As a way for the Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development (PCPLUED) to conduct a thorough, transparent, and accountable review of the Draft General Plan 2045, my office issued a memorandum (Communication No. 326) that outlines the process and meeting schedule for the meetings. My office then issued a memorandum (Communication No. 326.2) on June 24, 2025, outlining the intended meeting cadence and review process. A follow-up memo on July 3, 2025 (Communication No. 326.3) was sent with updated meeting dates, which incorporated feedback from the Council and the community’s request to provide testimony after work hours. Each month, the PCPLUED intends to review different sections of the Draft General Plan 2045. The first meeting of each month is scheduled for 5PM, during which the public can provide testimony on any aspect of the proposed plan, either in Hilo or Kona Chambers, at satellite sites islandwide, or via Zoom. Subsequent meeting(s) that month are intended for deliberations, presentations from the Planning Department, and discussions on the proposed plan.

The process ensures that public testimony is heard, carefully considered, and thoughtfully integrated into the Council’s review. This process allows Council Members to fully absorb testimony, review the relevant sections of the General Plan during recess, and then deliberate in subsequent meetings with the benefit of having community input. Meeting dates in Communication No. 326.2 are on the Council Services calendar, providing Council Members and the community with a clear sense of when meetings will take place. Additional meetings may be scheduled if necessary, in accordance with Sunshine Law. The first special meeting of the PCPLUED every month, starting at 5PM, is reserved for public testimony.

As a part of this extensive review, my office sent out a memo to all County departments, offices, and agencies seeking feedback to better understand how the General Plan influences operations, budget decisions, and capital improvement projects.