Hawaii County Council approves pilot allowing limited vending on a section of Anekio Kaʻōlelo Highway after debate

The Hawaii County Council voted to approve Bill 10, draft 2, on second and final reading on March 19, 2025, allowing authorized commercial activity on a roughly 200-yard section of Ane Ke Kaʻōlelo Highway makai of the West Hawaii Civic Center between the Civic Center and Allied Quarry Access Road. The vote followed public testimony opposing the change and lengthy council discussion about safety, community input and permit conditions.

Supporters framed the measure as a controlled pilot to provide legal space for vendors who currently operate illegally along county roadways. Vice Chair Amy Onishi, who presided over much of the debate while Chair Inaba yielded the gavel, described the plan as "a pilot program because there is no place for them to go legally." She said Public Works will install safety barriers and signage and that the director may revoke permits "should safety issues of any type arise."

Opponents, including Laura Mallory Sayre of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation and her husband Frank Sayre, urged the council to protect the exercise corridor and its decades-long community work. "I come before you today to speak in adamant opposition to Bridal 10 draft 2, and I am begging the council to please hear my voice and to not vote in favor of this bill," Laura Mallory Sayre said, citing traffic hazards, homeless encampments and a legacy of volunteer work to create a safe exercise corridor.

Frank Sayre said he was concerned about health and safety and described parked vehicles and an unrestrained dog along the trail area. "It needs enforcement," he told the council, and asked that alternatives be considered.

Council members pressed for more detail from Public Works and police on site improvements and operations. Public Works Director Gilbert Ono said the department had not yet received applications and that the agency would complete grading and signage work before permitting the area for vendors. When asked whether any applications had been submitted, Ono replied, "No. I haven't."

Council member Kaguawara (transcript spelling) urged outreach to community groups that helped establish the corridor over decades, saying some residents had not been consulted and were strongly opposed. Several council members said they supported a cautious pilot with strict conditions and real-time revocation authority for the director if problems emerged.

The council voted to table the bill briefly while staff checked whether any prior agreements existed for the corridor; Public Works later reported it found no record of such an agreement. After returning the item to the floor later in the meeting, the council passed Bill 10, draft 2, on second and final reading; the final roll call produced five votes in favor and two opposed, with two members recorded as absent.

What the ordinance does and next steps

Bill 10 adds the West Hawaii Civic Center–adjacent Makai stretch of Ane Ke Kaʻōlelo Highway to the county code schedule of allowable areas for special activity permits (vending). It does not by itself create a permit application; Public Works must adopt the application and operational rules. The department told the council it expects to perform minimal in-house work—grading, barriers and signage—at an estimated cost of under $10,000 before any permits are issued.

Public comment and council direction

Those who testified during the public-comment portion included local residents and nonprofit leaders who emphasized the corridor’s history as a community exercise space and expressed worry about safety, trash and encampments. Council members repeatedly said the permit would be revocable and that the director could set hours and other conditions. Several members asked Public Works to ensure vendors are responsible for waste removal.

The council instructed staff to consult with community stakeholders before permits are issued and to proceed cautiously; the council also asked Public Works to look for any prior agreements related to the corridor and report back.

Votes and final outcome

Bill 10, draft 2, passed on second and final reading with a majority vote. The ordinance takes effect once the director finalizes the permit process and the department completes required site work and signage.

Ending

Council members and residents will watch the pilot closely. Public Works said it will only open the area for permitted vending after the department installs safety measures and finalizes an application process; the director retains authority to revoke permits if safety or other problems arise.