(BIVN) – The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee met in Pāhoa on Wednesday evening, and eruption recovery was on the agenda.

The committee got an update from Bob Agres, Manager for Disaster Recovery Community Engagement & Collaboration. Agres talked about the Kīlauea Eruption Recovery Process and its relationship to the Puna CDP goals and objectives.

Some committee members wanted to know more about their role in the recovery effort. According to a planning department presentation, the Puna CDP Action Committee should:

• Monitor the progress and effectiveness of the CDP including the need for CDP revisions based on emerging statewide plans, new technologies, innovative ideas, or changing conditions;
• Serve as the steering committee, as set forth in the general plan, in any comprehensive update of the CDP; [advise on process, lead/support engagement, and make recommendations]
• Community engagement: Broaden community awareness of the CDP and build partnerships, as appropriate, with governmental and community-based organizations to implement CDP policies and actions;

The Action Committee had a chance to discuss and provide feedback on the information presented. The Action Committee members later voted to accept the planning department’s proposed meeting schedule for 2019, in which they will meet once every two months. Puna CDP subcommittees may decide to meet more often, between scheduled Action Committee meetings.