Developers of new housing in West Hawai'i may be required to donate land or pay fees for public schools under a new impact fee law to be initiated in 2009.

A public hearing to discuss the new school impact fees will be held at the Kahakai Elementary School library at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

West Hawai'i is the first area to be considered by the state Board of Education for school impact fees. It will be used as a model for other regions of the state where future residential growth will result in more public school students and require new schools or expansion of existing schools.

The proposed West Hawai'i impact district covers areas served by Waimea Elementary, Waikoloa Elementary, Konawaena Elementary and all Kealakehe complex schools.

The DOE is authorized by state law to collect impact fees. The law requires the designation of impact districts across the state and sets a formula for calculating the amount of land and fees applied to each new unit.

At the hearing, plans for the impact fees will be reviewed. The BOE will consider public comments when taking action on the proposed district in December 2008 or January 2009.

Public comments can be submitted at the meeting or e-mailed to heidi_meeker@notes.k12.hi.us. A map and information regarding the proposed West Hawai'i impact district is available at http://doe.k12.hi.us.

Copies are also available at the West Hawai'i Complex Area Office at 75-140 Hualalai Road, adjacent to the Kailua, Kona Public Library. Or call the DOE Facilities Development Branch at 808-377-8301, ext. 227.