents and visitors. Another aspect deals with the protection of people and property from natural disasters and other emergencies, traffic and fire hazards, and other unsafe conditions. This includes creating resilient, disaster-ready communities that are mentally and physically prepared for disasters and environmental stressors including those driven by climate change.

HEALTH AND EDUCATION

Public health and health care services are a joint State, City, and private sector responsibility. The City provides ambulance services, regulates hospital structures, helps to enforce the State health code, and promotes healthy lifestyles. New policies promote active lifestyles, enhance personal health, and support age-friendly cities so that people of all ages and abilities can thrive.

Objectives and policies for education call for a wide range of educational opportunities, development of employable skills, efficient use of facilities and appropriate facility location, and the promotion of Honolulu as a center for higher education in the Pacific. A new education policy also calls for recognizing Honolulu's status as an international Pacific crossroads, and another encourages outdoor learning opportunities and venues that reflect O‘ahu's unique natural environment and Native Hawaiian culture.

CULTURE AND RECREATION

Preservation and enhancement of Hawai‘i's multiethnic culture will be achieved through policies that encourage and respect the Native Hawaiian culture and its vital influence on the way of life on O‘ahu; recognize unique local cultures, values and traditions; prioritize equity for historically marginalized groups; protect and enhance cultural, historic and archaeological sites, buildings, and artifacts; and promote the living arts and culture of our multi-cultural heritage. The City also recognizes the importance of providing adequate park space and facilities to meet changing demand.

Objectives and policies encourage visual and performing arts and the provision of a wide range of recreational facilities and services that are readily available to residents and visitors. New policies also call for using our unique natural environment in a responsible way for cultural events and activities, and for creating and promoting recreational venues for all to enjoy from kūpuna to keiki, and kama‘āina to malihini.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT

The objectives and policies in the first ten key areas rely on a well-run, transparent, and resourceful City government. Increased efficiency, effectiveness, responsiveness, and fiscal responsibility in carrying out the functions of City government are crucial to the City’s ability to successfully fulfill its many duties. In an age of increased technology, automation, and citizen engagement, government operations must evolve to become more open and transparent, embrace crowd-sourcing, and collaborate with communities while also delivering services quickly and ensuring integrity. Increasing challenges require more nimble systems that are able to quickly adapt and adjust. Revenue mechanisms should ensure social and economic equity, encourage sustainability, and be aligned to support the first ten key areas.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are a chain of small islands, atolls, reefs and shoals stretching for more than 1,000 miles northwest beyond the main Hawaiian Islands. This group begins approximately 130 miles (about 110 nautical miles) northwest of Ni‘ihau, the westernmost island of the main Hawaiian Islands. According to the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, those islands extending northwest from Nihoa to Kure Atoll, except for the Midway Islands, are part of the City and County of Honolulu. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are largely uninhabited and are valued for an abundance of ecological and cultural resources, including approximately 5,000 square miles of healthy coral reefs, habitats for a variety of federally protected species, Native Hawaiian archaeological artifacts and cultural sites, and World War II-related military sites.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands were designated a Marine National monument in 2006 (Presidential Proclamation 8031, June 15, 2006). Expressly created to protect an exceptional array of natural and cultural resources, the monument was officially given its Hawaiian name—Papahānaumokuākea, meaning “a sacred area from which all life springs”—in 2007 (Presidential Proclamation 8112, February 28, 2007). The monument was inscribed as a mixed natural and cultural World Heritage site in 2010 by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Expansion of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was approved in 2016, extending the protected conservation area from 139,797 square miles to 582,578 square miles. Encompassing an area nearly the size of the Gulf of Mexico, the monument is recognized as one of the largest contiguous, fully protected conservation areas under the U.S. flag, and one of the largest conservation areas in the world.

Both the federal government and the State of Hawaiʻi exercise management jurisdiction over the islands and waters of Papahānaumokuākea. Papahānaumokuākea incorporates the Federal Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, the State Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Refuge, and the Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary. All of the subject islands and archipelagic waters within the State of Hawaiʻi are also included in the State Land Use Conservation District and, thus, are subject to State regulation and management in the absence of federal jurisdiction.

Figure 2. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

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In the event that any jurisdictional responsibilities relating to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are transferred to the City and County of Honolulu, the City will need to review and, if necessary, amend the objectives and policies of the General Plan, as well as other pertinent plans and programs, in terms of their adequacy in addressing these responsibilities.

Other Offshore Islands and Marine Waters

All offshore islands and marine waters within three nautical miles of the O‘ahu coastline are considered part of the City and County of Honolulu in terms of the applicability of the objectives and policies in this General Plan. Although most of these islands, as well as O‘ahu's coastal marine waters, are included in the State Land Use Conservation District and, thus, are beyond the effective jurisdiction of the City and County of Honolulu, they may be included in DPs and SCPs as appropriate.

Role of the City Government

The City government will implement the policies contained in the General Plan through ordinances and resolutions as well as through rules and regulations. Also essential to policy implementation are the City's annual budget and six-year capital-improvement program, both of which should be consistent with the objectives and policies of the General Plan, especially with regard to long-term commitments of funding.

The City government is not alone in determining the general welfare of the people of O‘ahu. The State and federal governments, too, have an important influence on the quality of life of the community. The City recognizes the need for close cooperation among the various levels of government and promoting the objectives of the General Plan when acting in concert with State and federal partners.

Citizen Participation

Individual citizens and community groups should participate freely to help bring about the success of the General Plan. Indeed, in a democratic society they have a responsibility to express their concerns to the City government and to work constantly for more effective government action. Residents of the City are encouraged to democratically and meaningfully participate in the determination of the direction and quality of future growth on O‘ahu through the City's Neighborhood Board system, community organizations, and associations.

The Neighborhood Board system established by the City provides a forum for community oversight and recommendations on government actions affecting the individual Neighborhood Board area, the region, or the island. The Neighborhood Boards represent a valuable means of encouraging and formally maintaining strong citizen participation in all parts of the island. The boards participate in the City planning process, solicit the input of other neighborhood groups and residents, and identify the concerns of the areas they represent, based on the powers, duties, and functions outlined in the Neighborhood Plan filed with the City Clerk. As set forth in the Neighborhood Plan (Section 1-7.1), the boards maintain various duties to support the General Plan, such as reviewing and making recommendations on the General Plan, monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the government’s delivery of services to citizens, and assisting in advocating residents’ interests to the local government. As community representatives, the boards can help monitor the progress being made towards achieving General Plan objectives and policies. The government also needs to engage its citizens in new, evolving ways to maximize participation, including social media and other digital platforms.

Most planning issues have impacts which extend beyond the boundaries of neighborhoods. Regular planning forums for the discussion of regional and islandwide issues are an important part of the citizen participation process.

Implementation

By itself, the General Plan cannot bring about all of the changes and improvements that the City government considers to be desirable and attainable. It is, by design, a broad policy document to establish a comprehensive vision for the City and County of Honolulu and to identify a coherent set of guidelines, values, and principles that may be used in developing more specialized plans, programs, and legislation for guiding Oʻahu’s future.

The Development Plans (DPs) and Sustainable Community Plans (SCPs), according to the City Charter, are “conceptual schemes” that describe “the desired urban character and the significant natural, scenic and cultural resources” within a region (Revised Charter of Honolulu Sec. 6-1509). They are a tool for implementing the objectives and policies of the General Plan, serving as a policy guide for the City's more detailed zoning regulations, and public and private sector investment decisions. The DPs and SCPs provide for land use and public facilities planning as well as indicate the sequence in which development will occur. They must implement and accomplish the objectives and policies of the General Plan.

The DPs and SCPs contain standards and principles with respect to land uses, statements of urban design principles and controls, and priorities for coordination of development. The City Council adopts DPs and SCPs and amendments thereto by ordinance. These plans should not, however, be confused with zoning ordinances, which will continue to regulate the use of land within clearly demarcated zones and set detailed standards for the height, bulk, and location of buildings.

In addition to zoning ordinances, the functional plans and programs of the City agencies must conform to the General Plan and implement the DPs and SCPs. This will ensure that the provision of City services is in accord with the General Plan's objectives, policies, and provisions contained in the lower tiers of plans. Similarly, State Functional Plans and the General Plan are to be mutually consistent, as per the Hawai‘i State Planning Act.

Implementation of the General Plan also occurs through the budgetary responsibilities of government. The budget process or function is closely intertwined with the planning process of the City. It involves developing the yearly operating budget and the projected capital improvement program budget. Both documents represent the final step in the comprehensive planning process relating the long-range objectives and policies of the City's General Plan to the specific uses of public revenues. To ensure the implementation of the General Plan, the City budget and programs must comply with the purposes of the General Plan and implement applicable provisions of the DPs and SCPs.

The City government is not the only entity responsible for the general welfare of the residents of O‘ahu. The State and federal governments also have an important influence on the life of the community, with responsibilities that include the freeway system, public health and education, criminal justice, natural and cultural resource management, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness. In addition, the private sector contributes significantly to O‘ahu's economy as the primary leaders in development, construction, and health care industries, thereby providing goods, services, and employment for many residents. The City recognizes the need for close collaboration among the public and private sectors in order to meet the objectives of the General Plan.

Amendments

For the General Plan to fulfill its purpose of providing overall guidance to the actions of government, private enterprise, and individual citizens across a broad spectrum of concerns, it must become neither a rigid nor an obsolete document. To keep the General Plan flexible and up-to-date, its objectives and policies must be subject to change over time in response to changes in residents’ concerns, new approaches, opportunities for

addressing those concerns, and changes in the basic assumptions underlying the objectives and policies. One means of accomplishing this is provided by the City Charter which directs the Director of Planning and Permitting to undertake a comprehensive review of the General Plan at least once every ten years for Council consideration. More importantly, however, the City Council may amend or revise the General Plan whenever it deems necessary to ensure relevance and address changing conditions.

Emphasis should be placed on reevaluating and amending selected General Plan objectives and policies as problems and issues arise. The City government should develop means for identifying emerging problems and issues and evaluating their effect on the concerns of the people of O‘ahu as expressed in the General Plan. Such an ongoing process would provide a basis for the Director of Planning and Permitting to initiate timely proposals to amend the General Plan in response to changing public concerns.

One of the key assumptions underlying many of the General Plan objectives and policies is anticipated future population growth for O‘ahu as projected by the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). Consequently, whenever DBEDT revises its population projections for O‘ahu, the objectives and policies of the General Plan will be re-evaluated in light of the new projections, and amendments will be proposed as may be appropriate.

Interpretation

Conflicts which may arise regarding the interpretation or prioritization of any of the objectives and policies of the General Plan will be resolved by the City Council.

The City’s directed growth policy is stated in Chapter I (Population), Objective B. Policies 1 through 3 define the growth policy, and Policy 4 illustrates it. Policy 4 is intended to guide the preparation and amendment of development plans by providing a population distribution outcome that is consistent with the directed growth policy.

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I.POPULATION

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Objective A

To plan for anticipated population in a manner that acknowledges the limits of Oʻahu's natural resources, protects the environment, and minimizes social, cultural, and economic disruptions.

Policy 1

Allocate efficiently the money and resources of the City in order to meet the needs of Oʻahu's current and future population.

Policy 2

Provide adequate support facilities to accommodate future numbers of visitors to Oʻahu while seeking to minimize disruption to residents and protect the natural environment.

Policy 3

Seek a balanced pace of physical development in harmony with the City's environmental, social, cultural, and economic goals by effecting and enforcing City regulations.

Policy 4

Establish geographic growth boundaries to accommodate future population growth while at the same time protecting valuable agricultural lands, environmental resources, and open space.

Policy 5

Support family planning and social equity.

Objective B

To establish a pattern of population distribution that will allow the people of Oʻahu to live, work and play in harmony.

Policy 1

Facilitate the full development of the primary urban center through higher-density redevelopment and the provision of adequate infrastructure.

Policy 2

Encourage development within the secondary urban center at Kapolei and the ‘Ewa and Central Oʻahu urban-fringe areas to relieve developmental pressures in the remaining urban-fringe and rural areas and to meet housing needs not readily provided in the primary urban center.

Policy 3

Manage land use and development in the urban-fringe and rural areas so that: a. Development is contained within growth boundaries; and b. Population densities in all areas remain consistent with the character, culture, and environmental qualities desired for each community.

Policy 4

Direct growth according to Policies 1, 2, and 3 above by providing development capacity and needed infrastructure to support a distribution of Oʻahu's resident population that is consistent with the following table:

Table 1. Distribution of Residential Population

• Oʻahu’s population is based on DBEDT’s latest population projections. The percent share for each DP area is an approximation derived through rounding.

Figure 3. Conceptual Development Pattern on O‘ahu

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Conceptual Development Pattern on O‘ahu

Urbanized Area (PUC) Secondary Urban Center Urban Fringe Rural Area Non-Designated Area

The diagram above is for illustrative purposes only.

*Revised, November 2021

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II. BALANCED ECONOMY

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Objective A

To promote diversified economic opportunities that enable all the people of O‘ahu to attain meaningful employment and a decent standard of living.

Policy 1

Support a strong, diverse, and dynamic economic base that protects the natural environment and is resilient to changes in global conditions.

Policy 2

Encourage the viability of businesses and industries, including support for small businesses, which contribute to the economic and social well-being of O‘ahu residents.

Policy 3

Pursue opportunities to grow and strategically develop non-polluting industries such as healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy, and technology in appropriate locations that contribute to O‘ahu’s long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Policy 4

Support entrepreneurship and innovation through creative efforts such as partnerships with businesses and non-profit organizations, and by encouraging complementary policies that support access to capital markets.

Policy 5

Foster a healthy business climate by streamlining regulatory processes to be transparent, predictable, and efficient.

Policy 6 Encourage the development of local, national, and world markets for the products of O‘ahu-based industries.

Policy 7 Explore and encourage alternate economic models that reflect traditional cultural values and improve economic resilience, i.e., subsistence, barter and a culture of reciprocity and sharing.

Objective B To maintain a successful visitor industry that creates living wage employment, enhances quality of life, and actively supports our unique sense of place, natural beauty, Native Hawaiian culture, and multi-cultural heritage.

Policy 1 Encourage the visitor industry to support the quality of the visitor experience, the economic and social well-being of communities, the environment, and the quality of life of residents.

Policy 2 Respect and emphasize the value that Native Hawaiian culture, its cultural practitioners, and other established ethnic traditions bring to enrich the visitor experience and appreciation for island heritage, culture, and values.

Policy 3 Guide the development and operation of visitor accommodations and attractions in a manner that avoids unsustainable increases in the cost of providing public services and infrastructure, and that respects existing lifestyles, cultural practices, and natural, cultural, and historic resources.

Policy 4 Partner with the private sector to support the long-term viability of Waikīkī as a world-class visitor destination and as O‘ahu’s primary resort area, and to support adequate adaptation strategies against climate change impacts.

Policy 5 Provide related public expenditures for rural and urban-fringe areas that are highly impacted by the visitor industry.

Policy 6 Provide for a high-quality, livable, and safe environment for visitors and residents in Waikīkī, and support measures to ensure visitors’ and residents’ safety in all areas of O‘ahu.

Policy 7 Concentrate on the quality of the visitor experience in Waikīkī, rather than on development densities.

Policy 8 Facilitate the development of the following secondary resort areas: Ko ‘Olina, Turtle Bay, Hoakalei, and Mākaha Valley in a manner that respects existing lifestyles and the natural environment.

Policy 9 Preserve scenic qualities of O‘ahu for residents and visitors alike.

Policy 10 Encourage physical improvements, social services, and cultural programs that contribute to a high-quality visitor experience, while seeking financial support of these improvements from the visitor industry.

Objective C To ensure the long-term viability, continued productivity, and sustainability of agriculture on O‘ahu.

Policy 1 Foster a positive business climate for agricultural enterprises of all sizes, as well as innovative approaches to farming as a business, to ensure the continuation of agriculture as an important component of O‘ahu’s economy.

Policy 2 Support agricultural diversification to strengthen the agricultural industry and make more locally grown food available for local consumption.

Policy 3 Foster market opportunities and increased consumer demand for safe, locally grown, fresh, processed, and value-added agricultural products.

Policy 4 Streamline the implementation of regulations to enhance a producer’s ability to develop, market, and distribute locally grown food and products.

Policy 5 Identify the economic benefits of local food production for local markets. Provide economic incentives to encourage local food production and sustainability, and encourage agricultural and aquaculture occupations.

Policy 6 Promote small-scale farming activities and other operations, such as truck farming, flower growing, aquaculture, livestock production, taro growing, subsistence farms, and community gardens.

Policy 7 Encourage landowners to actively use agricultural lands for agricultural purposes, and to pursue the long-term preservation of agricultural land with high productivity potential for agricultural production.

Policy 8 Encourage sustainable agricultural production to coexist on lands with renewable energy generation.

Policy 9 Prohibit the urbanization of agricultural land located outside the City’s growth boundaries.

Policy 10 Support and encourage technologies and agricultural practices that conserve and protect water, soil, air quality, and drainage areas, reduce carbon emissions, and promote public health and safety.

Policy 11 Support and encourage the availability and use of non-potable water for irrigation, where feasible.

Policy 12 Provide plans, incentives, and strategies to ensure the affordability of agricultural land for farmers.

Policy 13 Encourage both public and private investments to improve and expand agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, agricultural processing centers, and distribution networks.

Policy 14 Promote farming as a desirable and fulfilling occupation by encouraging agricultural education and training programs and by raising public awareness and appreciation for agriculture.

Policy 15 Protect the right to farm by enforcing right-to-farm laws, enacting policies to protect agricultural operations, and imposing meaningful buffer zones.

Policy 16 Seek ways to discourage agricultural theft and vandalism.

Policy 17 Recognize the scenic value of agricultural lands as an open-space resource and amenity.

Objective D

To use the economic resources of the sea in a sustainable manner.

Policy 1 Encourage the fishing industry to maintain its viability at a level that does not degrade or damage marine ecosystems.

Policy 2 Encourage the ongoing development of aquaculture, ocean research, and other ocean-related industries.

Policy 3 Encourage the expansion of ocean recreation activities for residents and visitors that are operated in a sustainable manner.

Objective E

To ensure meaningful employment and economic equity.

Policy 1 Support public and private training and employment programs to prepare residents for existing and future jobs, including those for historically marginalized communities.

Policy 2 Make full use of State and federal employment and training programs.

Policy 3 Encourage the provision of retraining programs for workers in industries with planned reductions in their labor force.

Policy 4 Identify emerging industries, encourage investments needed to support the industries, and develop a skilled workforce in these fields.

Objective F

To maintain federal programs and economic activity on Oʻahu consistent with the City’s infrastructure and environmental goals.

Policy 1 Take full advantage of federal programs and grants that contribute to the economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being of Oʻahu's residents.

Policy 2 Encourage the federal government to pay for the cost of public services used by federal agencies.

Policy 3 Encourage the federal government to lease new facilities rather than construct them on tax-exempt public land.

Policy 4 Encourage the federal government to purchase locally all needed services and supplies which are available on O‘ahu.

Policy 5 Encourage the continuation of a high level of military-related employment both on and off base in the Hickam-Pearl Harbor, Wahiawā, Kailua-Kāne‘ohe, and ‘Ewa areas.

Objective G To bring about orderly economic growth on O‘ahu.

Policy 1 Concentrate economic activity and government services in the primary urban center and in the secondary urban center at Kapolei.

Policy 2 Advance the equitable distribution of City capital spending, employment opportunities, infrastructure investments, and other benefits throughout communities based on need and regardless of income level. Allow infrastructure and business activity in urban fringe areas appropriate to population needs.

Policy 3 Maintain sufficient land in appropriately located commercial and industrial areas to support a favorable business climate on O‘ahu.

III. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP

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Objective A

To protect and preserve the natural environment.

Policy 1

Protect O‘ahu's natural environment, especially the shoreline, valleys, ridges, watershed areas, and wetlands from incompatible development.

Policy 2

Seek the restoration of environmentally damaged areas and natural resources.

Policy 3

Preserve, protect, and restore stream flows and stream habitats to support aquatic and environmental processes and riparian, scenic, recreational, and Native Hawaiian cultural resources.

Policy 4

Require development projects to give due consideration to natural features and hazards such as slope, inland and coastal erosion, flood hazards, water-recharge areas, and existing vegetation, as well as to plan for coastal hazards that threaten life and property.

Policy 5

Require sufficient setbacks from O‘ahu’s shorelines to protect life and property, preserve natural shoreline areas and sandy beaches, and minimize the future need for protective structures or relocation of structures.

Policy 6 Design and maintain surface drainage and flood-control systems in a manner which will help preserve natural and cultural resources.

Policy 7 Protect the natural environment from damaging levels of air, water, carbon, and noise pollution.

Policy 8 Protect plants, birds, and other animals that are unique to the State of Hawaiʻi and Oʻahu, and protect their habitats.

Policy 9 Increase tree canopy and ensure its integration into new developments, and protect significant trees on public and private lands.

Policy 10 Increase public awareness, appreciation, and protection of Oʻahu's land, air, and water resources.

Policy 11 Support the State and federal governments in the protection of the unique environmental, marine, cultural and wildlife assets of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Policy 12 Plan, prepare for, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the natural environment, including strategies of adaptation.

Objective B To preserve and enhance natural landmarks and scenic views of Oʻahu for the benefit of both residents and visitors as well as future generations.

Policy 1 Protect the Island's significant natural resources: its mountains and craters; forests and watershed areas; wetlands, rivers, and streams; shorelines, fishponds, and bays; and reefs and offshore islands.

Policy 2 Protect Oʻahu's scenic views, especially those seen from highly developed and heavily traveled areas.

Policy 3 Locate and design public facilities, infrastructure and utilities to minimize the obstruction of scenic views.

Policy 4 Protect and expand public access to the natural and coastal environment for recreational, educational, and cultural purposes, and maintain access in a way that does not damage natural, historic, or cultural resources.

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IV. HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

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Objective A

To ensure a balanced mix of housing opportunities and choices for all residents at prices they can afford.

Policy 1

Support programs, policies, and strategies that will provide decent and affordable homes for local residents, especially those in the lowest income brackets.

Policy 2

Streamline approval and permit procedures, in a transparent manner, for housing and other development projects.

Policy 3

Encourage innovative residential developments that result in lower costs, sustainable use of resources, more efficient use of land and infrastructure, greater convenience and privacy, and a distinct community identity.

Policy 4

Support and encourage programs to maintain and improve the condition of existing housing.

Policy 5

Make full use of government programs that provide assistance for low- and moderate-income renters and homebuyers.

Policy 6

Maximize local funding programs available for affordable housing.

Policy 7 Provide financial and other incentives to encourage the private sector to build homes for low- and moderate-income residents.

Policy 8 Encourage and participate in joint public-private development of low- and moderate-income housing.

Policy 9 Encourage the replacement of low- and moderate-income housing in areas which are being redeveloped at higher densities.

Policy 10 Promote the design and construction of dwellings which take advantage of O‘ahu's year-round moderate climate and use other sustainable design techniques.

Policy 11 Encourage the construction of affordable homes within established low-density and rural communities by such means as ‘ohana units, duplex dwellings, and cluster development that embraces the ‘ohana concept by maintaining multi-generational proximity for local families.

Policy 12 Promote higher-density, mixed-use development where appropriate, including rail transit-oriented development, to increase the supply of affordable and market housing in convenient proximity to jobs, schools, shops, and public transit.

Policy 13 Encourage the production and maintenance of affordable rental housing.

Policy 14 Encourage the provision of affordable housing designed for the elderly and people with disabilities in locations convenient to critical services and to public transit.

Policy 15 Encourage equitable relationships between landowners and leaseholders, between landlords and tenants, and between condominium developers and owners.

Policy 16 Support collaborative partnerships that work toward immediate solutions to house and service homeless populations and also toward long-term strategies to prevent and eliminate homelessness.

Policy 17 Support programs to address all facets of homelessness, so that every homeless person has a place to stay, along with the infrastructure and support services that are needed.

Objective B

To minimize speculation in land and housing.

Policy 1 Encourage the State government to coordinate its urban-area designations with the developmental policies of the City.

Policy 2 Discourage speculation in lands outside of areas planned for urban use, reduce the prevalence of vacant dwelling units, and reduce the use of residential dwelling units for short-term vacation rentals.

Policy 3 Seek public benefits from increases in the value of land owing to City and State developmental policies and decisions.

Policy 4 Require government-assisted housing to be delivered to qualified purchasers and renters.

Policy 5 Ensure that owners of housing properties, including government-subsidized housing, maintain housing affordability over the long term.

Objective C

To provide residents with a choice of living environments that are reasonably close to employment, schools, recreation, and commercial centers, and that are adequately served by transportation networks and public utilities.

Policy 1 Ensure that residential developments offer affordable housing to people of different income levels and to families of various sizes to alleviate the existing condition of overcrowding.

Policy 2 Encourage the fair distribution of low- and moderate-income housing throughout the island.

Policy 3 Encourage the co-location of residential development and employment centers with commercial, educational, social, and recreational amenities in the development of desirable communities.

Policy 4 Encourage residential development in suburban areas where existing roads, utilities, and other community facilities are not being used to capacity, and in urban areas where higher densities may be readily accommodated.

Policy 5 Support mixed-use development and higher-density redevelopment in areas surrounding rail transit stations.

Policy 6 Discourage residential development in areas where the topography makes construction difficult or hazardous, where sea level rise and flooding are a hazard, and where providing and maintaining roads, utilities, and other facilities would be extremely costly or environmentally damaging.

Policy 7 Encourage public and private investments in older communities as needed to keep the communities vibrant and livable.

Policy 8 Encourage the military to provide housing for active duty personnel and their families on military bases and in areas turned over to military housing contractors.

V. TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES

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Objective A To create a multi-modal transportation system that moves people and goods safely, efficiently, and at a reasonable cost and minimizes fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; serves all users, including limited income, elderly, and disabled populations; and is integrated with existing and planned development.

Policy 1 Develop a comprehensive, well-connected and integrated ground transportation system that reduces carbon emissions and enables safe, comfortable and convenient travel for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities.

Policy 2 Provide multi-modal transportation services to people living within the ‘Ewa, Central O‘ahu, and Pearl City-Hawai‘i Kai corridors primarily through a mass transit system including exclusive right-of-way rail transit and feeder-bus components as well as through the existing highway system.

Policy 3 Provide multi-modal transportation services outside the ‘Ewa, Central O‘ahu, and Pearl City-Hawai‘i Kai corridors primarily through a system of express- and feeder-buses as well as through the highway system with limited to moderate improvements sufficient to meet the needs of the communities being served.

Policy 4 Work with the State to ensure adequate and safe access for communities served by Oʻahu's coastal highway system, and to plan for the relocation of highways and roads subject to sea level rise away from coastlines.

Policy 5 Support the rail transit system as the transportation spine for the urban core, with links to the airport and maritime terminals, which will work together with other alternative modes of transit and transit-oriented development to reduce automobile dependency and increase multi-modal travel.

Policy 6 Support the development of transportation plans, programs, and facilities that are based on Complete Streets features. Maintain and improve road, bicycle, pedestrian, and micro-mobility facilities in existing communities to eliminate unsafe conditions.

Policy 7 Design street networks to incorporate greater roadway and pathway connectivity.

Policy 8 Make transportation services safe and accessible to people with limited mobility: the young, elderly, disabled, and those with limited incomes.

Policy 9 Consider environmental, social, cultural, and climate change and natural hazard impacts, as well as construction and operating costs, as important factors in planning transportation system improvements.

Policy 10 Reduce traffic congestion and maximize the efficient use of transportation resources by pursuing transportation demand management strategies such as carpooling, telecommuting, flexible work schedules, and incentives to use alternative travel modes.

Policy 11 Enhance pedestrian-friendly and bicycle-friendly travel via public and private programs and improvements.

Policy 12 Maintain separate aviation facilities for general aviation operations to supplement the capacity of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Policy 13 Support improvements to Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor as Oʻahu’s second deep-water harbor.

Policy 14 Support the operation, maintenance and improvement of Honolulu Harbor as O‘ahu’s primary cargo and ocean transportation hub.

Policy 15 Advance the transition to electric and alternative fuel infrastructure to provide adequate and accessible charging spaces and renewal fueling stations for ground transportation on O‘ahu.

Objective B Provide an adequate supply of water and environmentally sound systems of waste disposal for O‘ahu’s existing population and for future generations, and support a one water approach that uses and manages freshwater, wastewater, and stormwater resources in an integrated manner.

Policy 1 Develop and maintain an adequate, safe, and reliable supply of fresh water in a cost-effective way that supports the long-term sustainability of the resource and considers the impacts of climate change.

Policy 2 Help to develop and maintain an adequate, safe, and reliable supply of water for agricultural and industrial needs in a resource-integrated and cost-effective way that supports the long-term health of the resource.

Policy 3 Use technologies that provide water, waste disposal, and recycling services at a reasonable cost and in a manner that addresses environmental and community impacts.

Policy 4 Encourage the increased availability and use of recycled or brackish water to meet non-potable demands.

Policy 5 Pursue strategies and programs to reduce the per capita consumption of water and the per capita production of waste.

Policy 6 Provide safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally sound waste-collection, waste-disposal, and recycling services that consider the near- and long-term impacts of climate change during the siting and construction of new facilities.

Policy 7 Pursue programs to expand on-island recycling and resource recovery from O‘ahu’s solid-waste and wastewater streams.

Policy 8 Support initiatives that educate the community about the importance of conserving resources and reducing waste streams through reduction, reuse, and recycling.

Policy 9 Require the safe use and disposal of hazardous materials.

Objective C To ensure reliable, cost-effective, and responsive service for all utilities with equitable access for residents.

Policy 1 Maintain and upgrade utility systems in order to avoid major breakdowns and service interruptions.

Policy 2 Provide improvements to utilities in existing neighborhoods to reduce substandard conditions, and increase resilience to use fluctuations, natural hazards, extreme weather, and other climate impacts.

Policy 3 Facilitate timely and orderly upgrades and expansions of utility systems.

Policy 4 Increase the efficiency of public-serving utilities by encouraging a mixture of uses with peak periods of demand aligning with the availability of resources.

Objective D To maintain transportation and utility systems which support O‘ahu as a desirable place to live and visit.

Policy 1 Provide adequate resources to ensure the maintenance and improvement of transportation systems and utilities.

Policy 2 Evaluate the social, cultural, economic, and environmental impact of additions to the transportation and utility systems before they are constructed.

Policy 3 Require the installation of underground utility lines wherever feasible.

Policy 4 Seek improved taxing powers for the City in order to provide a more equitable means of financing transportation and utility services.

Policy 5 Evaluate impacts of sea level rise on existing public infrastructure, especially sewage treatment plants, roads, and other public and private utilities located along or near O‘ahu’s coastal areas, and avoid the placement of future public infrastructure in threatened areas.

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VI. ENERGY SYSTEMS

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Objective A

To increase energy self-sufficiency through renewable energy and maintain an efficient, reliable, resilient, and cost-efficient energy system.

Policy 1

Encourage the implementation of a comprehensive plan to guide and coordinate energy conservation and renewable energy development and utilization programs.

Policy 2

Support and encourage programs and projects, including economic incentives, regulatory measures, and educational efforts, and seek to eliminate O‘ahu's dependence on fossil fuels.

Policy 3

Ensure access to an adequate reserve of fuel and energy supplies to aid disaster response and recovery.

Policy 4

Support the increased use of solid waste energy recovery and other biomass energy conversion systems.

Policy 5

Support and participate in research, development, demonstration, commercialization, and optimization programs aimed at developing cost-effective and environmentally sound renewable energy supplies.

Policy 6 Support State and federal initiatives to utilize renewable energy sources.

Policy 7 Manage resources and development of communities in line with long-term efficiency and sustainability goals and targets in the areas of energy, carbon emissions, waste streams, all utilities, and food security.

Policy 8 Encourage and equitably incentivize the use of commercially available renewable energy systems in public facilities, institutions, residences, and business developments.

Policy 9 Consider health, safety, environmental, cultural, and aesthetic impacts, as well as resource limitations, land use patterns, and relative costs in all major decisions on renewable energy.

Policy 10 Work closely with the State and federal governments in the formulation and implementation of all City energy-related programs and regulations, including updating building energy codes.

Objective B To conserve energy through the more efficient management of its use and through more energy-efficient technologies.

Policy 1 Ensure that the efficient use of energy is a primary factor in the preparation and administration of land use plans and regulations.

Policy 2 Provide incentives and, where appropriate, mandatory controls to achieve energy-efficient and sustainable siting and design of new developments. Support the increased use of nationally recognized energy efficiency and resource conservation rating and certification systems.

Policy 3 Provide incentives and, where appropriate, mandatory controls to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings and outdoor facilities, and in design and construction practices.

Policy 4 Promote the development of a multi-modal transportation system that minimizes and seeks to eliminate fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Policy 5 Encourage the implementation of an adaptable and reliable electrical grid, energy transmission, energy storage, microgrids, and energy generation technologies.

Policy 6 Support the availability and use of energy efficient vehicles, especially hybrid, fuel cell, and pure electrical vehicles.

Objective C To foster an ethic of energy conservation that inspires residents to engage in sustainable practices.

Policy 1 Provide citizens with the information they need to fully understand severe climate change, supply chain issues, costs, security, and other issues associated with Oʻahu's dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Policy 2 Increase consumer awareness of available renewable energy sources and their costs and benefits.

Policy 3 Provide information concerning the impact of public and private decisions on future energy generation, transmission, storage, and use.

Policy 4 Provide communities with timely, relevant, and accurate information concerning renewable energy facilities proposed in their area, and ensure adequate buffer zones required for health or safety.

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VII. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN DESIGN

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Objective A

To coordinate changes in the physical environment of O‘ahu to ensure that all new developments are timely, well-designed, and appropriate for the areas in which they will be located.

Policy 1

Provide infrastructure improvements to serve new growth areas, redevelopment areas, and areas with badly deteriorating infrastructure.

Policy 2

Coordinate the location and timing of new development with the availability of adequate water supply, sewage treatment, drainage, transportation, and other public facilities and services.

Policy 3

Require new developments to provide or pay the cost of all essential community services, including roads, utilities, schools, parks, and emergency facilities that are intended to directly serve the development.

Policy 4

Facilitate and encourage compact, higher-density development in urban areas designated for such uses.

Policy 5 Encourage the establishment of mixed-use town centers that are compatible with the physical and social character of their community.

Policy 6 Facilitate transit-oriented development in rail transit station areas to create live/work/play multi-modal communities that reduce travel and traffic congestion.

Policy 7 Encourage the clustering of development to reduce the cost of providing utilities and other public services.

Policy 8 Locate new industries and new commercial areas so that they will be well-related to their markets and suppliers, and to residential areas and transportation facilities.

Policy 9 Locate community facilities on sites that will be convenient to the people they are intended to serve.

Policy 10 Discourage uses which are major sources of noise, air, and light pollution

Policy 11 Implement siting and design solutions that seek to reduce exposure to natural hazards, including those related to climate change, flooding, and sea level rise.

Policy 12 Prohibit new airfields, high-powered electromagnetic-radiation sources, and storage places for fuel and explosives from locating on sites where they will endanger or disrupt nearby communities.

Policy 13 Promote opportunities for the community to participate meaningfully in planning and development processes, including new forms of communication and social media.

Objective B To plan and prepare for the long-term physical impacts of climate change.

Policy 1 Integrate climate change adaptation into the planning, design, and construction of all significant improvements to and development of the built environment.

Policy 2 Coordinate plans in the private and public sectors that support research, monitoring, and educational programs on climate change.

Policy 3 Prepare for the anticipated impacts of climate change and sea level rise on existing communities and facilities through mitigation, adaptation, managed retreat, or other measures in exposed areas.

Objective C To develop the urban corridor stretching from Waiʻalae-Kāhala to Pearl City as the island's primary urban center.

Policy 1 Provide downtown Honolulu and other major business centers with a well-balanced mixture of uses.

Policy 2 Encourage the development of attractive residential communities in downtown and other business centers.

Policy 3 Maintain and improve downtown as the financial and office center of the island, and as a major retail center.

Policy 4 Provide for the continued viability of the Hawaiʻi Capital District as a center of government activities and as an attractive park-like setting in the heart of the city.

Policy 5 Foster the development of Honolulu’s waterfront as the State’s major port and maritime center, as a people-oriented mixed-use area, and as a major recreation area with accommodation for sea level rise.

Objective D To develop a secondary urban center in ‘Ewa with its nucleus in the Kapolei area.

Policy 1 Support public projects that are needed to facilitate development of the secondary urban center at Kapolei.

Policy 2 Encourage the development of a major residential, commercial, and employment center within the secondary urban center at Kapolei.

Policy 3 Encourage the continuing development of the area encompassing Campbell Industrial Park, Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor, and West Kapolei as a major industrial center.

Policy 4 Coordinate plans for the development of the secondary urban center at Kapolei with the State and federal governments, major landowners and developers, and the community.

Policy 5 Cooperate with the State and federal governments in the improvements to the deep-water harbor at Kalaeloa Barbers Point.

Policy 6 Encourage the development of the Ocean Pointe/Hoakalei Communities as a major residential and recreation area emphasizing recreational activities and a waterfront commercial center containing light-industrial, commercial, and visitor accommodation uses.

Objective E To maintain those development characteristics in the urban-fringe and rural areas which make them desirable places to live.

Policy 1 Develop and maintain urban-fringe areas as predominantly residential areas characterized by generally lower-rise, lower-density development which may include significant levels of retail and service commercial uses as well as satellite institutional and public uses geared to serving the needs of households.

Policy 2 Coordinate plans for developments within the ‘Ewa and Central O‘ahu urban-fringe areas with the State and federal governments, major landowners and developers, agricultural industries, and the community.

Policy 3 Maintain a “green belt” of open space and agricultural land around developed communities in the ‘Ewa and Central O‘ahu areas of O‘ahu.

Policy 4 Maintain rural areas that reflect an open and scenic setting, dominated by small to moderate size agricultural pursuits, with small towns of low-density and low-rise character, and which allows modest growth opportunities tailored to address area residents’ future needs.

Policy 5 Encourage the development of a variety of housing choices including affordable housing in rural communities, to give people the choice to continue to live in the community that they were raised in.

Policy 6 Ensure the social and economic vitality of rural communities by supporting infill development and modest increases in heights and densities around existing rural town areas where feasible to maintain an adequate supply of housing for future generations.

Objective F

To create and maintain attractive, meaningful, and stimulating environments throughout O‘ahu.

Policy 1 Encourage distinctive community identities for both new and existing communities and neighborhoods.

Policy 2 Require the consideration of urban design principles in all development projects.

Policy 3 Require developments in stable, established communities and rural areas to be compatible with the existing communities and areas.

Policy 4 Provide design guidelines and controls that will allow more compact development and intensive use of lands in the primary urban center and along the rail transit corridor.

Policy 5 Seek to protect residents’ quality of life and to maintain the integrity of neighborhoods by strengthening regulatory and enforcement strategies that address the presence of inappropriate non-residential activities.

Policy 6 Promote public and private programs to beautify the urban and rural environments.

Policy 7 Design public structures to meet high aesthetic and functional standards and to complement the physical character of the communities they will serve.

Policy 8 Design public street networks to be safe and accessible for users of all ages and abilities, to accommodate multiple modes of travel to be visually attractive and to support sustainable ecological processes, such as stormwater infiltration.

Policy 9 Recognize the importance of using Native Hawaiian plants in landscaping to further the traditional Hawaiian concept of mālama ‘āina and to create a more Hawaiian sense of place.

Objective G

To promote and enhance the social and physical character of O‘ahu's older towns and neighborhoods.

Policy 1

Encourage new construction in established areas to be compatible with the character and cultural values of the surrounding community.

Policy 2

Encourage, wherever desirable, the rehabilitation of existing substandard structures.

Policy 3

Provide and maintain roads, public facilities, and utilities without damaging the character of older communities.

Policy 4

Seek the satisfactory relocation of residents before permitting their displacement by new development, redevelopment, or neighborhood rehabilitation.

Policy 5

Acknowledge the cultural and historical significance of kuleana lands, the ancestral ownership of kuleana lands, and promote policies that preserve and protect kuleana lands.

Policy 6

Support and encourage cohesive neighborhoods which foster interactions among neighbors, promote vibrant community life, and enhance livability.

VIII. PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

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Objective A

To prevent and control crime and maintain public order.

Policy 1 Provide a safe environment for residents and visitors on O‘ahu.

Policy 2 Provide adequate, safe, and secure criminal justice facilities.

Policy 3 Provide adequate training, staffing, and support for City public safety agencies.

Policy 4 Emphasize improvements to police and prosecution operations which will result in a higher proportion of wrongdoers who are arrested, convicted, and punished for their crimes.

Policy 5 Support policies and programs that expand access to treatment, rehabilitation, and re-entry programs for adult and juvenile offenders.

Policy 6 Keep the public informed of the nature and extent of criminal activity on O‘ahu.

Policy 7 Establish and maintain programs to encourage public cooperation in the prevention and solution of crimes, and promote strong community-police relationships.

Policy 8 Seek the help of State and federal law-enforcement agencies to curtail the activities of organized crime syndicates on Oʻahu.

Policy 9 Conduct periodic reviews of criminal laws to ensure their relevance to the community's needs and values.

Policy 10 Cooperate with other law-enforcement agencies to develop new methods of addressing crime. Support communication and coordination across federal, State and City law enforcement and corrections agencies.

Policy 11 Encourage the improvement of rehabilitation programs and facilities for criminals and juvenile offenders.

Objective B To protect residents and visitors and their property against natural disasters and other emergencies, traffic and fire hazards, and unsafe conditions.

Policy 1 Keep up-to-date and enforce all City and County safety regulations.

Policy 2 Require all developments in areas subject to floods and tsunamis, and coastal erosion to be located and constructed in a manner that will not create any health or safety hazards or cause harm to natural and public resources.

Policy 3 Participate with State and federal agencies in the funding and construction of flood-control projects, and prioritize the use of ecologically sensitive flood-control strategies whenever feasible.

Policy 4 Collaborate with State and federal agencies to provide emergency warnings, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery, during and after major emergencies such as tsunamis, hurricanes, and other high-hazard events.

Policy 5 Cooperate with State and federal agencies to provide protection from war, civil disruptions, pandemics, and other major disturbances.

Policy 6 Reduce hazardous traffic conditions.

Policy 7 Provide adequate resources to effectively prepare for and respond to natural and manmade threats to public safety, property, and the environment.

Policy 8 Foster disaster-ready communities and households through implementation of resilience hubs and other resiliency strategies.

Policy 9 Plan for the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on public safety, in order to minimize potential future hazards.

Policy 10 Develop emergency management plans, policies, programs, and procedures to protect and promote public health, safety, and welfare of the people.

Policy 11 Provide educational materials on emergency management preparedness, fire protection, traffic hazards, and other unsafe conditions.

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IX. HEALTH AND EDUCATION

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Objective A

To protect the health and well-being of residents and visitors.

Policy 1 Encourage the provision of health-care facilities that are accessible to both employment and residential centers.

Policy 2 Provide prompt and adequate ambulance and first-aid services in all areas of Oʻahu.

Policy 3 Coordinate City health codes and other regulations with State and federal health codes to facilitate the enforcement of air-, water-, and noise-pollution controls.

Policy 4 Integrate public health concerns such as air and water pollution as a consideration in land use planning decisions.

Policy 5 Encourage healthy lifestyles by supporting opportunities that increase access to and promote consumption of fresh, locally grown foods.

Policy 6 Encourage healthy lifestyles through walkable and livable communities, safe street crossings, safe routes to schools, and parks and pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Policy 7 Support efforts to make healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone.

Policy 8 Support efforts to improve and expand access to mental health, drug treatment, community-based programs, and other similar programs for those requiring such services.

Policy 9 Support becoming an age-friendly city that provides people of all ages with user-friendly parks and other public gathering places, that offers safe streets and multi-modal transportation options, that provides an adequate supply of affordable housing, that encourages growth in needed and desirable jobs, that provides quality health-care and support services, and that encourages civic participation, social inclusion, and respect between interest groups.

Policy 10 Plan for our aging population’s growing health-care, personal service, and diverse daily activity needs, and encourage these services to be provided in a timely manner, including age-specific social activities.

Objective B To provide a wide range of educational opportunities for the people of O‘ahu.

Policy 1 Support education programs that encourage the development of employable skills.

Policy 2 Encourage the provision of informal educational programs for people of all age groups.

Policy 3 Encourage the after-hours use of school buildings, grounds, and facilities.

Policy 4 Encourage the construction of school facilities that are designed for flexibility and high levels of use.

Policy 5 Facilitate the appropriate location of childcare facilities as well as learning institutions from the preschool through the university levels.

Policy 6 Encourage outdoor learning opportunities and venues that reflect our unique natural environment and Native Hawaiian culture.

Objective C To make Honolulu the center of higher education in the Pacific.

Policy 1 Encourage continuing improvement in the quality of higher education in Hawaiʻi, as well as ways to make higher education more affordable.

Policy 2 Encourage the development of diverse opportunities in higher education.

Policy 3 Encourage research institutions to establish branches on Oʻahu.

Policy 4 Establish Honolulu as a knowledge center and international Pacific crossroads hub.

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X. CULTURE AND RECREATION

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Objective A

To foster the multiethnic culture of Hawaiʻi and respect the host culture of the Native Hawaiian people.

Policy 1

Recognize the Native Hawaiian host culture, including its customs, language, history, and close connection to the natural environment, as a dynamic, living culture and as an integral part of Oʻahu’s way of life.

Policy 2

Promote the preservation and enhancement of local cultures, values and traditions.

Policy 3

Encourage greater public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the cultural heritage and contributions to Hawaiʻi made by Oʻahu’s various ethnic groups.

Policy 4

Foster equity and increased opportunities for positive interaction among people with different ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds.

Policy 5

Preserve the identities of the historical communities of Oʻahu.

Objective B

To protect, preserve and enhance O‘ahu’s cultural, historic, architectural, and archaeological resources.

Policy 1 Promote the restoration and preservation of early Hawaiian structures, artifacts, and landmarks.

Policy 2 Identify and, to the extent possible, preserve and restore buildings, sites, and areas of social, cultural, historic, architectural, and archaeological significance.

Policy 3 Cooperate with the State and federal governments in developing and implementing a comprehensive preservation program for social, cultural, historic, architectural, and archaeological resources.

Policy 4 Promote the interpretive and educational use of cultural, historic, architectural, and archaeological sites, buildings, and artifacts.

Policy 5 Seek public and private funds, and encourage public participation and support, to protect, preserve and enhance social, cultural, historic, architectural, and archaeological resources.

Policy 6 Provide incentives for the restoration, preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of social, cultural, historic, architectural, and archaeological resources.

Policy 7 Encourage the protection of areas that are historically important to Native Hawaiian cultural practices and to the cultural practices of other ethnicities, in order to further preserve and continue these practices for future generations.

Objective C

To foster the visual and performing arts.

Policy 1 Encourage and support programs and activities for the visual and performing arts.

Policy 2 Encourage creative expression and access to the arts by all segments of the population.

Policy 3 Provide permanent art in appropriate City public buildings and places.

Objective D

To provide a wide range of recreational facilities and services that are readily available to residents and visitors alike, and to balance access to natural areas with the protection of those areas.

Policy 1

Develop, maintain, and expand a community-based park system to meet the needs of the diverse communities on Oʻahu.

Policy 2

Develop, maintain, and expand a system of regional parks and specialized recreation facilities, based on the cumulative demand of residents and visitors.

Policy 3

Develop, maintain, and improve urban parks, squares, and beautification areas in high-density urban places.

Policy 4

Encourage public and private natural reserves and botanical and zoological parks to foster greater awareness and appreciation of the natural environment.

Policy 5

Encourage the State to develop, improve, and maintain a system of natural resource-based parks, such as beach, shoreline, and mountain parks.

Policy 6

Ensure that public recreational facilities balance the demand for facilities against capital and operating cost constraints so that they are adequately sized and properly maintained.

Policy 7

Ensure and maintain convenient and safe access to beaches, ocean environments and mauka recreation areas in a manner that protects natural and cultural resources.

Policy 8

Encourage ocean and water-oriented recreation activities that do not adversely impact the natural environment and cultural assets, or result in overcrowding or overuse of beaches, shoreline areas and the ocean.

Policy 9

Require all new developments to provide their residents with adequate recreation space.

Policy 10

Utilize our unique natural environment in a responsible way to promote cultural events and activities, and maintain cultural practices.

Policy 11 Encourage the after-hours, weekend, and summertime use of public school facilities for recreation.

Policy 12 Provide for safe and secure use of public parks, beaches, and recreation facilities.

Policy 13 Create and promote recreational venues for kūpuna and keiki and for kama‘āina and malihini.

Policy 14 Encourage the State and federal governments to transfer excess and underutilized land to the City for public recreation use.

XI. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT

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Objective A

To promote increased efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness in the provision of government services by the City and County of Honolulu.

Policy 1

Maintain and adequately fund City government services at the level necessary to be effective.

Policy 2

Promote alignment and consolidation of State and City functions whenever more efficient and effective delivery of government programs and services may be achieved.

Policy 3

Ensure that government attitudes, actions, and services are sensitive to community needs and concerns, and held accountable to the public trust.

Policy 4

Sufficiently fund and staff the timely preparation, maintenance, and update of public policies and plans to guide and coordinate City programs and regulatory responsibilities.

Policy 5

Expand the adoption of technology across all City agencies to achieve greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability to the general public throughout government operations.

Objective B

To ensure fiscal integrity, responsibility, and efficiency by the City government in carrying out its responsibilities.

Policy 1

Provide for a balanced budget.

Policy 2

Allocate fiscal resources of the City to efficiently implement the policies of the General Plan and the DPs and SCPs.

Policy 3

Ensure accountability and transparency in government operations.

Objective C

To achieve equitable outcomes for City programs, policies, and allocation of resources throughout the O‘ahu community.

Policy 1

Promote policies that actively address and eliminate disparate outcomes for historically underserved communities.

Policy 2

Seek equitable distribution of City investments towards promoting employment opportunities, infrastructure, and other community benefits appropriate to the community needs and proportionate to the population size.

Policy 3

Promote adherence to processes that advance procedural, distributional, structural, intergenerational, and cultural equity within the City.

Policy 4

Provide resources for City employees to understand and actively advance equity solutions within all agencies of City government.

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