Oahu's General Plan

​In 2013 the Oahu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) began a revision of the 2003   Oahu General Plan (GP). After a flurry of public hearings and gathering public testimony revisions to the GP went silent for four years.
 
In 2017 the DPP forwarded a revised version of the 2013 Oahu General Plan (Resolution 21-23) to the Honolulu City Council for consideration.
 
On March 3, 2021 Councilmember Brandon Elefante, Chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee, held a public informational meeting on the proposed amendments and held a public hearing on July 13, 2021. A public hearing on a second version was held [oct?].

Hearings

​Committee on Zoning and Planning Chair Elefante 
10/21/21 hearing on General Plan amendments Resolution 21-23 agenda

​Council member Elefante most recent amendments to General Plan Resolution 21-23

The Department of Planning and Permitting amendments to General Plan Resolution 21-23
​
OGP Hui’s key recommendations
( underlined is new wording; crossed out is delete wording)

​OGP Hui’s complete recommendations 8.6.21 on Resolution 21-23 
( noted with new wording underlined in red font and deletions marked with a strikethrough in red font )
​
​OGP Hui testimony 10.21.21

Oahu General Plan Hui

Understanding how critical the General Plan is in Oahu’s land use planning process, organizations and individuals came together to form the Oahu General Plan Hui (OGP) to review and make recommendations on the proposed changes. Core members of the OGP Hui are: Hawaii’s Thousand Friends, Donna Wong; Malama-Puupulea, Denise Antolini; Shar Chun-Lum, Save Ala Moana Beach Park, Liveable Hawaii Kai Hui, Elizabeth Reilly; Kathleen Pahinui, Larry McElhaney and Choon James.
 
The Hui’s mission statement:
 
  • Recognize residents and future generations as the highest priority in planning for our extraordinary and unique Pacific island home; 
  • Strive to holomua – move forward – promotes sustainable, inclusive, self-reliant communities;
  • Rooted in Hawaiʻi’s indigenous wisdom and ahupuaʻa practices;
  • Acknowledge the carrying capacity and limits of our infrastructure and natural resources;
  • Protect and enhance a clean and healthful environment;
  • Promote environmental and social justice; act immediately on the climate emergency; advance neighborhood food security; support housing that is attainable for local families and working residents;
  • Promote a diversified economy that substantially reduces reliance on tourism;
  • Ensure effective implementation, accountability, and alignment with Oʻahu’s eight sustainable and development plans; and enforce strict adherence to City and County ordinances and rules. 
  • Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  Sustainability implies equilibrium and limits.  Never-ending growth is not sustainable, especially on an island.

More on Oahu General Plan

The Oahu General Plan (OGP) is mandated as part of the statewide planning system (Hawaii Revised Statute (HRS) 226) and the Honolulu City Charter Section 6-1508 to set forth long-range objectives and policies for the city and indicate the most desirable population and physical development patterns for the county and regions within the county and contain statements of the general social, economic, environmental and design objectives to be achieved for the general welfare and prosperity of the people of the city and the. (Note: the island of Oahu is considered the City and County of Oahu)
 
The OGP guides land use, government, private enterprise and individual citizens in 11 areas:
  1. Population
  2. The Economy
  3. Natural Environment and Resource Stewardship
  4. Housing and Communities
  5. Transportation and Utilities
  6. Energy
  7. Physical Development and Urban Design
  8. Public Safety and Community Resilience
  9. Health and Education
  10. Culture and Recreation
  11. Government Operations and Fiscal management
 
The OGP states that the City and County government will implement the policies contained in the General Plan through ordinances and resolutions as well as through rules and regulations. Also essential to policy implementation are the City's annual budget and six-year capital-improvement program, both of which are required to be consistent with the objectives and policies of the Plan, especially with regard to long-term commitments of money.
 
The island’s 8 Development and Sustainable Community Plans, which contain statements of standards and principles with respect to land uses and statements of urban design principles and controls carry out the objectives and policies of the General Plan.
 
For more information on the Oahu General Plan and process see:
 
2013 Oahu General Plan

Ramseyer version of 2013 General Plan showing changes made ( underlined is new wording; crossed out wording is deleted )

Resolution 21-22 proposed changes to the Oahu General Plan
 
Honolulu City Charter General Plan and Development/Sustainable Community Plans Sections 6-1507 to Section 6-1512 pages 64 to page 67

Hawaii State Planning Act Hawaii’s Revised Statutes (HRS) 226-58 County general plans

General Plan Map

The maps are not user friendly, confusing, hard to read and understand where and what the changes are.
 
  • A new map needs to have stronger distinctions i.e. hatched lines, colors etc. between the different areas.
  • A new map needs an overlay with sufficient detail to identify changes and allow readers to understand the boundary and designation changes.
  • A new map needs to use horizontal lines to identify rural areas.
  • A new map needs a legend to explain why rural areas were removed in Koolau Loa and Koolaupoko and what all the white represents.