Kona residents are invited to attend an open house where details of the Kona Open Space Network Plan will be presented and community members will be able to offer input in the planning process.
The County of Hawaii Planning Department initiated the Kona Open Space Network (KOSN) Plan project, with Jacobs Engineering Group as the primary consulting firm.
Jacobs was chosen through the County’s Professional Services procurement process with a $485,ooo contract cost.
The KOSN represents a community-driven objective of the Kona Community Development Plan, aiming to establish connections between public open spaces, parks, neighborhoods, and historic sites. This plan seeks to maintain green drainage and flood control areas while preserving trees for shade and carbon absorption. Additionally, it intends to develop a network of pedestrian and bicycle trails on and off-road to encourage healthy and active lifestyles.
The Kona Open Space Network consists of a living accessible coastal corridor including nearshore waters where residents and visitors alike can enjoy world renowned coastlines, beaches and clean coastal waters.
It identifies culturally important natural resource areas that are appropriately stewarded and where traditional cultural practices can continue and thrive.
The KOSN seeks to incorporate multifunctional open spaces, corridors and view planes integrated throughout and surrounding the urban area that maintain a sense of place and create neighborhoods where residents can walk following natural, shaded corridors to park and playground areas.
The nine member Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee, along with its KOSN sub-committee, is credited for guiding the progress of this project over the years. Since 2015, the KOSN sub-committee has delineated the plan’s visions and goals and contributed to shaping the project’s scope.
The overarching role of the Action Committee is to be a proactive, community-based steward for implementation of Community Development Plan. The Action Committee provides ongoing feedback, advocacy, and action to advance implementation of the CDP goals and objectives and acts in an advisory capacity to the Planning Director.
On August 29, 2023, the KOSN sub-committee and the Planning Department will jointly host an open house event at the Maka‘eo County Pavilion located at the Old Kona Airport. The event will take place from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and feature a presentation highlighting the project’s history, scope, upcoming stages, and examples of successful open space networks. The community is warmly invited to participate and gain insights into the project’s details and opportunities to engage in the planning process. An upcoming project website will also provide further information.