Hamakua Community Development Plan - Hamakua Coast, Hawai'i

Website

Hamakua Community Development Plan Website (Hawaii County)

PlaceMatters is working with a interdisciplinary team led by PBR Hawaii to create the Hamakua Community Development Plan. The team is working with the County of Hawai'i Planning Department to help residents envision a sustainable future for the Hamakua region on the Eastern side of the island. Residents of the Hamakua region have already begun to articulate their vision via "Talk Story" meetings and focus groups. PlaceMatters will be continuing to assist with outreach and feedback via larger public meetings. We will also be conducting scenario analysis using GIS and ecosystem-based management tools to help participants understand the impacts of various options, particularly in a region with many cultural, economic, historical and natural resources.

Tools and Methods

PlaceMatters has set up a mechanism for Hamakua residents to submit photographs of the region with comments about strengths and challenges. We are also assisting the County in creating an interactive website. Our work will primarily focus on creating interactive and informative public workshops, where the impacts of various alternatives will be readily available to help participants make informed decisions about the future. For these workshops, PlaceMatters will be employing CommunityViz, an ArcGIS extension that creates easy to understand scenario comparisons on a wide variety of indicators.

Outcomes

The outcomes of the Hamakua CDP will be a plan for the future of Hamakua, including growth and investment strategies. The plan will also describe economic development strategies and actions, as well as protection and improvement of and and access to natural, historical, and cultural resources.

For more information

Contact Jocelyn Hittle