Planning Commissions

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Aloha, E Komo Mai!

The Planning Commissions’ webpage has been redesigned in an effort to better assist the public to find information on applications, aid in providing testimony, encourage participation in hearings, and improve transparency in materials brought before the Planning Commissions for their review and consideration. We hope you enjoy a positive experience while using this website.

Guide to the Planning Commissions:

Purpose: The Planning Commissions’ purpose is to advise the Mayor, Council and Planning Director in all matters concerning planning and land use matters; to review and make recommendations regarding the General Plan, subdivision and zoning ordinances and other planning rules and regulations; to establish planning rules and regulations and to conduct public hearings. There are two (2) Planning Commissions in Hawaiʻi County; their jurisdiction areas are outlined below:

The Leeward Planning Commission covers the judicial districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, and South Kona.

The Windward Planning Commission covers the judicial districts of Kaʻū, Puna, South Hilo, North Hilo, and Hāmākua.

Planning Commission Fact Sheets: The fact sheets provide info about the current commissioners and their terms.

Planning Commission Process Flowcharts: The flowcharts outline the process, timing and decision-maker for land use permits issued by the Planning Commission and/or the County Council.

PC Rules of Practice and Procedure: View the most current version of the Planning Commissions’ Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Information for Upcoming Planning Commission Meetings for Review of General Plan 2045:

Board Packets for General Plan 2045 Meetings:

Windward Planning Commission

Leeward Planning Commission

Zoom Registration for General Plan 2045 Meetings:

Windward Planning Commission - November 4, 2024
Leeward Planning Commission - November 21, 2024

Email to Send Testimony:

Board Packet for Upcoming Regular Planning Commission Meetings:

December 5, 2024 Windward Planning Commission

November 21, 2024 Leeward Planning Commission

Public Participation:

*Important Note: Planning Commission hearings are held in-person. The Zoom and YouTube options shown below are being provided as a courtesy to the public. Should either of those online connections fail, the in-person hearing will proceed as scheduled.

Live-Stream Video: The public may view live-stream videos as well as previously recorded videos of Planning Commission hearings on YouTube.

Providing Oral Testimony: The public may provide oral testimony at the hearing’s in-person location, or via Zoom. To testify via Zoom, please use the links below to register prior to the hearing.

Windward Planning Commission Zoom Registration - 12-05-24 (Regular Mtg)
Leeward Planning Commission Zoom Registration - 11-21-24 (Regular Mtg)

Submitting Written Testimony: The public may submit written testimony by email, mail or in person.

Testimony via Email: Use the links below to submit your testimony to the respective Planning Commission.
- Leeward Planning Commission Email
- Windward Planning Commission Email

Testimony by Mail or In Person: Submit your testimony by mail or in person at the Hilo Planning office at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, Hawaiʻi, 96720 or at the Kona Planning office at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Building E, 2^nd Floor, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi.

*Please refer to Agenda for more detailed information on deadlines and/or guidelines for submitting testimony.

Other Pending Applications of Interest:

Other Pending Applications of Interest: View other applications that have been deemed to be of broad public interest. This is not a comprehensive list of all applications that have been submitted for Planning Commission consideration.

Access Documents and Records:

Meeting Schedule: View the annual meeting schedules for the Leeward & Windward Planning Commissions.

Agendas: View current & past agendas of the Commissions.

Board Packets: View board packets which include the Planning Director's background & recommendation reports, agency comments, public testimonies, etc. Board packets are filed according to their hearing date & agenda item number.

Actions: View actions taken on items on the agenda at Commission hearings.

Minutes: View minutes from previous Commission hearings.

Transcripts: View transcripts of agenda items heard at previous Commission hearings.

More information: Public Records on Hawaiʻi County Website

Contested Case Hearing Assistance:

The University of Hawai‘i has created a guidebook to assist those involved in a contested case hearing before an administrative agency in Hawai‘i. This guidebook provides a general overview of the contested case process in Hawai‘i, but you should refer to the Planning Commission’s Rule 4 (Contested Case Procedure) for specific information about how the Hawai‘i County Planning Commission conducts contested case hearings.