The Planning Department

The Planning Department provides technical advice to the Mayor, Planning Commission, and County Council on all planning and land use matters. The Department is also charged with the administration of the Subdivision and Zoning Codes. The major divisions of the department are Administrative Services, Administrative Permits, Long-Range Planning, Planning, and West Hawaiʻi.

Planning Department Mission:

To foster an improved quality of life for the island of Hawaiʻi’s communities through responsible and progressive planning.

Planning Director, Zendo Kern

Zendo was born on the Island of Hawaiʻi in North Kohala and raised in WaʻaWaʻa in the district of Puna. Being born and raised on Hawai`i Island provided Zendo a unique perspective, which has served his personal and professional life for the last two decades. From growing up completely off grid, surfing the rocky coast of Pohoiki, to socializing with a diverse socio-economic mix has allowed Zendo to have a deep connection to this island and the people who call Hawaiʻi Island home.

Zendo has spent the last twenty years in development, land use planning, and serving in the public sector.  Specializing in green building and land use planning with a focus on solution based problem solving. During his public service Zendo was the Chairman of the Windward Planning Commission and served as a Council Member for District 5.

These unique experiences of growing up on Hawaiʻi Island, coupled with a diverse work history, provides Zendo with a sound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that Hawaiʻi County faces.

“I am deeply honored and privileged to serve as the Planning Director for Hawaiʻi County. I will do my very best to serve our communities and help our people thrive and succeed. My philosophy is to treat people kindly, the same as we would want to be treated and keep a solutions-based mindset. It is an honor to serve you!”

Planning Deputy Director, Jeffrey Darrow

Planning Department Divisions

Administrative Services

Administrative Services Division provides:

• Overall direction, control and coordination of the Department and its programs
• Advises the Mayor and Council on planning matters
• Provides support graphic and clerical services to the divisions within the Department
• Manages the Geographic Information System (GIS), and Geothermal Fund programs
• Street naming and address assignments

Administrative Permits

The Administrative Permits Division administers permitting requirements of the Zoning and Subdivision Codes where the Planning Director is the decision maker:

• Plan approval
• Variances
• Subdivision approval
• Ohana and farm dwellings

The Admin Permits Division is also responsible to enforce provisions of these codes, and addresses complaints and violations.

Planning Division

The Planning Division administers the permitting requirements of the Zoning Code, State Land Use Law, Coastal Zone Management Act, and General Plan where the Planning Commission and/or County Council are the decision makers:

• Use Permits
• Special Permits
• Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permits
• State Land Use Boundary Amendments
• Rezoning
• General Plan Amendments
• Shoreline Setback Variances

Long-Range Planning

The Long-Range Division is responsible for:

• Legislative Review and Testimonies
• General Plan Amendments
• Code and Rule Amendments
• Community Development Plans
• Ordinances and Resolutions
• The Land Use Inventory
• Consultant Services Contracts

West Hawaiʻi Division

The West Hawaiʻi Division handles many of the same responsibilities as those of the other divisions, but particularly as they apply to the Kona, Kohala, and Ka‘ū districts.