Government Affairs

Let the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce take care of politics so you can take care of business.

The KKCC has an active Government Affairs Committee whose mission is to be aware of legislative issues at County, State and Federal levels that affect West Hawaii and to advocate positions that foster improvements in the business community.

The KKCC creates positions on various issues of concern to the community and takes them to the membership for approval. The following Position Statements were overwhelmingly approved by the membership in January of 2007. The position statements incorporate the concept of Smart Growth Principles:
• Create range of housing opportunities and choices;
• Create walkable neighborhoods;
• Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration;
• Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place;
• Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective;
• Mix land uses;
• Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas;
• Provide a variety of transportation choices;
• Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities; and
• Take advantage of compact building design.

New Hospital in West Hawaii

Issue

The existing facility, Kona Community Hospital, is now almost 35 years old and is poorly located given the change in population center and future plans for urban expansion all north of Palani Rd .

• Kona Community Hospital was sited relative to Kona’s “Agricultural Period” to serve the South Kona...

Infrastructure

Issue

We are an island community that has faced significant growth over the past two decades and anticipates similar growth trends in the future. As we plan for our future, due consideration of advancing new technologies will achieve desired results in transportation, communication systems, sources and transmission of utilities, and waste...

University of Hawaii - Kona

Issue

A decade ago, the University of Hawaii perceived the need for higher education in West Hawaii when its Board of Regents reviewed detailed plans and selected a 500-acre State-owned parcel in North Kona for a permanent facility.

While it seemed appropriate to call for an expanded University of Hawaii Center...

Land Use Laws

Issue

The Land Use Laws for the County and State continue to be poorly understood and actually are quite confusing. This lack of clarity is used by all sides in the public debate about land use but in the end is a significant cause of complaints about the County/Planning Department and...

Affordable Living

Issue

An up-to-the-minute study needs to be conducted that identifies the actual scope of specific housing needs (for all income levels including transitional units, subsidized rentals, workforce housing and affordable homes for purchase) district by district. The impact of affordable units under construction or in planning stages must be considered within...