South Kohala Action Committee - 2026-03-17
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The South Kohala Development Plan Action Committee meeting focused primarily on the long-standing priority of a second access road for Waikoloa Village, with discussion of sending a letter to the mayor requesting current status and timeline. The committee elected Tristi as vice chair for 2026 and discussed but tabled creating permitted interaction groups for the Waikoloa road project and development monitoring. Council member James Kirkowitz provided updates on the General Plan 2045, which is under council review with significant proposed amendments.
Key Decisions (5)
Election of Vice Chair for 2026
Tristi was unanimously elected as vice chair of the South Kohala Development Plan Action Committee for the 2026 calendar year.
November 2025 Meeting Minutes Approval
The committee approved the draft minutes from the November 20, 2025 meeting with no corrections.
Letter to Mayor Regarding Waikoloa Second Access Road
Committee voted to draft and send a letter to the mayor's office, planning director, and department of public works requesting current status and path forward for the Waikoloa second access road connecting to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, referencing page 106 of the 2008 CDP Plan action program.
Permitted Interaction Group for Waikoloa Second Access Road
Discussion of creating a PIG to investigate CDP Action 1.1 (finance and construct second access road to Queen K Highway) was tabled pending response to the letter to the mayor. Committee discussed the history of the project dating back to 2008 and various funding mechanisms including Chapter 32 Community Facilities Districts.
Permitted Interaction Group for Waikoloa Development Monitoring
Discussion of creating a PIG to investigate processes and procedures for development projects in Waikoloa was tabled. Committee discussed concerns about notification of new developments including the Brown Company project on Waikoloa Road and impacts on schools and infrastructure.
Development Activity (4)
Brown Company Development
Includes four-story condos, industrial park, starting with three condos initially. Project started February 2026. Water tank already visible on site.
Waikoloa Greens
Long-range development proposal, recently went through public comment period for potential zoning changes.
Kohale Heights
Using Community Facilities District financing mechanism for infrastructure. Proposing up to 2,600 homes according to books.
Public Housing Condos
Affordable housing development that recently opened.
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
County faces significant budget constraints with approximately $1 billion needed over next 10 years for wastewater treatment facility upgrades, limiting capital budget flexibility for other projects including roads.
Housing Demand
Waikoloa Village has doubled in size over the past 30 years with continued development pressure, yet infrastructure including second access road has not kept pace.
Infrastructure
Council member appropriated $2.5 million in last year's budget for planning and design of Waikoloa arterial road, but full construction estimated at $25-30 million for a two-lane arterial road.
Infrastructure
State Department of Transportation working on evacuation egress road on north end of Waikoloa Village with timeline to finish by end of summer, but county portion still needs funding commitment.