Council rejects proposed Waimea rezoning after months of opposition from residents

HILO — Two companion measures asking the County Council to reclassify and rezone a 5.349-acre property in Waimea (South Kohala) drew sustained, often emotional opposition from residents at the June 4 meeting and were not approved on first reading.

The proposals—Bill 198 (a state land-use boundary amendment to move a portion of the parcel from agricultural to rural) and Bill 199 (a county zoning change to allow smaller residential ag lots and three commercial parcels along Mamalahoa Highway)—had drawn large turnouts and extensive written and oral testimony over several years. Opponents argued the project threatened prime agricultural soils, would increase traffic on already-congested local roads, and would accelerate gentrification and higher property taxes for long-term residents.

Community objections and council action: Several dozen residents and community leaders testified in Hilo and via remote sites across the island. Testimony emphasized agricultural…