The county advertised a Request for Proposal for a Community Development Plan for North and South Kona in the spring of 2005. A committee appointed by Mayor Kim chose the consultant, Wilson Okamoto. The RFP states that the CDP for Kona “shall be a pilot CDP to test new planning and community participation methods”. The lessons learned can then be incorporated into improved processes for subsequent CDPs. This is a summary of the Scope of Work that was approved by Hawaii County.

The consultant was tasked with providing:

• Inclusiveness (innovative methods, strengthen community cohesion, promote partnerships, foster new leadership)
• Building a partnership of government and community where all are held accountable
• Focus the plan to result in practical and pragmatic implementation
• Identify the significant cultural and natural features that define the uniqueness of the community but also protect private rights and do not stifle individual creativity.
• Focus on regional interests is considered in the context of the welfare of the island.

Desired Outcomes are:

• Reader-friendly document will result in a plan that is clear, concise, well illustrated.
• Community network established that evolves from the plan preparation phase
• “Living” Plan will consider incorporation of indicators to track progress for meeting goals and objectives
• County support system, weigh the plan’s action items and priorities in context of island needs.
• Action Plan with land use requirements, regulatory changes, budgetary items and community implementation actions.

The Project Team includes:

Wilson Okamoto Corporation, lead consultant

• Gary T. Okamoto, Principal-in-Charge
• Earl Matsukawa AICP, Project Manager
• Pete Pascua: coordinate the transportation component with Charlier Associates
• Cathy Leong P.E., traffic engineer
• Dean Minakami AICP: background related to use of computer-based mapping of environmental and land use resources
• Michael Fujita, P.E.: computer modeling for civil engineering design projects
• Tracy Fukuda, planner
• Lance Oyama P.E. experienced in utility master planning and systems design, ADA compliance improvements, highway and road design, hydrology and hydraulic design, etc.

Environmental Simulation Center (ESC):

• Michael Kwartler, FAIA. is known for his urban design, theory and practice of legislating good city form and development and application of information technology to planning and design.
• Paul Patnode, AICP. ESC’s expert in decision-making support systems as well as an architect and urban planner.

ACP – Visioning & Planning Ltd.

• Gianni Longo pioneered development of programs designed to involve citizens in decision-making process. Firm was formed to improve the livability of communities through the integration of visioning, strategic and physical planning and related services.

Charlier Associates, Inc.

• A multi-modal transportation planning firm, specializing in innovative approaches to improving mobility and moving beyond traditional solutions and approaches.

Harrison B. Rue, Citizen Planner Institute

• Assisting in designing and implementing public involvement program and training facilitators for public meetings and workshops.

David Paul Rosen & Associates

• A nationally recognized public interest consulting firm, specializing in capital formation strategies for affordable housing and local economic development. Leading-edge analysis, policy guidance and program design.

Will Allen, The Conservation Fund

• Strategic conservation programs specializing in rapid open space assessments, green infrastructure planning, gateway communities and other services.

Tasks and Process

A. PREPARATION:

Task A.1 Create Recognition and Awareness developed with name, tagline and graphics; calendar of public activities, media campaign, comprehensive public relations plan targeted to local media, etc.

Task A.2 Manage a specific effort to involve traditional stakeholders in a foundation.

Task A.3 “Green Infrastructure” GIS-based map that depicts a network plan based on Green Infrastructure” principles to protect resource base, support communities and sustain the economy.

Task A.4 Develop and Infrastructure/Public Facilities GIS-based map for existing and planned infrastructure.

Task A.5 Develop a current trend or ‘business-as-usual’ scenario based on population growth forecasts, existing natural, regulatory and infrastructure constraints.

Task A.6 Preliminary Measures and Indicators will research existing community plans, review preliminary findings and solicit input.

B. WHERE DO WE GROW?

Task B.1 Stakeholder workshops

Task B.2 develop prototypical alternative patterns

Task B.3 performance-based planning

C. HOW DO WE GROW?

Task C.1 Conduct two three-day charrettes in Kona (descriptions follow)

Task C.2 Prototypical development patterns used to evaluate the impacts of various patterns at both local and regional scales.

D. IMPLEMENTATION

Task D.1 Draft the CDP for public review and comment.

Task D.2 Conduct a series of public hearings within CDP area

Task D.3 Consultant prepares a final CDP and a presentation workshop.

Task D.4 Compile a Community Profile and Indicators Catalog to be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the CDPs actions/outcomes/activities.

The Hawaii County General Plan sets forth broad goals, objectives and policies. Implementation requires translating these broad statements to specific actions, systematically evaluating progress and active community participation. In this regard, follow-up planning efforts will involve the preparation of Community Development Plans, Capital Improvement Program and an annual report. The Community Development Plans will be adopted by ordinance, as is the Hawaii County General Plan.

Community Development Plans are intended to be the forum for community input into managing growth and coordinating the delivery of government services to the community. The Community Development Plans will translate the broad General Plan statement to specific actions as they apply to specific geographical areas. The Community Development Plans shall focus on action for regulatory actions, incentive measures, acquisition actions, capital budgeting actions, programs and development/redevelopment.

The Capital Improvement Projects can influence where growth occurs, more equitable distribute County services and promote important objectives such as affordable housing.

The Annual report is to monitor progress towards achieving General Plan goals, objective and policies. The Mayor submits the annual report to the Council together with the capital and operational budgets in accordance with the budget submittal timetable set forth in the Hawaii County Charter.

For more information, please call the Kona CDP Hotline at 808-326-7269 or Email us at kona@hawaiiislandplan.com.