Committee amends and forwards Hawaii County telecommunication siting bill after public testimony; 600‑foot setback added

The Hawaii County Council Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development on May 20, 2025, voted to forward Bill 24, as amended, to the full council with a favorable recommendation after a series of public testimonies and two committee amendments. The bill amends Chapter 25 (articles 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7) of the Hawaii County Code to revise standards for telecommunication antennas and towers and was described at the meeting as planning‑department initiated.

Why it matters: Bill 24 governs where county residents may see new antennas and towers and how the county reviews siting applications. Public speakers urged the committee to adopt setbacks from residences and schools and to preserve opportunities for community input; planners said the amendments clarify application requirements and align the code with federal law where required.

Public testimony focused on calls for a minimum setback from homes and schools and expressed concerns about health, aesthetics and property values. Deborah Green, testifying for SafeTech Hawaii, urged the committee to “include a setback of at least 600 feet for residences and…