Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Kona CDP Action Committee voted to recommend that the County Council reject the proposed General Plan 2026 (a 72-page replacement introduced by Council Member Ashley Kirkowitz) and instead continue working with and adopt Bill 66 Draft 2, the General Plan 2045. The committee expressed concern that GP 2026 strips out implementation chapters critical to community development plans. The committee also celebrated Kona's official Tree City USA designation and discussed next steps for the tree program.
Key Decisions (2)
Testimony opposing General Plan 2026 substitution
The Action Committee voted to submit testimony to the County Council Policy Committee recommending against substituting General Plan 2045 (Bill 66 Draft 2) with the proposed General Plan 2026 amendment. The testimony states that GP 2026 does not qualify as an amendment but constitutes a complete rewrite requiring new public process. Vote was unanimous among members present.
Minutes approval - March 10, 2026
Committee approved the draft minutes from the March 10, 2026 meeting.
Market Signals (3)
Sentiment
Strong public opposition to General Plan 2045 from multiple testifiers citing concerns about outside stakeholder influence, climate change provisions, and property rights, while others warned that GP 2026 would eliminate community-based planning protections.
Housing Demand
Discussion of vacation rental regulations (Bill 147) indicates ongoing policy debate about short-term rental expansion into new districts, which could impact housing availability and land use patterns.
Infrastructure
Tree City USA designation achieved for the county, with discussion of potential grant funding opportunities for tree planting and urban forestry programs.