Windward Planning Commission, January 8, 2026
Votes on Discussion of proposed amendment to Planning Commission rules regarding commissioner attendance standards, passed
How this board votes
The Windward Planning Commission approved 73% of 22 recorded land-use decisions this period. Most frequent dissent: JoNelle Fukushima (1 of 17 recorded votes).
Parsed from the official meeting recordings. Verify against the official minutes.
See the full board record, member by memberWhat happened
The Windward Planning Commission approved a special permit (PL-SPP-2025-000103) for Thomas L. Schlager and Joseph P. Swick to operate a one-bedroom bed and breakfast within an existing farm dwelling on approximately 1.8 acres at 31-190 Hawaii Belt Road, Hakalau, on a 6-0 vote, co…
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii County, HI
- Governing body
- Advisory (makes a recommendation)
- Date
- January 8, 2026
- Decisions
- 3 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Voted, passed
Projects in this meeting (1)
A project bundles every related decision, across hearingsSpecial permit for one-bedroom bed and breakfast
Recommended 6-0Free sample: decision 1 of 3
Special permit for one-bedroom bed and breakfast at 31-190 Hawaii Belt Road, Hakalau
Application for a special permit to operate a one-bedroom bed and breakfast within an existing 640 sq ft farm dwelling on an approximately 1.8-acre parcel in the state land use agricultural district (A-20A county zoning), applicants Thomas L. Schlager and Joseph P. Swick, who reside on-site and will act as operators; max four guests. Approved based on the planning director's findings, recommendations and conditions with a memo update noting nearest police station approximately 8 miles away. Vote 6 ayes.
- Adopt planning director's findings, recommendations and conditions
- update memo to reflect North Hilo police department approximately 8 miles away
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
The Windward Planning Commission approved a special permit (PL-SPP-2025-000103) for Thomas L. Schlager and Joseph P. Swick to operate a one-bedroom bed and breakfast within an existing farm dwelling on approximately 1.8 acres at 31-190 Hawaii Belt Road, Hakalau, on a 6-0 vote, co…
Key Decisions (3)
Special permit for one-bedroom bed and breakfast at 31-190 Hawaii Belt Road, Hakalau
Discussion of proposed amendment to Planning Commission rules regarding commissioner attendance standards
Discussion of future amendments to Planning Commission rules and procedures
Development Activity (1)
Schlager/Swick one-bedroom bed and breakfast
Commercial
Market Signals (2)
Commercial Demand
Small-scale agricultural landowners in North Hilo are seeking special permits…
Sentiment
Commissioners repeatedly noted persistent vacancies (two open seats out of…
Who Spoke (12)
On the record: the chair, 3 commissioners, the applicant's representative, and 2 members of the public.
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