Community Development Plans are intended to translate broad General Plan Goals, Policies, and Standards into implementation Actions as they apply to specific geographical regions around the Island. CDPs are also intended to serve as a forum for Community input into land-use, delivery of government services and any other matters relating to the planning area.

The current Hawai'i County General Plan, approved in 2005 by the County Council, is the overall planning document for Hawai'i Island. The General Plan outlines the process for adopting Community Development Plans (CDPs) outlined in Chapter 15.1: Community Development Plans.  CDPs are enabled by Hawai'i County Code Section 16-2 and administered by the Planning Department.  They serve as the forum for community input into establishing County policy at the regional level and coordinating the delivery of County services to the community.  They translate the broad General Plan statements into actions as they apply to specific geographical areas.  The CDPs direct physical development and public improvements and may contain detailed land use and zoning guide maps, plans for roadways, parks, other infrastructure and public facilities, planning for watersheds and natural resources, and any other land use matters relating to the planning area.

Information on specific CDPs

Go to the CDP district you are interested in:

• North and South Kona
• Puna
• North Kohala
• South Kohala
• Ka'u
• Hamakua

An Action Committee consists of nine volunteer residents from each respective CDP planning area who serve as stewards of the community's plan through facilitating implementation and recommending plan updates as needed.  Committee members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Hawai'i County Council.

Action Committee members will be asked to:

• Guide and advocate implementation of the Community Development Plan
• Support & encourage partners to accomplish actions established in the plan
• Identify and encourage new potential partners for implementation
• Broaden community awareness and build partnerships
• Consider long-term and sustainable plans for local and island-wide application
• Provide timely recommendations to the Planning Department relating to the budget
• Receive briefings from the Planning Department on issues related to the CDP
• Receive briefings from county agencies on priority actions identified in the CDP
• Monitor progress and effectiveness, including the need for plan amendments
• Review and make recommendations on plan amendments
• Provide recommendations to the General Plan

The County requires that Action Committee Members: 

• Reside in the CDP planning area; this must be your primary residence
• Be willing to commit to a term of up to four years
• Be willing to attend monthly Action Committee meetings
• Invest approximately 6-8 hours of work each month and in-between meetings (e.g., prepare comments and recommendations on draft proposals and amendments prior to these meetings, and speak to community groups and individuals)
• Attend training workshops about planning and related topics
• Help organize and attend public meetings, workshops, etc.
• Agree to follow meeting ground rules and operating principles
• Agree to committee Duties and Responsibilities as established by the County