Hawaiʻi County committee hears hours of public testimony on General Plan 2045; postpones Bill 66 to Oct. 27

Council Chair Ashley Kirkwitz convened a special hearing of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development on Oct. 8, 2025, in Hilo to receive public testimony on Bill 66, the draft ordinance to adopt the County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 2045. After approximately 50 minutes of testimony from speakers in Hilo, Kona and on Zoom, Council member Holaka Inaba moved — and Council member Heather Kimball seconded — to postpone Bill 66 to the committee’s next special hearing on Oct. 27; the committee recessed and the meeting was continued to Oct. 27 at 9 a.m.

The hearing drew a mix of comments praising the plan’s specificity and objections arguing the plan would enable unwanted land‑use changes and new infrastructure. Proponents included Terry McDonald, who said he supported the general plan’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and economic diversification and told the committee, “Specificity is its strength, not a weakness.” Several residents and community members opposed aspects of the plan, citing concerns about proposed “smart” electrical grids and meters, the plan’s treatment of agricultural and so‑called “natural lands” designations, potential impacts on local landowners and Native Hawaiian interests, and perceived lack of clear implementation detail.

Why it matters: Bill 66 would replace the county’s…