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| A hiker on Chain of Craters Road. Photo by Yvonne Baur |
CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD REOPENED TO VEHICLES in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park late Monday afternoon. No noticeable expansion in cracks caused by last week's seismic swarm were detected by park staff.
However, the Maunaulu parking lot and access road are temporarily closed to vehicles due to significant cracks and buckling in the pavement. The park engineer and road crew will continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of the roadway. In the meantime, bicyclists and pedestrians may use the Maunaulu access road.
Motorists on Chain of Craters Road are advised to drive safely and obey all posted speed limit signs. Motorcyclists should use extra caution and expect bumps and rough road conditions. Parking is only allowed in designated parking spaces and pullouts. Visitors are reminded not to park along roadways.
The roadway cracks formed following an intrusion of magma into the Upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano between July 22 and 25. Signs are in place to warn visitors of the new hazards.
Kīlauea is not erupting, and according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, additional seismic swarms can occur with little or no warning and result in another magma intrusion, or an eruption of lava.
Park visitors are advised to plan ahead and check the park website: www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.
However, the Maunaulu parking lot and access road are temporarily closed to vehicles due to significant cracks and buckling in the pavement. The park engineer and road crew will continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of the roadway. In the meantime, bicyclists and pedestrians may use the Maunaulu access road.
Motorists on Chain of Craters Road are advised to drive safely and obey all posted speed limit signs. Motorcyclists should use extra caution and expect bumps and rough road conditions. Parking is only allowed in designated parking spaces and pullouts. Visitors are reminded not to park along roadways.
The roadway cracks formed following an intrusion of magma into the Upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano between July 22 and 25. Signs are in place to warn visitors of the new hazards.
Kīlauea is not erupting, and according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, additional seismic swarms can occur with little or no warning and result in another magma intrusion, or an eruption of lava.
Park visitors are advised to plan ahead and check the park website: www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
HAWAI'I ISLAND'S GENERAL PLAN 2045 is released by County of Hawai'i as a Final Recommended Draft. It is available to read at cohplanning.konveio.com. It's a comprehensive long-term policy document aimed at guiding the physical, economic, environmental, and sociocultural development of Hawaiʻi County over the next 25 years. Online workshops, public meetings and additional public input will be taken into this Fall.
The General Plan refers to the Kaʻū Community Development Plan in detail. It suggests places for economic growth and housing and shows Ocean View as a low density Urban area.
The plan names special places to steward: Volcano area including National Park, View of Mauna Loa from Volcano-Kaʻū Highway, Scenic view of shoreline between Pahala and Punalu'u, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, Ninole Cove & Springs, Kawa Bay & Springs, Honu'apo, Na Pu'u - Enuhe, Makanau, Kaiholena and One, Waiohinu Park, South Point (Ka Lae), Mahana Bay, Waiakukini, Ka'alu'alu Bay, Lava Flows of 1868. 1887 and 1907, Manuka Bay and Pohue Bay.
It has much data and planning for recreation, agriculture, housing, infrastructure and transportation.
"Sustainability means responsibly safeguarding our environment, resources, and culture so that future generations can thrive," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "The General Plan is our roadmap, guiding us to achieve this vital balance. It ensures that our actions as a community align with our commitment to future generations. We take pride in the work accomplished by our community thus far and eagerly anticipate ![]()
further collaboration to create a plan as diverse and vibrant as the communities we serve."
Background and Purpose: The Draft General Plan 2045 serves as the County's blueprint for sustainable development and community resilience. It integrates policies across various sectors, emphasizing the conservation of natural resources, climate change adaptation, urban design, infrastructure development, and economic growth. This plan is the culmination of extensive community input and strategic planning efforts to ensure the wellbeing and prosperity of Hawaiʻi County residents.
Key Elements: Biocultural Stewardship: Ensure natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed, preserved, and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment.
Climate Change & Health: Support a just transition to climate resilience by addressing the causes and impacts of climate change through incorporating equitable climate mitigation and adaptation priorities into policies, programs, infrastructure, and decision-making.
Sustainable Development: Apply progressive land use strategies and place-based practices to direct and manage growth with a focus on providing sustainable public infrastructure, affordable housing, public safety, education, health, and social services.
Thriving Economy: Promote a diverse, regenerative, and innovative economy, that maintains a high quality of life for residents with a focus on increasing local economic opportunities, maintaining a robust agricultural industry, and ensuring a responsible visitor industry that respects the uniqueness of the island.
Planning Process: The Draft General Plan 2045 was developed through a detailed and inclusive process involving community engagement and technical analysis. Key milestones include:
Key Elements: Biocultural Stewardship: Ensure natural and cultural resources are thriving and sustainably managed, preserved, and restored to maintain our unique and diverse environment.
Climate Change & Health: Support a just transition to climate resilience by addressing the causes and impacts of climate change through incorporating equitable climate mitigation and adaptation priorities into policies, programs, infrastructure, and decision-making.
Sustainable Development: Apply progressive land use strategies and place-based practices to direct and manage growth with a focus on providing sustainable public infrastructure, affordable housing, public safety, education, health, and social services.
Thriving Economy: Promote a diverse, regenerative, and innovative economy, that maintains a high quality of life for residents with a focus on increasing local economic opportunities, maintaining a robust agricultural industry, and ensuring a responsible visitor industry that respects the uniqueness of the island.
Planning Process: The Draft General Plan 2045 was developed through a detailed and inclusive process involving community engagement and technical analysis. Key milestones include:
2015: Gathering preliminary data and community input. Analyzing conditions and identifying issues.
2016-2017: Assessing potential future outcomes and developing scenarios like Baseline, Build-Out, and Trend. Conducted numerous public workshops to refine goals and policies based on community input.
2018-2020: Development of policy language based on input and analysis. Releasing the first draft of policy language, focusing on economic progress, environmental preservation, and community strengthening.
2021-2023: Further development of draft material based on 2019/2020 public and agency input. Updating the draft to include a detailed section narratives, vision, goals, objectives, policies, and actions.
2024: Refining and finalizing revisions based on 2023 public and agency input. Conducting final workshops and initiation of the adoption process.
Throughout the comprehensive review process, outreach has included: 16 Public Workshops; seven Council Resolutions; sixTopic Specific Public Workshops; 18 Public Notices/Press Releases; 27 Community Group/Roadshow events; 37 Public Agency Meetings; 47 Action Committee Meetings; 30; Large Landowner Meetings, 33 County Council Updates; 650 Public Comments in 2015; more than 4020 in public participants; 4000 Public Comments in 2019 and 3,500 Public Comments in 2023.![]()
2016-2017: Assessing potential future outcomes and developing scenarios like Baseline, Build-Out, and Trend. Conducted numerous public workshops to refine goals and policies based on community input.
2018-2020: Development of policy language based on input and analysis. Releasing the first draft of policy language, focusing on economic progress, environmental preservation, and community strengthening.
2021-2023: Further development of draft material based on 2019/2020 public and agency input. Updating the draft to include a detailed section narratives, vision, goals, objectives, policies, and actions.
2024: Refining and finalizing revisions based on 2023 public and agency input. Conducting final workshops and initiation of the adoption process.
Throughout the comprehensive review process, outreach has included: 16 Public Workshops; seven Council Resolutions; sixTopic Specific Public Workshops; 18 Public Notices/Press Releases; 27 Community Group/Roadshow events; 37 Public Agency Meetings; 47 Action Committee Meetings; 30; Large Landowner Meetings, 33 County Council Updates; 650 Public Comments in 2015; more than 4020 in public participants; 4000 Public Comments in 2019 and 3,500 Public Comments in 2023.
More information about the overall planning process including past drafts, public comments, reference materials, analysis reports, and more is available on the Planning Department website: https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp
Next Steps: The Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 is available for review and comment online, and copies are going out to local libraries. The County of Hawaiʻi encourages all residents to review the GP and provide feedback through Konveio, an interactive online platform. The link to the Konveio site is: cohplanning.konveio.com.
In-person Public Informational Workshops will include a formal presentation of the Final Recommended Draft and will be held:
Next Steps: The Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 is available for review and comment online, and copies are going out to local libraries. The County of Hawaiʻi encourages all residents to review the GP and provide feedback through Konveio, an interactive online platform. The link to the Konveio site is: cohplanning.konveio.com.
In-person Public Informational Workshops will include a formal presentation of the Final Recommended Draft and will be held:
Aug. 28 at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building A from 2 p.m. to 4 p,m
Aug. 29 at Arc of Hilo, 1099 Waianuenue Ave. from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Online workshop opportunities will be available with more information to come soon.
Following the guidelines set out by the current 2005 General Plan, the public will have 21 days after the last workshop to share their comments with the Planning Director. Once this period ends, the Final Recommended Draft and all public comments will be packaged and sent to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions. They will have 150 days to review and provide their recommendations to the County Council. We invite all community members to join in and share their thoughts during this process.
To stay informed about upcoming events, progress, and the overall process, you may sign up for the Department's eNews at www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/connect.
For more information about the overall GP Comprehensive Review process, visit our website at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp.
Contact the Planning Department at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720, via phone at (808) 961-8288, or email at GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov.
Online workshop opportunities will be available with more information to come soon.
Following the guidelines set out by the current 2005 General Plan, the public will have 21 days after the last workshop to share their comments with the Planning Director. Once this period ends, the Final Recommended Draft and all public comments will be packaged and sent to the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions. They will have 150 days to review and provide their recommendations to the County Council. We invite all community members to join in and share their thoughts during this process.
To stay informed about upcoming events, progress, and the overall process, you may sign up for the Department's eNews at www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/connect.
For more information about the overall GP Comprehensive Review process, visit our website at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/gp/comp.
Contact the Planning Department at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720, via phone at (808) 961-8288, or email at GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
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| The Reunion features the screening of a PBS film Ka'u Sugar, A Town Remembers on the history of the sugar plantation and the closing of the mill in 1996. It will also feature a film on th history of the local coffee industry.
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