Kauai County Planning Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026
Kauai County Planning Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026
The meeting began with recognition of planner Marie Williams for receiving the Daniel Burnham Award and the proclamation of May 4, 2026 as "Marie Williams Day" by Mayor Derek Kawakami. The commission then approved the agenda and minutes from April 14, 2026. Two public comments were heard regarding a future public hearing on a Starwood development. The commission considered two zoning amendments: one to require public access easements for condominium property regimes (CPRs) and another to establish wildfire defensible space and home hardening standards. Both were deferred to future meetings.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda as presented unanimously.
- Approved the minutes of April 14, 2026 unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike Lyons (Kilauea resident) testified against a planned Starwood development at Haena, arguing it would tarnish the area, harm the trail and parking, and only benefit buyers, not the local community. He emphasized the need to benefit locals first and requested the commission reject the project.
- Karen Diamond submitted written testimony and spoke on the Starwood project, raising issues with an expired shoreline certification, inadequate setback (5 ft from cliff edge), viewplane corridors, and privatization of open space. She recommended requiring a new certified shoreline and redesign.
Discussion Items
- Zoning Amendment ZA 2026-5 (Condominium Property Regimes): Staff presented a bill requiring public access easements for CPRs adjacent to shoreline or mountain areas, similar to subdivisions. Currently, CPRs can bypass public access dedication. The bill includes standards for width, spacing, location, and a 12-month recordation requirement. The planning department recommended an open-ended deferral for further review by the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission. Commissioners asked about minimum size, the difference between subdivision and CPR, and the process. The motion to defer passed.
- Zoning Amendment ZA 2026-6 (Wildfire/WUI Standards): Staff provided extensive background on wildfire science, emphasizing that embers (not flame fronts) cause most structural ignitions. The bill would require ember-resistant construction for new buildings (e.g., non-wood roofs, vent mesh, metal flashing at base). Staff noted that 91% of Kauai is more vulnerable to wildfire than mainland averages, and insurance availability is declining. The bill is deferred to allow completion of a financial analysis and design studies on setbacks. The commission deferred to June 9, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- ZA 2026-5 deferred open-ended (unanimous roll call: Commissioners Cox, Giovanni, Santos, Strayford, and Chair Cole all in favor).
- ZA 2026-6 deferred to June 9, 2026 (unanimous roll call: Commissioners Cox, Giovanni, Santos, Strayford, and Chair Cole all in favor).
- The next meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
I don't know if you want to see that. Today is Tuesday, May twelfth, twenty twenty twenty twenty-six, and I'd like to call to order the meeting of the planning commission. One, I'd like to take the privilege to for a one of our planning staff that we have, Marie Marie Williams. She was just given this great recognition, and as it states, her work has been earned statewide and national recognition, including outstanding planning award from the Hawaii chapter of the American Planning Association and the prestigious Daniel Burnham Award for Excellence in Comprehensive Planning from the American Planning Association. She was just given this great recognition, and as it states, her work has been earned statewide and national recognition, including outstanding planning award from the Hawaii chapter of the American Planning Association, and the prestigious Daniel Burnham Award for excellence in comprehensive planning from the American Planning Association, and the work and leadership of Marie Williams, embodied a principles championed by urban theorist Jane Jacobs, a pioneering figure in the field of planning, known for advancing community-based planning and influential new urbanism ideas, including mixed youth neighborhoods and active streets, which has shaped more livable and vibrant communities. And on May 4th, 2026, Mayor Derek Kawakami has proclaimed that to be Marie Williams Day, one of our own planners. So congratulations goes out to Marie Williams. Thanks, Marie. And working with Marie, you know, she's a good one. She's a real good person, a good planner. So thank you, Marie. With that, Mr. Clerk, if we can have a rule call, please. Roll call, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Cox. Here. Commissioner Giovanni. Here. Commissioner Santos. Here. Commissioner Strayford? Here. Terrico. Here. You have a call, Mr. Chair. Next, you have approval of the agenda. The department has no recommended changes to the agenda. I move to approve the agenda as presented. Second. Got a motion to approve. We have a second. Any discussions? If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed. Okay. Agenda is approved. Before we get into them. Oh, why don't we do the minister? Um, next is minutes for the meeting of April 14, 2026. You have the minutes in front of you. Any questions? If not, we can look for a motion to approve. I move. We approve the minutes of April 14th, 2026. Okay.
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