Nāʻālehu/Wai ōhinu/green Sands 1. Advances Sustainable Conservation and Settlement Patterns Objective 1: Encourage future settlement patterns that are safe, sustainable, and connected. They should honor the best of Ka ū s historic precedents: concentrating new commercial and residential development in compact, walkable, mixed-use town/village centers, allowing rural development in the rural lands. Controlled development that does not drastically change what we have now More growth, but not destroying our small town ambiance Regardless of short-term necessities, this process must focus on Kaʻū for the longest term possible Development is targeted to existing zoned urban areas Brownfields impede future redevelopment Some large-scale renewable energy projects have the potential to impact nearby communities Build-out in Green Sands could alter rural community character Concentrates future development in the existing towns, villages, and subdivisions Prioritizes brownfield assessments Guides community-based redevelopment in Green Sands Prioritizes greater public review of commercial renewable energy projects
Retain rural charm Keep small town atmosphere Objective 2: Preserve prime and other viable agricultural lands and preserve and enhance viewscapes that exemplify Ka ū s rural character. Development on agricultural land (including Green Sands) is limited to agriculture, farm dwellings, related economic infrastructure and cottage industries, renewable energy, open area recreational uses, and community facilities Farm subdivisions create smaller farms without housing development Land use policy map supports conversion of agricultural lands to urban The bulk of build-out potential is in the precode subdivisions like Green Sands, which mostly lack infrastructure and entitlements to create viable village centers. Build-out in Green Sands could alter rural community character Establishes firm urban growth boundaries in Nāʻālehu and Wai ōhinu Maintains open space and rural character of Green Sands, including continued inclusion in the State Land Use Agricultural district (not Rural) Prioritizes the preservation of open space in Green Sands by streamlining the lot consolidation process Prohibits rezones that increase residential density Prohibits water variances other than for catchment water With a special permit, In Green Sands, it allows animal hospitals, veterinary establishments, kennels, bed and breakfasts, home occupations, dependent care facilities, community buildings, public uses and structures, including schools, places of worship, tennis courts, and swimming pools.
In other agricultural lands, it allows animal hospitals, veterinary establishments, fertilizer yards, bed and breakfasts, guest ranches, home occupations, community buildings, public uses and structures, shooting ranges, ATV courses, quarries with site master plans Guides the expansion of lands held in public trust, including agricultural lands between Nāʻālehu and the coast
2. Protects & Enhances Natural & Cultural Resources Protect the coastline Better road access to the beach Watershed protection collaboration Objective 3: Protect, restore, and enhance ecosystems, including mauka forests and the shorelines, while assuring responsible access for residents and for visitors. Appropriate public access to the shoreline and mauka forests is ensured Limited active management of public access Guides collaborative stewardship and enhancement of coastal and forest public access and trails Prioritizes the development of a County public access program Advocates for stronger liability protections for landowners who provide public access
Objective 4: Protect, restore, and enhance Ka ū s unique cultural assets, including historic sites and historic buildings. Objective 5: Establish and enforce standards for development and construction that reflect community values of architectural beauty and distinctiveness. Nā ālehu Theatre restored and reopened and being used for the arts (hula, plays, etc.) Retain the rural charm A community that can support and sustain all ages and cultures/ ethnicities while maintaining a rural lifestyle SHPD reviews development that affects historic buildings Nāʻālehu Theater is deteriorating Some elements of the zoning and subdivision code are inconsistent with town design and character Urban street standards aren t always appropriate in rural towns There is no coordinated effort to retain the unique town character Some local history isn t being recorded Guides the restoration of Nāʻālehu Theater Encourages variances to maintain town character Retains rural road design Prioritizes new, rural street design standards Guides community-based efforts to retain town character Guides documentation of oral, written, and video histories
3. Strengthens Infrastructure, Facilities, & Services Objective 7: Identify viable sites for critical community infrastructure. Develop water sources and combine sources for better use County water for all More police Law enforcement based on geography, not population Sports and recreation complex A place in Ka ū to keep children out of trouble WATER Water distribution system leaks & has limited capacity to serve infill development Water policy is designed to accommodate scattered development Prioritizes water improvements to support infill growth Guides community-based redevelopment in Green Sands WASTEWATER Wastewater system being upgraded Primary collection lines don t serve entire town or future infill Restrictive cesspool regulations being considered by the Department of Health Prioritizes the extension of the primary wastewater collection lines Advocates with the Department of Health to establish place-specific cesspool policies and to make an affordable financing mechanism available for cesspool-to-septic conversions
FIRE STATION Fire station and equipment need improvements and upgrades FIRE STATION & HOSPITAL Nāʻālehu Fire Station and Ka ū Police Station are vulnerable to earthquakes and hurricanes POLICE OFFICERS Four police officers on duty each shift Prioritizes a new fire station in Nāʻālehu and upgraded fire equipment Prioritizes the hardening of the Nāʻālehu Fire Station and Ka ū Police Station to ensure their effective use after an earthquake and/or hurricane Prioritizes the maintenance of four officers for each shift PARKS Nāʻālehu park improved with community support Nāʻālehu doesn t have a swimming pool or skate park Green Sands park maintenance relies on volunteer initiative Prioritizes a pool & skate park in Nāʻālehu Guides community-based park improvements in Green Sands
More buses to Hilo and Kona Objective 8: Establish a rural transportation network, including roadway alternatives to Highway 11 and an interconnected transit system. Improve roads ROADS There is no emergency alternative route connecting Green Sands and Mark Twain ROADS Green Sands roads are private and are largely unmanaged Prioritizes formalizing and improving an emergency alternative route connecting Green Sands and Mark Twain subdivisions Guides community-based road improvements ROADS Ka alāiki Road is used as an alternate route to Highway 11 Safety improvements needed Prioritizes improvement of Ka alāiki Road as a minor, rural street for local traffic and as an alternate route to Highway 11 ROADS Māmalahoa Highway is unsafe in places, particularly for bicyclists between Honuʻapo and Nāʻālehu ROADS General Plan includes a bypass arterial from Nāʻālehu to Wai ōhinu Prioritizes shoulder improvements Prioritizes removal of the bypass WALKING AND BIKING State pedestrian and bicycle plans Trees and rock walls should be preserved along the highway in Nāʻālehu Prioritizes the implementation of the plans, addressing community concerns
TRANSPORTATION Daily routes to Hilo and Kona Routes to Hilo and Kona infrequent No loop route connecting communities in Ka ū Limited bus shelters Prioritizes bus system improvements, including a Ka ū loop route and evening trips to Hilo and Kona Prioritizes bus shelters in every community
4. Builds a Resilient, Sustainable Local Economy (NOTE: for information on agriculture in Ka ū s economy, see Agriculture Station.) Objective 10: Encourage and enhance agriculture, ranching, and related economic infrastructure. Objective 11: Increase the number and diversity of income sources for residents, including jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that complement Ka ū s ecology, culture and evolving demographics. Objective 12: Establish or expand retail, service, dining, and entertainment centers in rural villages and towns capable of supporting Ka ū-appropriate growth. Renewable Energy Increased use of renewable energy Alternative energy/energy self-sufficiency solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal Tawhiri Wind Farm High cost of electricity and fuel in Ka ū High, untapped potential for solar, wind, hydro, and biofuel energy production in Ka ū Guides development of local, renewable, distributed energy networks Prioritizes greater public review of commercial renewable energy projects Many local tradesmen employed elsewhere Some large-scale renewable energy projects have the potential to impact nearby communities
Better health services in different aspects, affordable, more doctors More medical services Health & Wellness Better hospital facilities and advanced equipment; more staff Better medical facilities and healing centers CURRENT TOOLS CHALENGES WHAT THE CDP CAN DO Health and wellness sector in Ka ū is a large local employer There are many traditional and nontraditional health and wellness practitioners in Ka ū Untapped potential for job growth as industry continues to expand Guides the development of a comprehensive, regional network of health and wellness services Guides the development of a regional education, enterprise development, and research network
More places for tourists to stay A hotel, but not on the shoreline Visitors No large hotels small, ecofriendly, and away from the beach Ka ū is a natural draw to the large number of visitors who prefer more authentic experiences and engagement with residents and local culture, including experienceseekers, culture-seekers, adventureseekers, and those interested in agritourism, health and wellness, edutourism, and eco-tourism. Ka ū currently captures very little of the $100 million per year spent in and around Hawai i Volcanoes National Park because of limited dining, lodging, organized activities, and tours. Guides the development of a regional hoʻokipa network a place-based approach to community tourism
Create jobs in Ka ū so members of the community can be employed and live here More jobs and employment opportunities Retail More cottage industries (i.e., coffee shops, shave ice shop) locally owned and operated More small business More local shopping facilities (pharmacy) in existing towns More affordable food markets CURREENT TOOLS CHALLENGES WHAT THE CDP CAN DO Concentrates commercial and industrial uses in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View Commercial and industrial uses related to agriculture are permitted on agricultural lands Ka ū Chamber of Commerce Ka ū MainStreet Local businesses Community partners across sectors Over 125 jobs could be created in Ka ū if retail leakage is addressed through investments in new establishments within Ka ū Concentrates commercial uses in town core Concentrates industrial uses around current industrial uses Guides coordinated, regional strategies to increase buying local
Revolutionize K-12 education An education system where teacher are here because they love the children and are competent and enthusiastic College satellite facilities Education & Research We wish to pull up Hawai i by its toe; and insist that built here...in Nā ālehu...is an extension of Hawai i s adult education facilities to allow all of Kā u residents..nearby...access to the accumulated experience of the world Vocational training center Continuing education and job training center to learn different trades/entrepreneurship Better vocation training in farming and agriculture UH-extension program for agriculture school CURRRENT TOOLS CHALLENGES WHAT THE CDP CAN DO DOE Schools Kamehameha Schools Charter Schools Science Camps of America Clear, sector-specific educational and employment pipelines in high-potential sectors (see above) are underdeveloped Limited training and higher education opportunities available to adults in Ka ū Guides the development a regional education, enterprise development, and research network
It is important to have in the plan specific wording - The County of Hawai i in this development plan for the District of Ka ū supports economic development...there should also be wording clarifying this statement concerning protection of the environment and adherence to the plan. Nevertheless, the specific wording should be part of the plan Regional Network of farms supported by cooperative/ central farmer s co-op to process and get products to market Improved attitude towards business to encourage limited business growth Jobs where people enjoy going so they don t have to travel far Create jobs in Ka ū so members of the community can be employed and live here Ka ū Chamber of Commerce Ka ū MainStreet Ocean View Community Development Corporation Farm Bureau Farmers Union Ka ū Coffee Growers Cooperative Local businesses Community partners across sectors Regional linkages across sectors are weak Some economic development strategies are best coordinated at the regional level regional identity, industry clusters, anchor institutions, advancing innovation, building business and workforce capacity, democratizing ownership, and diversifying investment Guides the coordination of regional, crosssectoral economic development strategies