HAWAIʻI COUNTY RELEASES FINAL RECOMMENDED DRAFT OF GENERAL PLAN 2045
HAWAIʻI COUNTY RELEASES FINAL RECOMMENDED DRAFT OF GENERAL PLAN 2045
The County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department is pleased to announce the release of the Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045, a comprehensive long-term policy document aimed at guiding the physical, economic, environmental, and sociocultural development of Hawaiʻi County over the next 25 years.
“Sustainability means responsibly safeguarding our environment, resources, and culture so that future generations can thrive,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “The General Plan is our roadmap, guiding us to achieve this vital balance. It ensures that our actions as a community align with our commitment to future generations. We take pride in the work accomplished by our community thus far and eagerly anticipate further collaboration to create a plan as diverse and vibrant as the communities we serve.”
Background and Purpose: The Draft General Plan 2045 serves as the County’s blueprint for sustainable development and community resilience. It integrates policies across various sectors, emphasizing the conservation of natural resources, climate change adaptation, urban design, infrastructure development, and economic growth. This plan is the culmination of extensive community input and strategic planning efforts to ensure the wellbeing and prosperity of Hawaiʻi County residents.
Key Elements:
- Biocultural Stewardship: Ensure natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed, preserved, and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment.
- Climate Change & Health: Support a just transition to climate resilience by addressing the causes and impacts of climate change through incorporating equitable climate mitigation and adaptation priorities into policies, programs, infrastructure, and decision-making.
- Sustainable Development: Apply progressive land use strategies and place-based practices to direct and manage growth with a focus on providing sustainable public infrastructure, affordable housing, public safety, education, health, and social services.
- Thriving Economy: Promote a diverse, regenerative, and innovative economy, that maintains a high quality of life for residents with a focus on increasing local economic opportunities, maintaining a robust agricultural industry, and ensuring a responsible visitor industry that respects the uniqueness of the island.
Planning Process: The Draft General Plan 2045 was developed through a detailed and inclusive process involving community engagement and technical analysis. Key milestones include:
- 2015: Gathering preliminary data and community input. Analyzing conditions and identifying issues.
- 2016-2017: Assessing potential future outcomes and developing scenarios like Baseline, Build-Out, and Trend. Conducted numerous public workshops to refine goals and policies based on community input.
- 2018-2020: Development of policy language based on input and analysis. Releasing the first draft of policy language, focusing on economic progress, environmental preservation, and community strengthening.
- 2021-2023: Further development of draft material based on 2019/2020 public and agency input. Updating the draft to include a detailed section narratives, vision, goals, objectives, policies, and actions.
- 2024: Refining and finalizing revisions based on 2023 public and agency input. Conducting final workshops and initiation of the adoption process.
- Throughout the comprehensive review process, outreach has included but is not limited to the following:
| Public Meetings: | Other Outreach | |
| 16 – Public Workshop | 7 – Council Resolutions (2015) | |
| 6 – Topic Specific Public Workshops | 18 – Public Notices/Press Releases | |
| 27 – Community Group/Roadshow | 37 – Public Agency Meetings | |
| 47 – Action Committee Meetings | 30 – Large Landowner Meetings | |
| 33 – County Council Updates | ~ 650 – 2015 Public Comments | |
| 4020+ public participation | ~4000 – 2019 Public Comments | |
| ~2500 – 2023 Public Comments |
More information about the overall planning process including past drafts, public comments, reference materials, analysis reports, and more is available on the Planning Department website: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp
Next Steps: The Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 is available for review and comment online, and copies are going out to local libraries. The County of Hawaiʻi encourages all residents to review the GP and provide feedback through Konveio, an interactive online platform. The link to the Konveio site is: cohplanning.konveio.com.
In-person Public Informational Workshops will include a formal presentation of the Final Recommended Draft and will be held:
- August 28, 2024, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building A from 2pm to 4pm.
- August 29, 2024, Arc of Hilo, 1099 Waianuenue Ave from 2pm to 4pm.
- Online workshop opportunities will be available with more information to come soon.
Following the guidelines set out by the current 2005 General Plan, the public will have 21 days after the last workshop to share their comments with the Planning Director. Once this period ends, the Final Recommended Draft and all public comments will be packaged and sent to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions. They will have 150 days to review and provide their recommendations to the County Council. We invite all community members to join in and share their thoughts during this process.
To stay informed about upcoming events, progress, and the overall process, you may sign up for the Department’s eNews at www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/connect.
For more information about the overall GP Comprehensive Review process, visit our website at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp.
You may contact the Planning Department at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720, via phone at (808) 961-8288, or email at GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov.
