Hawaii County committee reviews public facilities, urges asset management and pilots for waste diversion

Chair Ashley Kirkwitz convened the Planning, Land Use and Economic Development policy committee on Sept. 30 to continue review of the draft general plan’s public facilities and services chapter. Planning staff presented goals, policies and actions intended to guide maintenance of county facilities, emergency services, parks and solid waste management.

The planning department’s long-range planner Bethany Morrison said the chapter contains two primary goals: ensuring communities “are safe and protected and have access to integrative health, education and social services,” and ensuring “communities are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities and services based on existing and future growth needs.” Morrison led the committee through objectives and sample actions in each topic area.

Morrison outlined actions and policies that committee members pressed for in questions. On facilities…