WCA’s Feb. 2, 2023 Hybrid Town Meeting To Focus On Tough Hawai’i County Planning, Zoning, Housing Issues With Planning Director Zendo Kern

Hawai’i County Planning Director Zendo Kern will be in the spotlight during the Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 Waimea Community Association hybrid town meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Kern will discuss his department’s vision, priorities and problem solving efforts to address land use challenges and opportunities that impact many aspects of life county-wide.  This will include the department’s responsibility to provide technical advice and support for the Mayor, planning commissions and County Council, and also administering the county’s subdivision and zoning codes. Topics will include the status of the county’s Community Development Plans (CDPs), the still evolving Electronic Processing and Information Center (EPIC) system, and in-progress subdivision and zoning codes revisions and addressing Transient Accommodation Rentals (TARs). 

The community is invited to attend the meeting in person at Tutu’s House or virtually - streamed “live” to Facebook and YouTube.  To attend virtually, go to the association’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WaimeaCommunityAssociation) or to their website (www.WaimeaTown.org) for a link to YouTube.  The meeting will be recorded to both Facebook and YouTube for on-demand viewing thereafter. 

As always, questions are welcome – ideally in advance – by emailing:  WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com. Questions may also be submitted in writing in person at the meeting or typed into the chat to be addressed as time permits. 

“A full hour will be devoted to this important conversation to provide a reasonable opportunity to cover the wide range and technical nature of planning issues that touch so many – from individual residents and homeowners, businesses large and small, schools, faith organizations and more including non-profits and those who struggle with the high cost of living, soaring property taxes and rapidly shrinking inventory of truly affordable housing,” said WCA President James Hustace. 

As usual, WCA Town Meetings include a brief public safety update by South Kohala Community Policing Officers, and the spotlighted not-for-profit will be Habitat for Humanity.  There also will be a briefing on community-wide plans for the 30th Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Sat., Feb. 4, 2023.  There is much excitement about this year’s festival re-starting after having to be cancelled the past three years due to the COVID pandemic.

This will be WCA’s second hybrid town meeting since the start of the pandemic in April 2020 when meetings went virtual.    

For more info about the meeting or community association, email WCA President James Hustace at WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com or go to www.WaimeaTown.org.Special Guest: Hawai’i County Planning Director Zendo Kern.

Questions about planning and related issues may be emailed prior to the meeting to: WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com. Questions may also be submitted at the in-person meeting or typed into the chat, though these will be responded to as time permits.