Rezoning Petition for 171 Acres in Makaweli Heads to Hearing
A county zoning amendment petition (ZA-2026-2) to change the land-use designations of approximately 171.72 acres at Kapalawai, Makaweli is scheduled for public review by the Kaua‘i Planning Commission on Monday, Nov. 10. The proposal, which seeks to restore designations that existed prior to Ordinance PM-2001-356 (as amended), could affect future development, resource management, and local services in the westside community.
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The Kaua‘i Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Monday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. on ZA-2026-2, a zoning amendment petition concerning a 171.72-acre parcel in Kapalawai, Makaweli (TMK (4) 1-7-005:001). The hearing is scheduled at the Līhuʿe Civic Center, Moʻikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A–2B; members of the public should check the official agenda for the final location. Oral testimony will be taken in person.
The petition requests that the county rezone the property to the land-use designations that existed prior to the adoption of Ordinance PM-2001-356 (as amended). The change would restore whatever zoning categories were in place before that 2001 ordinance altered them. The petition’s text and supporting materials filed with the Planning Department should outline the precise designations being requested and the petitioner’s rationale; those documents are available through county planning channels for public review.
A parcel of 171.72 acres is a substantial tract on the west side of the island, and any rezoning could influence a range of local issues, from the types of permitted development and agricultural activity to infrastructure demands and environmental protections. For residents of Makaweli and neighboring communities, the outcome could affect land-management priorities, traffic and access considerations, water and wastewater planning, and property-tax classifications tied to land use. Changes in zoning also shape longer-term planning around housing, open space, and economic activity.
The Planning Commission’s hearing is an initial, formal opportunity for public scrutiny and input. Under Kaua‘i’s land-use process, the commission typically receives testimony, evaluates the petition against county plans and zoning standards, and then makes a recommendation that may be forwarded to the County Council for final action. Commissioners will consider technical reports, planner recommendations, and community testimony before making their determination.
For community members seeking to engage, the Nov. 10 hearing is a primary venue to present concerns or support directly to decision-makers; the county agenda will confirm the meeting room and may list procedures for testimony. Residents and stakeholders should review the petition materials, county planning maps showing current and requested designations, and any environmental or infrastructure assessments associated with the petition to prepare informed testimony.
The scheduling of ZA-2026-2 brings zoning policy and land-use priorities into sharp focus for west Kaua‘i. As the process moves forward, the Planning Commission’s evaluation and any subsequent Council action will determine whether the Kapalawai parcel’s legal designations revert to their pre-2001 status, with tangible consequences for how the land can be used and managed in the years ahead.
