21st Session of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development

The Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development met on February 3, 2026, to hear public testimony and deliberate on a coordinated package of three bills (124, 125, and 126) aimed at revitalizing downtown Pahoa. The committee heard support from community leaders regarding the potential for economic and cultural growth. The bills focus on establishing a new special zoning district, clarifying design guidelines, and facilitating property rezoning for commercial and light industrial uses. The committee unanimously recommended forwarding all three bills to the Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department for further review.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Golden (Executive Director, Puna Rising Ohana; Acting President, Main Street Pahoa Association; President, Pahoa Lava Zone Museum): Expressed strong support for bills 124, 125, and 126. He testified that the community does not disappear when buildings are damaged, but when policy makes it impossible to belong. He stated he felt the bills were a "icing on the cake" for the accomplishments of Council Chair Kirkowitz and argued the effort opens a real avenue for people to start businesses and make a wonderful life. He emphasized the need to keep Pahoa's historic values and authentic character.

Discussion Items

• Bill 126 (Downtown Pahoa Commercial District): Councilmember Kirkowitz introduced the bill to create a new special zoning district between Post Office Road and Aka'akamai Loop. She clarified that the bill is not an improvement district and involves no special tax assessments on property owners. The bill seeks to expand permitted uses to include light industrial uses and explicitly elevate "cultural enterprise," co-working innovation hubs, and creative media spaces as distinct uses. Councilmember Kimball expressed curiosity regarding whether explicitly listing these uses might inadvertently exclude them from general commercial definitions in other zones.
• Corporation Council & Planning Department Response: Deputy Corporation Counsel Gene Campbell and Planning Director stated that the new definitions are inclusive (interpreting them as "including but not limited to") and will not exclude these uses from the broader commercial definition applicable in other zones. They confirmed the Department supports the new uses and intends to include them in other zoning districts as part of the ongoing comprehensive zoning code update.
• Bill 124 (Rezoning for DPC): Councilmember Kirkowitz explained this is a companion measure to Bill 126 that authorizes the rezoning of specific properties to the proposed Downtown Pahoa Commercial District. She emphasized that the county cannot force property owners to rezone; owners must opt-in. She clarified that real property taxes are based on the actual use of the property, not the zoning designation, so no tax changes occur unless the use itself changes.
• Bill 125 (Pahoa Village Design Guidelines): Councilmember Kirkowitz introduced this bill to clarify the duties, procedures, and selection processes for the Pahoa Design Review Committee. She noted that while the committee is grassroots, there has been a lack of clarity regarding the composition and tenure of its members. The bill aims to increase transparency in how members are vetted and approved, and to establish a 10-year review cycle for the guidelines to ensure they remain modern and applicable.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 126: Motion to forward to the Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department passed with 8 ayes (Council Member Kleinfelder excused).
• Bill 124: Motion to forward to the Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department passed with 7 ayes (Council Members Galimba and Kleinfelder excused).
• Bill 125: Motion to forward to the Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department passed with 7 ayes (Council Members Galimba and Kleinfelder excused).
• Procedural Note: Council Chair Heather Kimball transferred the gavel to Vice Chair Councilmember Galimba during the meeting and later handed it back; Councilmember Kirkowitz served as the primary presenter for the bills as the original chair introduced them.