Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development - 2026-03-10
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development held a special meeting primarily focused on the County of Hawaii General Plan 2045 (Bill 66 Draft 2). Council member Kirkowitz introduced a proposed General Plan 2026 amendment (Communication 372.192) intended to replace the 2045 draft, but Planning Director Jeff Darrow raised concerns that the new draft lacked public input and agency review. The committee postponed Bill 66 to April 7, 2026, pending additional documentation showing the nexus between the 2026 and 2045 plans, mapping amendments, and corporation counsel legal opinion.
Key Decisions (2)
Postponement of Bill 66 Draft 2 - General Plan 2045
Bill 66 Draft 2, which adopts the County of Hawaii General Plan 2045 and repeals ordinance 05-025, was postponed to the April 7, 2026 committee meeting. The postponement allows time for council member Kirkowitz to provide documentation showing the 2026 plan is an amendment to the 2045 plan, for mapping work to be completed, and for corporation counsel to provide legal opinion by March 27, 2026.
Motion to Forward Communication 372.192 Withdrawn
Council member Eustace withdrew the motion to forward Communication 372.192 (proposed General Plan 2026 amendments) to the planning department and planning commissions. The withdrawal was made to allow the committee to postpone the main bill instead.
Market Signals (2)
Sentiment
Planning Director expressed concern that the proposed General Plan 2026 represents a complete rewrite rather than an amendment, lacking the public input and agency review that informed the decade-long General Plan 2045 process with over 8,600 public comments.
Infrastructure
Discussion revealed the county lacks internal GIS mapping capacity for general plan amendments, relying on consultant Focused Planning Solutions for all mapping work, which may impact timeline and cost of future plan modifications.