Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development - 2026-02-03
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development forwarded three bills to the Windward Planning Commission aimed at revitalizing Downtown Pahoa following volcanic eruptions, fires, and the pandemic. Bill 126 creates the Downtown Pahoa Commercial District as a new special zoning district with expanded permitted uses including cultural enterprises. Bill 124 authorizes rezoning properties from CV-10 and RS-10 to the new DPC designation. Bill 125 clarifies procedures for the existing Pahoa Village Design District and its review committee.
Key Decisions (3)
Bill 126 - Downtown Pahoa Commercial District Creation
Forwarded to Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department. Creates the Downtown Pahoa Commercial District as a new special zoning district between Post Office Road and Loop along Pahoa Village Road. Establishes new permitted uses including coworking innovation hubs, creative media spaces, and cultural enterprises. This is not an improvement district and carries no special tax assessment.
Bill 124 - Rezoning for Downtown Pahoa Commercial District
Forwarded to Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department. Authorizes rezoning properties in Downtown Pahoa from Village Commercial 10,000 sq ft (CV-10) and Single Family Residential 10,000 sq ft (RS-10) to Downtown Pahoa Commercial (DPC). Property owners must opt-in to be included in the rezoning ordinance; those who do not opt-in would need to apply for rezone individually.
Bill 125 - Pahoa Village Design District Amendments
Forwarded to Windward Planning Commission and Planning Department. Clarifies duties, procedures, and regulations for the Pahoa Village Design Guidelines and Pahoa Design Review Committee established in 2013. Specifies application process for committee membership, review authority, and triggers overdue 10-year guideline review.
Zoning Changes (1)
Downtown Pahoa - properties between Post Office Road and Loop along Pahoa Village Road, Waiakahaiula, Puna
Council member Kirkwitz on behalf of property owners who opt-in
Development Activity (1)
Hale Halawai O Puna
Cultural gathering space on the old Akebono Theatre lot, referenced as catalyst for cultural enterprise zoning provisions
Market Signals (3)
Commercial Demand
Downtown Pahoa has struggled economically following the 2018 volcanic eruption, Akebono Theatre fire, and pandemic, with many businesses closing and residents relocating.
Sentiment
Strong community support exists for preserving Pahoa's plantation-era character while enabling economic diversification through cultural enterprises, coworking spaces, and creative media uses.
Housing Demand
Property owners in Downtown Pahoa may convert residential properties to commercial use under new zoning, with tax assessment based on actual use rather than zoning designation.