[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6676015,"mediaKeyId","3693448-6685ce8080bf095728d9c6b2eb244e62","parentId",3693448,"title","Council rejects proposed Waimea rezoning after months of opposition from residents","audioSeconds",3175,"startMs",1143000,"endMs",4318000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3693448-6685ce8080bf095728d9c6b2eb244e62&start=1143&end=4318","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3693448-6685ce8080bf095728d9c6b2eb244e62/thumbnail_1143000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6676015/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Council-rejects-proposed-Waimea-rezoning-after-months-of-opposition-from-residents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676015-0c6994020b6e8bfe06c90e7cef89e313/orig.mp4?Expires=1770402529&Signature=Xhh3BDPA7GQoQBaoVB2Z1dywTcrQcMqOK3t-hX8u5wsxJqB1PidDaedu0eT0eb00gjolhPPACqq-lLqpHuvdYdkk1Fhne~4GrXiyIlrb2VKoPNKL6H4srEVtes1GFIu1PqKd3H8gFWBVK0XOpLlvWsWAy-Iw7RFkhVhW0q6SkEWHYr60tJDg-xJioni1zu3HsI0Og29ho3hiE20RpGNyq~O8ygHNELGAvETSX~aYpXP5yY2YDGr5CbphxdIkBDAttwmFVZh99dXfWEJ9Ti9nYrT0apyrFTBuf81L1AcGPfpudOkogFEOz8sP0n1uQtT16grCeIDDOpCCNi72UKAadQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii County","date","2025-06-04T09:01:00Z","article","HILO — Two companion measures asking the County Council to reclassify and rezone a 5.349-acre property in Waimea (South Kohala) drew sustained, often emotional opposition from residents at the June 4 meeting and were not approved on first reading.

The proposals—Bill 198 (a state land-use boundary amendment to move a portion of the parcel from agricultural to rural) and Bill 199 (a county zoning change to allow smaller residential ag lots and three commercial parcels along Mamalahoa Highway)—had drawn large turnouts and extensive written and oral testimony over several years. Opponents argued the project threatened prime agricultural soils, would increase traffic on already-congested local roads, and would accelerate gentrification and higher property taxes for long-term residents.

Community objections and council action: Several dozen residents and community leaders testified in Hilo and via remote sites across the island. Testimony emphasized agricultural preservation, traffic safety on Mamalahoa Highway, cultural and generational ties to the land, and skepticism that the project would result in affordable housing for local residents. Kristen Counter, who lives adjacent to the site, urged the council to keep the land in agricultural zoning and proposed alternative approaches to create housing while preserving ag land that she said could produce more housing units without commercial rezoning.

The county planning department and the applicant described voluntary commitments from the developer, including offering two half-acre parcels to an affordable-housing land trust and design-limitations for commercial buildings; council debate focused on whether those commitments and the proposed design changes were sufficient to address community concerns.

Formal votes: The council considered amendments and motions on both bills. After a sponsor-amendment process and full roll-call votes, the council rejected the rezoning measure (Bill 199 as amended) by a council tally recorded as four in favor and five opposed; the motion failed. The state-land-use boundary amendment (Bill 198) was put to a first-reading vote separately and was not approved; the clerk recorded the motion as failing with one vote in favor and eight opposed. Because the bills are interdependent, council members said the sequence and the conflicts between state land-use designations and county zoning made the approvals complex; planning staff also warned that approving one without the companion measure would create inconsistent land-use classifications.

Why it matters: The decisions preserve the property's existing agricultural classification for now and reflect strong community resistance to infill commercial development on prime soils in Waimea. Multiple residents said the project would accelerate housing cost pressure and further erode Waimea's ranching and agricultural character.

What's next: Because the measures were not approved, the applicant may choose to revise the proposals, return with new conditions or pursue other legal land-use pathways. Council members and staff said the department will continue to review any supplemental materials the applicant sends and that future hearings could occur if the applicant changes the application.

Speakers and testimony highlights: Long-time Waimea residents described the area as irreplaceable prime agricultural land and warned of traffic and infrastructure strain. Donna Payne Parker, CC Davenport, Anna Kaho'pe and others described Waimea's agricultural programs, local culture and the risk of gentrification. Developer John Metzler and representatives said they would donate two half-acre lots for affordable housing to a land trust and limit some commercial uses, but those offers did not change the council's final votes.

Sources: Hawaii County Council transcript, June 4, 2025; council roll-call and sponsor statements recorded in the meeting minutes.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hawaii County - County Council Meeting - Jun 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extensive public comment and debate on June 4, the Hawaii County Council declined to approve two companion measures seeking to reclassify and rezone a 5.349-acre parcel in Waimea for smaller residential lots and three commercial parcels.","taxTitle","Hawaii County, Hawaii","taxId",12825,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6676024,"Hawaii County Council approves registration requirement for short-term vacation rentals",199,1726000,1925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3693448-6685ce8080bf095728d9c6b2eb244e62&start=1726&end=1925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3693448-6685ce8080bf095728d9c6b2eb244e62/thumbnail_1726000.jpg","/articles/6676024/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Hawaii-County-Council-approves-registration-requirement-for-short-term-vacation-rentals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676024-39e3a13dc18a2eec0a9cd4d6a102041a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770402529&Signature=GDg9OTittZ1z6~s8dBsaC5jycYANJDzZx2COAOUkuIob1jgZTdRVs5Y7l9NS7fwoPZsz6A8CRkkQPVcJ2Se4ci07xZSOicExs0zRLa1UvF3vhv3kQXEiNubR32JFUqLGJMs~J9LmWPiy4yAiWIG5QYWs~8-uzaEAOiEW8Apqnd8orWPkUgJ9jWCEKUt94legxSfF~r4FCSM5iKxhcvfYUt3BDQDYQGgQBotRl7nry-V19E0U7MiURN0VpvwQtZ6nRGbXekSnezimhrqdz1e4XSHS7qmmPrUIl5KUZeguRm-rpG~jPnDL47ho8bcRtNSmRLXZICaEXDJMY2lYNx0nIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HILO — The Hawaii County Council voted 8-1 on June 4 to pass Bill 47, a county ordinance requiring most short-term vacation rentals (TBRs) and their hosting platforms to register with the county and comply with reporting and enforcement rules.

Supporters said the registration will give county officials data and enforcement tools they lack now and help address neighborhood impacts, while opponents warned the rules could harm small, home-based hosts and urged the council to wait for an economic study.

Bill 47 requires registration of most short-term rentals and gives county staff the authority to cancel registrations when properties are operating illegally. The ordinance sets a maximum civil penalty (with a required warning/cure period for two categories of platform violations), and the council amended the measure to (1) give platforms a 10-day cure period for a failure to register or to provide required monthly reports before fines escalate, and (2) extend the ordinance's implementation window from 90 to 180 days to allow the Finance Department time to build the registration infrastructure.

Why it matters: County officials said they cannot track the scale and location of short-term rentals with the current rules. Proponents argued registration will provide reliable counts and reporting, which they said are necessary to enforce existing land-use rules and focus policy responses.

Who spoke: Dozens of residents and rental owners testified during the meeting. Opponents framed the bill as a threat to small homeowners who rely on hosted rentals for income. Linda Alritter, who identified herself as a kupuna and owner of an operating TBR in North Kohala, told the council: “The financial burden you are trying to force upon us is so stressful when we are only trying to survive here in Hawai'i.” Several other Hilo- and Kona-area hosts urged the council to wait for a county-commissioned economic impact study before finalizing new regulation.

Industry and platform comments: Expedia Group asked the council to adopt a narrowly targeted amendment that would treat delisting as a remedy when platforms repeatedly or intentionally fail to delist noncompliant listings. Mackenzie Chase of Expedia asked the council to accept a technical amendment clarifying when and how platforms are required to delist a unit after the county identifies a noncompliant listing; the council adopted a cure-period amendment addressing related enforcement timing.

Council reaction and outcome: Council Member Heather Kimball, lead sponsor of the ordinance, said the registration step is the first of several actions needed to give county staff reliable data and enforcement tools. The council adopted two sponsor amendments (10-day cure period for platform failures and a 180-day implementation timeframe) before taking final action.

Formal action: The council approved Bill 47 on second and final reading. The motion to pass Bill 47 (as amended) carried 8-1; the clerk recorded eight yes votes and one no vote. The ordinance will take effect after the listed administrative steps and the 180-day implementation window.

What's next: County staff will use the 180-day implementation window to build the registration system and provide outreach to hosts and platforms. The long-awaited economic study promised to inform future changes is expected to be circulated to council members for review and to guide potential follow-up legislation.

Sources: Hawaii County Council meeting transcript, June 4, 2025; public testimony and staff remarks included in the council record.

","The Hawaii County Council voted 8-1 June 4 to require most short-term vacation rentals and hosting platforms to register with the county and to give staff new enforcement tools.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6676019,"Council advances telecommunications ordinance with 600-foot setback and permit changes",1096,2214000,3310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3693448-6685ce8080bf095728d9c6b2eb244e62&start=2214&end=3310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3693448-6685ce8080bf095728d9c6b2eb244e62/thumbnail_2214000.jpg","/articles/6676019/Hawaii-County/Hawaii/Council-advances-telecommunications-ordinance-with-600-foot-setback-and-permit-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676019-0f3331a0574a5a1c1f5cd780dfd2859b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770402529&Signature=dQKTeK-3Br6MIByEmmnI5LtFZazc8QkbegEzoqHUt63JwgUiebwBm7Vh3vr4OpOpucwpXfzn876dNvvsgcEN3fBjLXDSg6C0VssGr07osTCaqTwA3~8Qa3JAtnjtJ5yP~MwqnGQgP7slXa7lhQ26BUP9GiMEzq~pD1YSFGiiIeCvsoy2On7MQOxQl91IYtWxbYB2yWFDvslqm2thB38pnITxMmJqC8hdc52vVnV0ApicR68zyXNtypkTSP~cwOwidexAt798czwl-aOGpHEvbHOqi-wlSUdWPFnelGDzkkNPMDcyzqDS2HbZyPuTAiCLddow-5izXGGEGm5VokRMZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HILO — The Hawaii County Council voted to advance an updated telecommunications ordinance intended to align county permitting of antennas and towers with the state law while adding local protections, including a 600-foot setback from residences and schools.

The measure, known as Bill 24 (draft 5), removes the contested-case allowance for permits and streamlines approvals so that planning director-level review is possible for many wireless small-cell and tower permits. The ordinance also permits telecommunications facilities in more zones but imposes a 600-foot setback intended to reduce visual and proximity impacts for sensitive uses; emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) are exempt from the setback.

Why it matters: County officials and some public commentators said the ordinance balances a local desire for increased wireless connectivity with protections for community character, cultural resources and safety. Opponents pressed for a larger setback, citing studies and testimony they said show increased radiofrequency exposure at closer distances.

Public testimony and technical points: Testimony at the June 4 meeting came from residents and from Safetec Hawai'i and other community groups; many urged maintaining a larger 1,200-foot setback or even greater distances. Chris Hirosay and Naomi Milamed of Safetec Hawai'i told the council that the bill reflects significant discussion in the Planning Commission and earlier committees and that the 600-foot setback is an attempt at compromise: “Bill 24 updates county law to comply with state law… and includes a setback requirement for our safety and welfare,” Milamed said during testimony.

Supporters stressed the need for modernized rules and the difficulty of balancing public safety, connectivity and federal preemption. The ordinance clarifies permitting pathways, updates definitions and clarifies types of facilities that require planning director approval rather than a contested-case public hearing.

Council action: The council adopted a clarifying amendment excluding wireline broadband technologies (DSL, cable, fiber-to-the-premises) from the ordinance's wireless-focused language. With that technical amendment, the motion to approve Bill 24 (draft 5) on first reading carried unanimously on the dais.

Outcome: Bill 24 passed first reading (vote recorded as 9-0). It now moves through the remaining steps required before final adoption; the planning department and staff will prepare implementing procedures and any required rulemaking.

Sources: Hawaii County Council meeting transcript, June 4, 2025; testimony from Safetec Hawai'i and other members of the public.

","The Hawaii County Council approved a planning-department-drafted change to county telecommunication rules that removes contested-case hearings and keeps a 600-foot setback from schools and residences while aligning county rules with state law. Supporters said it balances connectivity and safety; opponents sought a larger setback.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rejects proposed Waimea rezoning after months of opposition from residents

Hawaii County Council approves registration requirement for short-term vacation rentals

Council advances telecommunications ordinance with 600-foot setback and permit changes