Public comment period for Hawai‘i County General Plan extended

Hawaiʻi County officials extended the public comment period for the county’s General Plan Comprehensive Review and Update to ensure ample time for feedback, at the request of community members.

The county is now accepting public comment on the document till April 1, 2024. Click here to review the policy rationale document, which is now available in the General Plan.

The General Plan, a vital document shaping the future of Hawaiʻi County for the next 25 years, plays a pivotal role in addressing community challenges, harnessing opportunities, and creating a shared vision. It covers a broad spectrum of crucial topics, including active living, climate change, quality jobs, housing choice and affordability, local economy, and traffic.

“The General Plan is more than just a document; it is a living roadmap for the direction of our County and our communities,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “This is why it is so important to give all on our island who wish to contribute their manaʻo ample opportunity to do so. We are working on forging a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island where our keiki can raise their keiki for generations, and we cannot do that without a plan that is as vibrant and diverse as the communities we serve.”

After the extended public comment period, planners will evaluate and incorporate the feedback received into a final recommended draft, marking the beginning of the adoption process. The final recommended draft will be forwarded to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions for separate hearings.

All community members are encouraged to participate in the process, offering their testimonies during the hearings. The County Council is responsible for the final review and adoption and will also provide an opportunity for public testimony.

To stay informed about upcoming events, progress, and the overall process, interested individuals can sign up for the Department’s eNews at www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/connect.

For more information, contact the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720. You can reach them at 808-961-8288 or email GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov.

“We extend our gratitude to all the communities, stakeholders, County and State agencies, Community Development Plan Action Committees, and the Hawaiʻi County Council, who have actively engaged in the extensive public outreach process and provided the thousands of comments already received,” stated Zendo Kern, Director of the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department.