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Permitted interaction group recommends HCDA strategic-plan update as agency prepares for potential new districts
Summary
Sterling Higa told the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority on July 1 that a permitted interaction group unanimously recommended adoption of a draft strategic plan dated Aug. 5, 2026, citing two pending community development district bills and the need to track project progress across Kakaʻako, TOD zones and Act 252 projects.
Sterling Higa, speaking for the permitted interaction group, presented the group’s report and recommended that the General Authority Board adopt a draft strategic plan dated Aug. 5, 2026. Higa said the PIG met on June 16 and June 19 and voted unanimously to recommend the draft for board adoption.
Higa highlighted that the agency’s scope is expanding and pointed to two community development district bills pending the governor — the Halawa Community Development District bill (referred to in the transcript as SB 2599) and the Banyan Drive Community Development District bill (SB 2001). Because those bills, if enacted, would add districts to the authority, Higa said the strategic plan reflects both current district responsibilities and anticipated growth; staff included a project‑tracking table spanning pages 7–20 to help the board and legislature monitor status and phases across projects.
Higa described a strategic shift over the past four years from a narrow focus on community development districts toward a broader role supporting other government agencies and non‑district Act 252 projects. He said the plan groups objectives by district (Kakaʻako, Kalaikoa, Heʻeia, Pulekānui/Maui, TOD zones) and includes brief project descriptions and phase information for each site.
During questions, Member Streitz asked why industrial parcels in central Kakaʻako did not receive a discrete strategic focus. Staff and Higa responded that the current emphasis is on street and infrastructure improvements (Queen, Kauaʻiʻahu and Waimānalo streets) and that some parcels may be transferred to the City; they referenced ongoing remnant parcel transfer work and item 14 in the Kakaʻako section as addressing related efforts. The transcript records the PIG’s recommendation but does not show a board vote to adopt the plan at this meeting.
Board members and staff said the plan is intended to help legislators and the board quickly assess progress and resource needs; Higa and PIG members indicated they had sought to align the plan’s reporting tables with those needs.
