Hawaii County considers curbing AI data centers
Hawaii County is considering Bill 170, which would define large-scale AI data centers separately from other data-processing facilities and effectively prohibit them by excluding them from permitted uses in the county code. The Windward Planning Commission voted 5-1 to recommend against the bill because its definition may be too vague, although commissioners and residents broadly supported preventing data center development and called for clearer language.
Hamakua Councilperson Heather Kimball introduced Bill 170 to close a potential loophole in Hawaii County’s code that could allow large-scale artificial intelligence data centers to be developed on the Big Island. The bill distinguishes industrial-scale data centers from data-processing facilities that are currently permitted in some zoning districts; because the new category would not be listed as a permitted use, it would effectively be prohibited.
The Windward Planning Commission voted 5-1 to issue an unfavorable recommendation, primarily because members believed the bill’s definition was insufficiently specific. Commissioner JoNelle Fukushima supported the bill’s intent but called for more expertise and clearer language, while Vice Chair Chantel Perrin, the sole supporter of the bill as written, said revisions could be made when it returns to the County Council. The Leeward Planning Commission is scheduled to review the measure Oct. 15, and residents who testified generally backed limiting data centers because of their potential energy and water demands while also seeking stronger wording.