Hawaii County Council (Part 2 of 2) - 2026-04-22
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Hawaii County Council approved Resolution 475-26 (5-3 vote) authorizing $10/year leases of six county-owned residential properties to nonprofit organizations for permanent housing for underserved populations. The council also approved Resolution 513-26 authorizing negotiations to acquire a 2.39-acre conservation easement for the Kealoha Family Lo'i in North Kohala, and passed Bill 137 rezoning 5.79 acres at 17-4050 Kua'ainau Road in Puna from Agriculture 20-acre to Family Agriculture 1-acre to allow subdivision into five lots.
Key Decisions (13)
Resolution 475-26: Nonprofit Housing Leases for Six County Properties
Authorized $10/year leases of six county-owned residential properties to nonprofit organizations for permanent housing for underserved populations including families with children and individuals with disabilities. Makani Circle property was removed from the resolution after the potential lessee withdrew interest. Vote was 5-3 with Council Members Connelly-Kleinfelder, Kirkowitz, and Vice Chair Onishi opposed.
Resolution 494-26: Fire Department Lease at 95-1163 Kalakai Rd
Authorized five-year lease agreement with Maui Varieties Investments Incorporated for two units at 95-1163 Kalakai Rd for Hawaii Fire Department use at $2,547.23 per month.
Resolution 495-26: Kīlauea Recovery Grant Program Awards
Approved $501,100 in grant funds to various nonprofit organizations for relief, recovery, mitigation, and long-term resilience for disaster damages from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Introduced by Council Member Kirkowitz.
Resolution 497-26: HUD CDBG Funding Authorization
Authorized receipt of $2,970,000 in federal CDBG funds from HUD for activities and projects in the 2026 Annual Action Plan for Office of Housing Community Development. Administrative costs include approximately $540,000 for salaries, wages, fringe benefits, and operations.
Resolution 498-26: 34 Rainbow Dr Affordable Housing Planning Grant
Authorized receipt of $1 million in state funds for planning and engineering design for roadways and utility improvements for the 34 Rainbow Dr affordable housing proposal.
Resolution 499-26: Honomu Land Exchange for Public Access
Authorized exchange of portions of TMK 2-8-010999 in Honomu, South Hilo with Stella Mae Swain Trust to align Drayton by Lely Rd and ensure public access to Hilo Forest Reserve.
Resolution 513-26: Kealoha Family Lo'i Conservation Easement
Authorized negotiations to acquire conservation easements for approximately 2.39 acres at TMK 5-2-009-025 and 026 (Kealoha Family Lo'i) in North Kohala for cultural and natural resource preservation. Property ranked priority number two in 2025 PONC report. Working with Hawaii Land Trust and NRCS agricultural land easement programs.
Bill 137: Puna Rezoning at 17-4050 Kua'ainau Road
Rezoned 5.79 acres at TMK 17016010 from Agriculture 20-acre to Family Agriculture 1-acre for applicants Benjamin and Olympia Love, allowing subdivision into five lots. Access via Kua'ainau Road (county-maintained) with new private right-of-way.
Bill 138: Kawaneki Beach Park Commercial Activity Prohibition
Amended Hawaii County Code Section 15-20 to prohibit issuance of permits, licenses, or other authorizations for commercial activity within Kawaneki Beach Park.
Bill 142: Adopt-a-County Street Program
Established Adopt-a-County Street Program in partnership with Department of Public Works to enable volunteers to assist in maintaining clean and safe county streets, roadways, and rights-of-way.
Bill 145: Housing Choice Voucher Program Appropriation
Appropriated $1 million in federal grants to Housing Choice Voucher Rental Subsidies Account.
Bill 146: 34 Rainbow Affordable Housing TOD Appropriation
Appropriated $1 million in state grants for transit-oriented development capital improvement program for 34 Rainbow affordable housing project.
Joshua Olu Nomination Withdrawal
Mayor's office withdrew nomination of Joshua Olu to the Casa Government Commission per communication 801.1.
Zoning Changes (1)
17-4050 Kua'ainau Road, Olawapuna, Puna (TMK 17016010)
Benjamin and Olympia Love
Development Activity (3)
34 Rainbow Dr Affordable Housing
Affordable housing development; $1 million state grant approved for planning and engineering design for roadways and utility improvements; additional $1 million TOD appropriation approved
Nonprofit Permanent Housing Program
Six residential properties leased at $10/year for permanent housing for underserved populations; properties require minor repairs funded from affordable housing production fund
Love Family Subdivision
5.79 acres rezoned from Agriculture 20-acre to Family Agriculture 1-acre to allow subdivision into five lots; access via Kua'ainau Road
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Testimony indicated for every one person housed through homeless services, two to four more fall into homelessness, with shelter stays lengthening due to lack of affordable housing inventory.
Housing Demand
GAO study cited showing every $100 increase in average rent correlates with 9% increase in homelessness, indicating severe housing affordability pressures.
Housing Demand
County pursuing multiple permanent supportive housing strategies including $10/year nonprofit leases and $2 million in state/federal funding for 34 Rainbow Dr affordable housing project.
Infrastructure
County approved $2.97 million CDBG allocation with administrative costs of approximately $540,000 supporting housing and community development programs.
Sentiment
Community opposition to homeless housing facilities expressed concerns about property values and safety, though council majority supported permanent supportive housing model with wraparound services.