MEDIA RELEASE

The County of Hawai‘i Planning Department has reopened the application acceptance period for the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee. The deadline to submit an application is 4:30 p.m., September 4, 2009.

Anyone that has previously submitted an application through the Planning Department or the Mayor’s Office do not need to resubmit their application. Applications can be downloaded at www.punacdp.info or picked up at the Planning Department, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo.

Nine volunteers are being sought by the County of Hawaii Planning Department to serve on the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee. The Action Committee will serve as a proactive, community based steward of the plan’s implementation and update.

Volunteers who serve on the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee will be asked to attend monthly meetings, meet with supporting partners, participate in training workshops and or retreats, help organize and attend public involvement meetings, workshops and or charettes, and serve as a source for promoting and sharing information about the Puna Community Development Plan with individuals and community groups.

Interested persons will be required to submit an application to the Planning Department. From the total pool of applications submitted since the initial application acceptance period began in October 2008, a sufficient number will be selected using pre-determined selection criteria to be interviewed by an Applicant Review Committee. The review committee will recommend nine applicants for appointment to the Action Committee. The nine nominees shall then be approved by the Planning Director and referred to the Mayor for appointment and confirmed by the County Council.

“We want community-minded individuals who can bring a wealth of knowledge, have a positive attitude and are willing to share their skills and life experiences with others,” said Larry Brown, Puna CDP Project Manager.)

The Puna Community Development Plan was the first of six plans initiated by the County of Hawaii Planning Department, as prescribed by the General Plan, to be adopted by ordinance. The General Plan is an broad planning document for the Island of Hawaii, while the Community Development Plans are district specific, allowing for more detailed planning efforts and ongoing community involvement.

For information, contact Larry Brown, 961-8135 (lbrown@co.hawaii.hi.us), or Rachelle Ley, 937-3217 (RachellePunaCDP@gmail.com).