Committee narrows charter language, forwards measure to require planning commission expertise

The committee advanced a charter amendment, Bill 145, that would require a portion of Windward and Leeward Planning Commission members to have specified areas of expertise. Chair Cindy Evans offered and the committee accepted a narrowed amendment that reduced the original counts and broadened the qualifying language to make recruitment more practical.

Under the amended version advanced by the committee, at least three of the seven commissioners should collectively bring expertise in 1) Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, native Hawaiian law, or native Hawaiian land usage; 2) climate resilience, natural resources management or agricultural sustainability; and 3) environmental science, environmental protection or land conservation. Makers said the change is intended to ensure the commissions include knowledge needed to weigh land‑use choices and cultural values.

Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strantz and several councilmembers urged caution about embedding highly specific expertise requirements in the charter because it can make recruitment harder and could create unexpected operational hurdles when vacancies occur. "There could be delays in filling vacancies while there's a search for a person who meets the qualifications," she told the committee. Supporters said the change can be drafted broadly enough to encourage representation without excluding qualified volunteers. The committee voted to forward the amended bill to full council with a favorable recommendation.