Hawaii County committee amends and postpones Bill 60 after faith leaders raise objections

KONA — The Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development on June 17 amended and then postponed Bill 60, a planning-department–initiated zoning update that would replace existing rules for churches, temples and synagogues with a new "meeting facility" category.

The committee, chaired by Ashley Kerkowitz, voted 9–0 to adopt an amendment that removes the ordinance's hours-of-operation restrictions and clarifies when plan approval, use permits, or special permits are required; the committee then voted 9–0 to postpone further action on the bill to the committee's July 8 meeting to allow more community review.

The amendment and postponement followed lengthy public testimony and discussion. Several representatives of faith communities told the committee the bill as originally drafted would limit religious practice by treating houses of worship differently from comparable secular uses.

"I believe the activities in our buildings before 8AM and after 9PM are crucial to the operation of our faith," said Aaron Aluna, who identified himself as a stake president overseeing congregations in Hawaii County. "But more importantly, they spiritually strengthen our youth and overall membership." Aluna urged the council not to adopt the ordinance as written.

Leonard Tanaka, a longtime…