About the General Plan
The County of Hawai‘i’s General Plan is the blueprint that guides the long-term development of Hawai‘i Island. It considers the needs of the entire island, and provides a sound growth strategy that directs future opportunities related to land use, zoning amendments and capital expenditures. The General Plan strives to position Hawai‘i Island for economic progress while preserving the environment and strengthening community foundations.
For more information, please visit the Hawai’i County Planning Department’s General Plan 2045 webpage.
Summary of Timeline
The Hawaiʻi County Council began reviewing the Draft General Plan 2045 in April 2025 after it was transmitted by the Planning Department. Throughout 2025, the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development conducted a series of public meetings and deliberations to review the plan section by section, gather community input, and receive feedback from County departments on how the General Plan guides government decision-making.
Following a holiday recess, the committee resumed its work in March 2026 with an updated version of the plan, Bill 66, Draft 2, and continued refining the document through additional meetings and amendments. After more than a year of public testimony, committee review, and Council deliberation, Bill 66, Draft 2 advanced through the legislative process and was ultimately approved by the Hawaiʻi County Council on June 3, 2026.
Outlined Timeline of the Hawaiʻi County Council Legislative Review of the Draft General Plan 2045
APRIL 2025 – General Plan Transmitted to Council
The Draft General Plan 2045 transmitted to Council via. Communication. No. 372 for review.
MAY 2025 – Meeting Candence Set
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 via Communication No. 326 that outlined the process and meeting schedule for the meetings.
JUNE 2025 – Meeting Schedule Sent to Council Members
My office issued a memorandum via. Communication No. 326.2, outlining the intended meeting cadence and review process. Each month, the PCPLUED intended to review different sections of the Draft General Plan 2045. The first meeting of each month was scheduled for 5PM, during which the public provided 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 were intended for deliberations, presentations from the Planning Department, and discussions on the proposed plan.
The process ensured that public testimony was heard, carefully considered, and thoughtfully integrated into the Council’s review. This process allowed 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 were provided on the Council Services calendar, providing Council Members and the community with a clear sense of when meetings will take place. The first special meeting of the PCPLUED every month, starting at 5PM, were reserved for public testimony.
JULY 2025 – July Special Meeting Schedule Issued
Memorandum via. Communication No. 326.3 issued, suggesting a pathway for the July 2025 special meetings. The Committee focused on the “Introduction” and “Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship” sections, accepting public testimony during its meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 5PM (click to watch meeting recording), and continued discussions and deliberations of Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 9AM (click to watch meeting recording).
AUGUST 2025 – August Special Meeting Schedule Issued
Memorandum via. Communication No. 326.4 issued, suggesting a pathway for the August 2025 special meetings. The Committee focused on the “Addressing Climate Change for Islandwide Health” section, accepting public testimony during its meeting on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 5PM (click to watch meeting recording), and continued discussions and deliberations of Monday, August 25, 2025, at 9AM (click to watch meeting recording).
My office then issued another memorandum via. Communication No. 372.31 transmitted to all County leadership requesting feedback on how the General Plan has been used to guide operations, budgets, priorities, and decision-making.
SEPTEMBER 2025 – September Special Meeting Schedule Issued
Memorandum via. Communication No. 326.5 issued, suggesting a pathway for the September 2025 special meetings. The Committee focused on the “Sustainable & Resilient Communities” section, accepting public testimony during its meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 5PM (click to watch meeting recording), and continued discussions and deliberations of Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 9AM (click to watch meeting recording). An additional meeting was convened on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 9AM for continued deliberations (click to watch meeting recording).
My office issued another memorandum via. Communication 372.54, transmitting a memo by Planning Director Jeff Darrow, regarding General Plan contract costs, outlining the budgeted amounts for the comprehensive review and updates to the plan.
My office then issued a third memorandum via. Communication No. 372.55, transmitting submitted responses to Communication No. 372.31 from County leadership. Animal Control & Protection Agency and the Office of Housing and Development did not provide comment.
OCTOBER 2025 – October Special Meeting Schedule Issued
Memorandum via. Communication No. 326.6 issued, suggesting a pathway for the October 2025 special meetings. The Committee focused on the “Thriving, Diverse, and Regenerative Economy” and the “Implementation & Monitoring” sections, accepting public testimony during its meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 5PM (click to watch meeting recording), and continued discussions and deliberations of Monday, October 27, 2025, at 9AM (click to watch meeting recording).
Memorandum via. Communication No. 372.57 issued, transmitting submitted responses to Communication No. 372.31 from the Office of Housing and Community Development.
*NOVEMBER 2025 – FEBRUARY 2026* - Holiday Break (No Special Meetings Scheduled)
MARCH 2026 – Updates and March Special Meeting for the Draft General Plan 2045
My office filed Communication No. 372.192, a proposed amendment to the Draft General Plan 2045, filed as Bill 66, Draft 2.
Then, my office filed Communication No. 372.193, suggesting a pathway for the March 2026 special meeting. The Committee resumed deliberations and considered updates to the plan, via. Communication No. 372.192 during its meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 9AM (click to watch meeting recording).
As a way to provide a brief foundational orientation to the plan, my office filed Communication No. 372.194, detailing what the plan is, how it was developed, and how it is intended to be used. Then, my office filed Communication No. 372.195 explaining how that material was used, what was adjusted and why, and how the 2026 Plan aligns with Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 226 and the Hawaiʻi County Charter.
APRIL 2026 – Committee Reconvenes
The Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development reconvened on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (click to watch meeting recording), to resume deliberations on considered updates to the plan, via. Communication No. 372.192. The Committee voted to postpone the bill for further deliberations to Monday, May 4, 2026.
Then, my office issued another memorandum via Communication No. 372.202 as an update on the work refining the draft General Plan 2026, including requested additions such as land use maps, land use designations subcategories, definitions, and objectives.
MAY 2026 – Bill 66, Draft 2 forwarded to Council with a Favorable Recommendation
The Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development reconvened on Monday, May 4, 2026 (click to watch meeting recording), to continue deliberations on proposed updates to the plan. On the main motion, Bill 66, Draft 2, was forwarded to first reading with a 5–4 favorable vote. Council Members Kagiwada, Kimball, Villegas, Galimba, and Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder voted in favor, while Council Members Hustace, Inaba, Onishi, and myself voted in opposition.
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Council heard Bill 66, Draft 2 (click to watch meeting recording) to continue deliberations on proposed updates to the plan. On the main motion, the bill was forwarded to second and final reading with a 6-3 favorable vote. Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder, Kimball, and Villegas voted in favor, while Council Members Onishi, Inaba, and myself voted in opposition.
JUNE 2026 – Bill 66, Draft 2 approved by Council
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Council heard Bill 66, Draft 2 (meeting recording coming soon) to complete deliberations on proposed updates to the plan. On the main motion, the bill passed second and final reading with a 5-3 favorable vote. Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kimball, and Villegas voted to pass the bill, while Council Members Onishi, Inaba, and myself voted in opposition. Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder was absent for the final vote.