A message from Mayor Mitch Roth
Planning for a Sustainable Future
What is the General Plan?
The County of Hawai‘i’s General Plan is the blueprint that guides the long-term development of Hawai‘i Island. It considers the needs of the entire island, and provides a sound growth strategy that directs future opportunities related to land use, zoning amendments and capital expenditures. The General Plan strives to position Hawai‘i Island for economic progress while preserving the environment and strengthening community foundations.
Community Development Plans
The Community Development Plans (CDP) translate broad General Plan statements to specific actions, as they apply to specific geographical areas of Hawaiʻi Island. These plans create a vision for future growth, and direct physical development and public improvements within a specific area.
Special Area Plans
Special Area Plans provide the basis for regionally scaled programs for the protection, restoration, or recreational and educational use of specific, natural, and/or cultural and historic resources and features identified in the General Plan or an encompassing Community Development Plan as highly valued community natural assets. Urban Development Plans are a means of implementing the policies and objectives of the General Plan and/or Community Development Plans within towns, villages, and other areas of existing urban development or within areas specifically intended for new or more intensified urban development.
Functional Plans
Public Agency Functional Plans identify priority issues and specific needs of the agency responsible for implementation. The Plan addresses a specific need, program, or issue that the agency is primarily responsible for. Actions may include organizational or management initiatives, facility or physical infrastructure development initiatives, initiatives for programs and services, or legislative proposals.
Regulatory Measures
County laws, regulations, rules, or polices, such as the Zoning Code.
Capital Improvements Program (CIP)
Operating Budget
Updated Process
Participate in the General Plan Comprehensive Review Process
Informational Presentation
Learn about the draft General Plan 2045, comprehensive review process, and the overall framework of the plan in this presentation by the Planning Department.
Final Draft Review
Review the Final Draft Recommended General Plan and provide direct feedback online
Public Informational Workshops
2024 Public Workshops
The in-person public informational workshops will include a formal presentation of the Final Recommended Draft General Plan and will be held on the following dates.
- Workshop #1: August 28, 2024 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Council Chambers (Building A)
- Workshop #2: August 29, 2024 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at the Arc of Hilo 1099 Waianuenue Ave.
2023 Public Workshops
The Planning Department hosted two public informational workshops in Kona and Hilo. The workshops provided opportunities to receive an overview of the draft plan and comprehensive review process, learn about engagement opportunities and commenting options, provide direct feedback, and engage with County representatives about crucial topics.
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Workshop #1: September 30, 2023 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Council Chambers (Building A)
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Workshop #2: October 7, 2023 (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at Aunty Sally's Lūʻau Hale
Online Workshops
2024 Online Workshop
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September 5, 2024 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) - A recording of the webinar will be made available soon.
2023 Online Workshops
The Planning Department hosted two online workshops (via Zoom). The webinars provided additional opportunities to receive an overview of the draft plan and comprehensive review process, learn about engagement opportunities and commenting options, provide direct feedback, and engage with Planning Department representatives about crucial topics.
- Online Workshop #1: October 10, 2023 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
- Online Workshop #2: October 18, 2023 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Roadshow Presentations
The Planning Department conducted various presentations by request to community groups at their regular meetings.
- September 18, 2023: South Kohala CDP Action Committee Meeting
- September 21, 2023: North Hilo Community Council Meeting
- October 5, 2023: Waimea Community Association Meeting
- October 11, 2023: West Hawaiʻi Realtors Association Meeting
- October 13, 2023: Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee Meeting
- October 16, 2023: Waikoloa Village Community Meeting
- October 26, 2023: Council Member Michelle Galimba Talk Story Session
- October 31, 2023: Hawaiʻi Island Food Alliance Meeting
- November 2, 2023: North Kohala CDP Advisory Group Meeting
- November 9, 2023: Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Permitting & Housing Task Force Meeting
- November 11, 2023: United Nations Association Local Chapter Annual Membership Meeting
- November 15, 2023: Hawaiʻi Leeward Planning Conference Meeting
- December 12, 2023: Kona Mauka Rotary Club Meeting
- December 13, 2023: Hāmākua CDP Action Committee Meeting
- December 20, 2023: Engineering Partners/Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaiʻi
Informational Booths
The Planning Department attended various planned community events to provide information on the draft General Plan and comprehensive review process.
- September 9, 2023: Waimea Fire Prevention & Resilience Fair
- September 16, 2023: Hawaiʻi Island Realtors Fair & Expo
- October 21, 2023: Revitalize Puna
- November 3, 2023: Kealakehe High School Career Fair/Advisory Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did the comprehensive update process start?
The Planning Director initiated the comprehensive review of the County of Hawai‘i General Plan (GP) (2005 edition, as amended) on February 6, 2015, pursuant to sections 3-15 and 6-7.2(b)(2) of the Charter of the County of Hawai‘i and section 16.1 of the General Plan.
What happened to the 2019 draft General Plan?
The 2019 draft was presented in workshops around the island in every district. We also hosted topic-focused workshops in Hilo and Kona. We received almost 4,000 comments and have created another draft to address the feedback.
Will changes from the 2019 draft be shown?
The draft includes revisions to address the feedback that was received on the August 2019 draft.
How does the General Plan impact different parts of our island?
The General Plan serves as the overarching policy document that guides development, land use, and resource management across the entire island. The plan encourages growth in areas with existing infrastructure while minimizing impacts on sensitive environments and agricultural lands. While the General Plan outlines island-wide policies, it allows for flexibility to address the unique needs and character of individual regions, ensuring that rural, urban, and coastal areas are all considered. It provides the foundation for more localized community development plans (CDPs), which reflect the specific priorities of different parts of the island. In this way, the General Plan balances island-wide vision with community-level input.
What revisions have been made to the Land Use Map and how will those be implemented?
The General Plan Land Use (GPLU) Maps have been revised based on the input received on the August 2019 draft maps that were available at that time. The GPLU Maps have also incorporated community feedback since the release of the 2023 Draft.
How does the General Plan relate to the Zoning and Subdivision Code Update?
This General Plan update has been ongoing since 2015 and one of the biggest implementation factors has been updates to our codes. There was an opportunity with funding to get the code updates started. The General Plan is prioritized to be completed first and then inform that code update process.
What is the General Plan adoption process?
The Final Recommended Draft was released on July 29, 2024. Following the end of the last public workshop (September 5 webinar), the public will have until September 26 to submit comments on the Recommended Draft. In accordance with the 2005 General Plan, Section 16.1, the Recommended Draft and supporting materials will be submitted to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions. The community will have the opportunity to testify during those hearings. After the Planning Commissions complete their process, the package will go to the County Council for review and adoption, which will also be open for public testimony at the public hearings.
What is the relationship between the GP and the Community Development Plans (CDPs)
The General Plan represents the highest level of the County Planning System and contains long-range strategies for the entire County. The CDPs translate broad General Plan statements to specific actions as they apply to specific geographical areas. They serve to provide a forum for community input to reflect the character of each community.
Thank you for your participation
Long Range Planning Team
GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov (808) 961-8288