Waimea Town Hall to address unexploded ordnance cleanup, drug seizures, proposed legislation

At the upcoming Waimea Town meeting on Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will address the current unexploded ordnance cleanup slated to begin at Waimea-Kohala Airport this month, as well as the latest statistics of drug seizures made by Hawai‘i Island police and proposed county legislation.

The meeting will take place on Thursday from 5:30-7 p.m. in the W.M. Keck Observatory Conference Room, located at 65-1120 Māmalahoa Highway. It will also be streamed online. Go to http://www.WaimeaTown.org before the meeting begins to participate virtually.

The U.S. Army briefing also will review the Army Corps’ 3Rs public safety program to help prevent injuries due to possible unexploded ordance in the region.

Capt. Ed Buyten and Lt. Erich Jackson, leaders of the police department’s Vice Division, will go over the latest drug seizure data. Those attending the meeting in person also will get to meet Kim, a 4-year-old German Short Haired Pointer from the Netherlands who is a key member of Hawai’i Police Department’s K9 unit.

Waimea-North Hawai’i-Hamakua Council Members Heather Kimball and James Hustace will be present to discuss “serious backyard county issues,” including a new senior farmer tax abatement program, accessory dwelling unit and short-term vacation rental policies, the ongoing General Plan review process.

The council members will also discuss the county’s budget and the challenges they face due to federal cuts and urgent wastewater upgrades. A proposed solution is a new tiered property tax system to help generate revenue.

A new proposed Construction Code Commission will also be discussed by the council members.

“There’s so much occurring across the State and Country – more so with the 2026 Legislature in session and controversial budget decisions in Congress – that it’s easy to miss critical discussions and decisions being made right here on island that the County Council and Administration are working on,” said Nancy Carr Smith, Waimea Community Association president. “These are complex issues that impact many across the district and island and we hope residents will attend to get a deeper understanding of the issues and weigh in.”

For those participating virtually, email questions in advance to WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com. Questions will be answered as time permits and presenters will be available before and after the meeting to discuss suggestions and concerns.

For more information, email Nancy Carr Smith at WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com or go to www.WaimeaTown.org.