Kauai County Subdivision Committee & Planning Commission Meeting - October 13, 2026

The meeting convened at 8:31 AM on October 13, 2026, and covered multiple agenda items including subdivision map approval, contested case petitions, a major affordable housing project (Puhi Pili Kai), beekeeping regulations, accessory rental unit extensions, enforcement penalty increases, third-party hosting platform regulation, and several deferrals.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda unanimously.
• Approved minutes from the July 14, 2026 and August 11, 2026 Subdivision Committee meetings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• S-227-1 (Grow Farm Companies): No public testimony during the subdivision portion.
• SMA/Use Permit (Ebslin Trust): No public testimony at the hearing; written testimony from Rosalind Cummings was considered.
• Puhi Pili Kai Affordable Housing Project: Multiple community members testified. Ricky Cassidy, an independent researcher, cited statistics that "one in five people need affordable housing" and expressed concerns over traffic study timing during COVID. Alton Abimoto opposed the loss of a public park, arguing the sewer line benefit was overstated and that the traffic study was flawed. Other testifiers voiced support, including a school principal who emphasized the critical need for teacher housing and how the project would allow educators to walk to nearby schools. A representative from the Filipino Cultural Center expressed openness to partnership.
• Beekeeping Ordinance (ZA 2026-8): Ariel Bishop (second-generation beekeeper) and Robin Murayama (small business beekeeper) testified in support, noting the balance between responsible beekeeping and protecting neighboring properties.

Discussion Items

• Subdivision Map Approval S-227-1 (Grow Farm Companies / ADC): The proposal consolidates and resubdivides three lots into three lots totaling approximately 6,079.03 acres, primarily to convey lot 2 (about 1,076 acres) to the State of Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Kapakai analysis was updated after the August 2026 deferral. During discussion, concerns were raised that lineal descendant Kamealoha was not interviewed. The applicant agreed to include Kamealoha’s testimony in the analysis. The committee added a condition to that effect and gave tentative approval.
• Petition to Intervene (Ebslin Trust SMA Case): Two petitions were considered. Rosalind Cummings’ petition was denied for procedural deficiencies (no filing fee, no certificate of service). The Garcia Neveu petition was granted; the Commission found the neighbors had standing due to proximity and potential impact on coastal views and public trust. The case was referred to a contested case hearing. The Commission briefly entered executive session before voting.
• Puhi Pili Kai – Affordable Housing Project (PDU, Variance, Class 4 Zoning): The project proposes 60 rental units (12 studios, 30 one-bedroom, 18 two-bedroom) on a 2.52-acre former park site across from Kauai Community College. The Housing Agency and developer Ikenikea Development presented the project as addressing the county’s severe housing shortage, targeting 30%–120% AMI households with a preference for educators. Key discussions focused on traffic impacts, loss of a public park (a larger park two blocks away will be improved), and community benefits (new sidewalks, sewer trunk line). The Commission added three conditions: (1) consult with DOT and Public Works to identify traffic mitigations, (2) implement archaeological monitoring during ground disturbance (already part of SHPD plan), and (3) allow public use of open gathering spaces and tot lot to the extent legally possible. The project was approved.
• Beekeeping Ordinance (ZA 2026-8): The department presented revisions: tiered hive density (lots ≤1,000 sq ft: 8 hives; lots 1,001–20,000 sq ft: 15 hives), revised swarm language, nighttime lighting clarification, and required signage. After testimony, the Commission approved the ordinance as amended.
• ARU Extension (ZA 2027-1): The proposal makes the five-year extension for Accessory Rental Units indefinite. The department recommended approval and it passed unanimously.
• Civil Fines Ordinance (ZA 2027-2): This ordinance would raise the maximum fine for zoning violations from $10,000/day to a higher amount for luxury transient accommodations and commercial retreats on agricultural land. The department requested a deferral to January 12, 2027, for further legal review and stakeholder input. Granted.
• Third-Party Hosting Platform Regulation (ZA 2027-3): Proposed to regulate platforms like Airbnb/VRBO, but the department noted existing successful partnerships with major platforms (which have reduced illegal rentals from ~1,500 to <30). Deferred to January 12, 2027, to consult with those partners.
• Numila Plantation Camp Amendments: Two items (GPA 2025-2 and A-2025-2) were withdrawn because the landowner identified a different TMK for a proposed 14.9-acre expansion. ZA 2025-4 (amending the existing camp) was deferred to January 12, 2027, to be heard with new zoning amendments.
• Shoreline Setback Determination Appeal (SSD 2027-3): The landowner and appellant agreed to a 60-day window; deferred to December 8, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Subdivision S-227-1 (Grow Farm/ADC): Approved (tentative) with added condition to include Kamealoha’s testimony in the Kapakai analysis.
• Cummings Intervention: Denied.
• Garcia Neveu Intervention: Granted; case referred to contested case hearing.
• Puhi Pili Kai Project: Approved (PDU, variance, class 4 zoning) with three conditions.
• Beekeeping Ordinance (ZA 2026-8): Approved as amended.
• ARU Extension (ZA 2027-1): Approved.
• Civil Fines Ordinance (ZA 2027-2): Deferred to January 12, 2027.
• Third-Party Platform Regulation (ZA 2027-3): Deferred to January 12, 2027.
• Numila GPA and A: Withdrawn; ZA 2025-4 deferred.
• Shoreline Appeal: Deferred to December 8, 2026.