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Council approves first readings of CU Hawaii zoning changes; members press for assurances against paid parking
Summary
Bills 130 and 131 were approved at first reading to rezone properties for a new CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union branch; council members asked the applicant to include restrictions prohibiting future paid parking, and the applicant said it has no plans to charge for parking. Councilmember Kimball recused from the votes.
At its March 18 meeting the Hawaii County Council approved first readings of Bill 130 and Bill 131, zoning map amendments to reclassify two Hilo parcels from single‑family residential to neighborhood commercial to allow CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union to build new facilities.
Councilmember Villegas raised a concern about potential future paid parking, asking whether the bills could include language forbidding charging for parking. The applicant’s consultant, Darren Arai, said CU Hawaii’s intent is to make parking available to members and neighboring businesses and that the applicant currently has no plans to charge for parking; he added that if the council wished to include a restriction in the ordinance the applicant would not object but cautioned that permitted uses vary by zoning.
James Takamine, introduced as the president and CEO of CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, confirmed the applicant’s intent, saying, “we do not have any plans to charge for parking.” Councilmember Kimball recused from consideration of these bills; the measures passed first reading with a recorded vote of 7 ayes, 1 recusal and 1 excused.
Officials noted that commercial parking lots must meet paving and runoff mitigation requirements under the county zoning code. The bills proceed to subsequent ordinance steps as required by county code.
