If we could fix one issue regarding development, what would it be?

The thing I have found most disturbing since moving from the mainland 16 years ago is the poor public coastal access along the Hamakua Coast. In a small town with the population density of Pepe'ekeo one would think there would be one place the kapuna and mother's with their keiki could easily access the coast, sit at a picnic table and view the ocean. Instead be prepared for a cross country hike through shoulder high grass with zero amenities, if you can even locate the public access. The approximate 16 miles to Laupahoehoe or Richardsons doesn't really work for a lot of people.

Parking for all commercial businesses should be a priority, so they can succeed.

If this update is able to create enough affordable housing -- 80% and 50% below AMI -- to meet current and future need, it will be a success.

Most developers will not build ultra-low-income housing (very low profit margins, if any) and choose to buy "credits" from other developers. This practice has resulted in few if any affordable housing which desperately needed. These credits need to be eliminated and developers who choose to not build "affordable" units should be required to pay the median/average (whichever is higher) sale price for every affordable house not built. These funds should be placed in a "housing fund" to be used to build the ultra-low-income housing on 3,000 sq. ft. lots. Because land here is very expensive, the County should build the ultra-low-income housing these lots. Two-story houses of 1200-1400 sq. ft. with three to four bedrooms could be built at a much lower cost on such small lots. The County should have a contractor on our payroll, who reports to the housing administration, hires the subcontractors, and supervises the construction. The construction housing industry can easily hide fraud so codes against fraud need to be written to prevent it and huge fines levied against those who violate the codes. We need building inspectors who will go on-site frequently to make sure the construction is quality construction and not just slap-together sub-standard construction. These houses shall meet hurricane standards of at least Cat 3 or higher per the latest building code recommendations. Flood plains shall be maintained and not eliminated to protect the houses.

better circulation of life, work, play-

Create new zoning classifications for RS and RD districts in CDP-designated urban growth areas which would be one or two carefully limited, low-density variations of the current RM district(s) for the purpose of allowing not just one, but multiple mini-ADUs (accessory dwelling units) of specific, very limited size (e.g., 400, 500 or 600 sq. ft. of enclosed living area with covered deck area limitations) on what are now "single family dwelling" lots (whether in a RS/RD district or in an A (ag) district as is often the case in this county), regardless of lot size as long as the (same as now) front, rear and side yard requirements are retained. This is feasible here because (1) Dept. of Health allows up to five (5) bedrooms per septic system including duplexes having no more than five bedrooms total, and Dept. of Water Supply has no reasonable basis to deny at least 3, if not 4, bedrooms (in separate, detached, studio or one-bedroom dwelling units) on one standard 5/8 water meter, as regardless of there being multiple individual kitchens, bathrooms or laundry facilities, the water consumption should be essentially the same as a family in a four bedroom dwelling unit, which is currently permitted to have one 5/8" water meter. Accordingly, a typical residential houselot (say 10,000 s.f.) could have 3-4 one bedroom (or studio) "tiny homes", with usable covered lanai, each as a legal single-family dwelling defined in this code section as a maximum of two persons (vs. the standard family or five unrelated person definition). The objective of this zoning district classification change is to radically and quickly increase housing availability for single persons of all ages relatively close to existing or intended urban centers, and to have this provided entirely by private, individual owner initiative (without government "program" intervention). CC&R prohibitions of such tiny home "mini-clusters" in traditional subdivisions could be partially mitigated by providing, say, 10 year property tax credits of maybe $200/year to all lots in subdivisions that struck such prohibitions from their CC&Rs (this incentive by separate, companion legislation to amend COH HCC Chapter 19 for RP Taxation).

Rein in the suburbanization/residential intrusion into "A" districts. Prime ag lands in Hamakua are at risk of becoming more residential than the as-of-right uses permitted in Ag lands. Tweaking of tax policy might be a tool to nudge property owners into compliance with the allowed land uses. This type of unplanned residential conversion has happened elsewhere in East Hawaii; the ag lands in lower Puna are increasingly used for residential purposes. While this has provided affordable housing to many, this evolution increasingly may be at odds with the actual zoning. And an influx of new residents to Hawaii is driving up those lower Puna property prices to the point where they now are unaffordable to many local residents. We should be encouraging affordable housing in the Hilo urban center as well as, perhaps, village centers. Note that downtown Hilo is walkable to shopping, groceries, medical offices, businesses, and recreation. We should build upon this existing infrastructure for more housing.