Hawaii County Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Hawaii County held 18 public meetings covering zoning matters. 16 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 14 approved (93% approval rate), 1 denied, 1 deferred. Activity was up 33% compared to April (454 activity items across 19 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Special permit for Tepe Mountain LLC annual festival and base yard

Approved.

Approved special permit PL-SPP-2024-000075 for an annual four-day festival ('Falls on Fire') with overnight camping for up to 500 attendees and storage of up to six commercial vehicles on 14.7 acres of a 1,419-acre agricultural parcel at 27-476 Indian Tree Road, Papaikou, South Hilo. Adopted hearing officer Sherry Broder's findings of fact and 20 conditions with amendments. Moved by Vice Chair Perrin, seconded by Commissioner Frattinardo. Roll call 4-1; Commissioner Fukushima voted no.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

SMA use permit approval - Pueo Project educational and research facility

Approved.

Approved special management area use permit for the Pueo Project, an educational and research facility on three parcels totaling 1.97 acres along Pueo Street near Wailuku Falls, South Hilo. Applicants Hunani Kane PhD, Cliff Kapono PhD, and John H.R. Burns PhD; represented by land use consultant Darren Araya. Three-phase, 15-year buildout: Phase 1 - 2,730 sq ft caretaker residence, two-car garage, pavilions, floating pier; Phase 2 - 2,900 sq ft halau, 1,280 sq ft restroom, 20 parking stalls; Phase 3 - two 1,256 sq ft cabins with eight studio units. Resort-zoned property. Passed, one excused.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Resolution 569-26 - warehouse lease at 73-4081 Hilo Koa Drive

Approved.

Committee forwarded Resolution 569-26 to Council with favorable recommendation, authorizing the Mayor to enter a three-year lease with GEO Investment Company Inc. for warehouse space at 73-4081 Hilo Koa Drive for the Department of Public Works, with initial security deposit of $4,896 and estimated monthly cost of approximately $3,240 for the first year, increasing thereafter. Funded through highway fund. Nine members in favor.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Amendment to Resolution 574-26 (communication 905.3)

Denied.

Kagiwara's amendment to substitute communication 905.3, raising tier one and apartment class rates, long-term rental at $7.65, projected ~$30.4 million revenue vs ~$17.8 million. Failed (Galimba and Kagiwara in favor; Kimball absent).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

SMA use permit approval - single-family dwelling in Hawaiian Paradise Park

Approved.

Approved special management area use permit for construction of a two-story, four-bedroom single-family dwelling (total floor area 4,978 sq ft), swimming pool (180 sq ft), and related improvements on a 0.57-acre shoreline parcel Makai of Beach Road in Hawaiian Paradise Park, Puna. Applicant Scott Schrader; represented by land use consultant Darren Araya. Includes 500 sq ft two-car garage, covered lanais, on-site well and DOH-approved wastewater, six-foot CRM wall up to 40-foot shoreline setback. Passed, one excused.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Amendment to Condition L of Ordinance 15-104, Holualoa (Parcel 54 stewardship entity)

Deferred.

Planning director's request for CRC review/recommendation on the entity responsible for management of archaeological/cultural features on Parcel 54 in Aohau, North Kona (TMKs 375009-67 and 75009-54). Owner George Baker (bought 2013) seeks to allow his HOA to maintain Parcel 54 rather than a nonprofit, tied to a 92-condo project. Condition requires conveyance to identified entity for one dollar. Commission voted unanimously to invite lineal descendants to the next meeting to discuss appropriate stewardship groups; staff tasked with identifying descendants. Vote: Haumea aye, Kinney aye, Gamayo aye, Six aye, Spiegelman aye, Clark aye.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Motion to continue drafting emergency access letter for Green Sands/Mark Twain subdivisions

Approved.

Committee approved a motion for Catherine and Yvette to continue drafting a letter to residents of both subdivisions regarding a recorded emergency fire-access easement (CDP Policy 118, Section 5.7.2), to invite community residents to review the draft at the next meeting, to incorporate the fire department (letter to come from the fire department), and to invite the fire captain to attend. Approved by voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Resolution 574-26 – FY2027 Real Property Tax Rates

Approved.

Set FY ending June 30, 2027 real property tax rates: lowers affordable rental and homeowner classes from $5.95 to $5.75 per $1,000; raises Residential Tier 2 from $13.60 to $14.50; sets Residential Tier 3 at $17 and long-term rental at $7.75. Projected ~$17 million more revenue. Introduced by Council Member Inaba. Adopted 8-0 (Kimball absent).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 16 recorded zoning decisions. See all Hawaii County meetings →

Zoning Changes

• CV-10 → DPC at Pahoa Village (Downtown Pahoa Commercial district boundaries), Puna
• RS-10 → DPC at Pahoa Village (Downtown Pahoa Commercial district boundaries), Puna

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 117 instances
• commercial: 88 instances
• land use: 75 instances
• residential: 51 instances
• industrial: 30 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 125% from April.
• Commercial came up 126% more often than April.
• Industrial saw 76% more mentions month-over-month.

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