Hawaii County Council postpones Bill 24 after debate over small cells, wind survivability and notice rules

HILO — The Hawaii County Council postponed final action on Bill 24, an ordinance updating county rules for telecommunications antennas and towers, after a full hearing that included public testimony both for and against the measure, several amendments adopted by the council and unresolved legal questions about small wireless facilities on privately owned utility poles. The council set the item for further consideration at its April 15 meeting and directed staff and corporation counsel to report back.

Bill 24 (planning director–initiated) proposes revisions to Chapter 25 of the Hawaii County Code to remove certain use-permit requirements, add application procedures and amend standards for installing towers and antennas. During the April committee hearing the council approved amendments on lighting, wind survivability and fire/backup-power documentation, and withdrew or deferred several other proposed changes while seeking clarification from corporation counsel and other departments.

Why it matters: The ordinance governs where and how fixed and small wireless telecommunications equipment can be sited across Hawaii County. Supporters of stronger controls said clear rules on notification, structural survivability and public notice will protect neighbors and critical infrastructure; industry representatives warned that overly broad or restrictive rules could hamper broadband deployment and emergency communications in rural areas.

What the council did and how it voted - The council amended Bill 24 with a lighting/shielding provision (communication 110.17) to require shielding for constant lighting on poles to reduce impacts on wildlife and neighbors. Motion by Councilmember Kaguewara, second by Councilmember Inaba; voice vote recorded as 9 ayes, motion carried. - The council approved a building-standard amendment (communication 110.2) reinstating a minimum 100 mile-per-hour sustained-wind survivability requirement to be certified in building plans by a licensed structural engineer, with the planning director to require compliance with the building code…