A Hawaii County Council member is proposing more specific qualifications for Windward and Leeward Planning Commission members.
A county bill under consideration by a council committee over the last two weeks would require that the Windward and Leeward planning commissions include at least one member with experience or expertise in Native Hawaiian traditions, customary practises, land usage and law.
The bill also requires that at least one member has expertise in areas such as land use planning, land development or environmental science and conservation. Each of those fields would have to be represented on the commission by different members.
The council’s Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs has discussed the proposal twice without coming to a final decision. However, members appear to generally support the intent of the bill, despite some concerns about its specificity and the difficulty of finding commission members who fit the proposed criteria.
Kohala Councilwoman Cindy Evans, who introduced the bill, explained during an April 16 meeting of the committee that the concept of the measure originated from a review of the county charter, when she realized document is not specific about the qualifications required of planning commissioners.
“I looked at other charters and at other commissions, and I realized that it’s pretty normal — if there’s specific qualification you want — it’s pretty normal to include those in your charter,” Evans said.
But other council members pointed out an obvious problem with the measure.
“Generally speaking, we’ve seen a lot of challenges with trying to fill seats on the Windward and Leeward planning commissions,” said Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball on April 16. “We want to be careful about this, in terms of potentially tying our hands when we’re already struggling.”
South Kona Councilwoman Michelle Galimba echoed those concerns Wednesday, saying the bill as written could put the county in a position where no person exists in a given district who can fill the specific requirements of a commission seat.
Jennifer Wilkinson, a Kona resident and member of the county Liquor Commission, submitted testimony April 16 advising against the proposal, not just because of the difficulties of finding qualified candidates, but also because of how narrowly it could constrict the perspectives of the commissions.
“At times I am awed by the novel ideas that have been offered by those who have absolutely zero background in the subject of conversation, yet their thoughtful contemplation, questions and unique experiences provide meaningful insight and an invaluable point of view,” Wilkinson wrote. “I propose that the fresh eyes of those volunteers who do not have the specific backgrounds to ‘color’ their reading or discussion of a particular issue is very much needed.”
Other council members questioned specific language in the bill. Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz noted Wednesday the measure requires that members have “substantial” expertise or experience in their fields, but does not quantify what that word actually means.
Evans first postponed the measure on April 16 so that absent council members would be able weigh in. Despite their presence on Wednesday, she ultimately moved to postpone it a second time for further discussion and possible amendments.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.