Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development - June 16, 2026
Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development - June 16, 2026
The Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 12:02 p.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center, with a member in Hilo and remote participation. Chair Ashley Kirkowitz presided until transferring chairmanship to Vice Chair Michelle Galimba due to agenda items being introduced by Chair Kirkowitz. The committee considered three bills (Bill 125, Bill 126, and Bill 124) related to the Pahoa Village Design District and downtown Pahoa commercial zoning. Public testimony was heard on Bill 125 and Bill 126. The meeting concluded after acting on all agenda items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Amadio Markov (Main Street Pahoa, Pahoa Amazon Museum) testified in strong support of Bill 125, emphasizing the importance of the Pahoa Village Design District for community improvement. He noted ongoing struggles from the 2018 eruption and COVID-19.
- Amadio Markov also testified on Bill 126, expressing strong support for creating a downtown Pahoa Commercial District, stating it provides clarity, supports local business, and protects the town's character while allowing smart growth.
- Eileen O'Hara (representing herself and Malamo Puna) testified in support of the entire suite of bills (124–126), praising their flexibility and alignment with community values. She reserved the possibility of later amendments.
Discussion Items
- Bill 125 (Amends Chapter 25, Article 7, Division 4 – Pahoa Village Design District): Introduced by Councilmember Kirkowitz to clarify duties, procedures, and guidelines for the Pahoa Design Review Committee. Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow presented the amendments, which include clarifying purpose, boundaries, and the role of the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee (CDPAC) in reviewing committee membership every two years and guidelines every ten years. The Windward Planning Commission voted on May 6, 2026, to send a favorable recommendation. The bill passed on first reading with 7 ayes (Councilmembers Kleinfelder and Viegas excused).
- Bill 126 (Creates Downtown Pahoa Commercial District – DPC): Introduced by Councilmember Kirkowitz to establish a voluntary opt-in special zoning district for properties along Pahoa Village Road. Planning Director Darrow detailed permitted uses, height limits (30 feet), minimum lot size (7,500 sq ft), no front/rear/side yard requirements, and no off-street parking requirement (except as required by plan approval). Councilmember Kirkowitz proposed an amendment (Communication 710.3) to make the district opt-in and define boundaries using language from Bill 124. The amendment passed with 8 in favor (Councilmember Viegas excused). The main motion to recommend passage on first reading also passed with 8 in favor (Viegas excused).
- Bill 124 (Rezoning to DPC district): Introduced to rezone specific parcels to the new DPC district. Councilmember Kirkowitz withdrew the bill because its mapping and opt-in provisions were incorporated into Bill 126 via the amendment.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 125: Passed with 7 ayes, 2 excused. Sent to full council with a favorable recommendation.
- Bill 126: Amendment (Communication 710.3) passed with 8 ayes, 1 excused. Main motion passed with 8 ayes, 1 excused. Sent to full council with a favorable recommendation including the opt-in provision.
- Bill 124: Withdrawn by the introducer.
The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
Meeting Transcript
Aloha and good afternoon. Welcome to the 25th session of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development. Today is Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. I am calling this meeting to order at 12.02 p.m. The committee is meeting at the West Hawaii Civic Center with a member joining us in the Hilo Chambers. Present here in Kona are committee members Jennifer Kagiwada, James Houstis, Holaka Inaba, Fresh O'Nishi, Michelle Galimba joining us shortly. Is committee member Matt Kenneli E. Kleinfelder joining us from Heathal, Committee Member Heather Kimball. Excuse from today's meeting is Committee Member Rebecca Viegas. My name is Ashley Kirkowitz, Chair and Presiding Officer. At this time, we will be taking statements from the public. Mr. R.S.L.I. could you please let us know if there are any members that wish to provide testimony on any agenda items? Thank you so much, Chair. Just confirming that we do not have any testifiers at your remote sites. And I believe the little testifies we have then at this time. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, if we could please move on to business for the day. But before we do that, I am going to transfer the chairmanship to my vice chair because the items on the agenda are mine. Vice Chair Galimba. Thank you, Chair. Go ahead. Thanks. Call my Mr. Clerk. I apologize, but we were just notified that we do have a testifier in Pahoa. If it's all right with the chair, would it please take 1640? Of course. Thank you so much. Gloria, if you could please introduce your testifier in Pohoa. Sorry, thank you. Hi there. Good afternoon. I have Amadio Markov here with Main Street Pahoa, Pahoa Amazon Museum. Testifying on Bill 125. No, 165. I'm sorry, 165. No. We don't have 165 on our agenda today. We do have 124. 125. Okay. Thank you. Go ahead. Hi, folks. Sorry, I little discombobular just got here and uh trying to find my testimony, but I don't see it. So I am just wanting to uh lend strong support to uh Bill 125 uh relating to the PAHOA Village Design District. Um, as most of you know, I am in the trenches in trying to uh work to improve Pahoa and the surrounding district uh every day, all day.
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