COM 0027.007 2000-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

HAWAII ISLAND Economic Development Board Ms Bobbie Jean Letthead-Todd PMB-261 200 Kenoelehua Avenue Chair, Planning Committee Hilo, Hawan 967200666 Ph (8061968-5416 Hawaii County Council Fa: ceoe>ssfiars2 25 Aupuni Street e-mail clipper9inierpac net webeite www hietlb org Hilo, HI 96 Re GATEWAY CENTER, Kea'au Public Heazing Jan 23, 2001 1.30PM My name is Paula Helfrich and I am President of the Hawatt Island Economic Development Boazd In 1996, HIEDB moved its offices to Kea'au, locating at the former Ola'a Sugaz Mill Field Office HIEDB's philosophy at that rime, and continuing today, was that Kea'au Town and its surrounds would become a center of learning, agricultural distribution, and community services - Wtth the advent of the bypass road (ROAD, NOT HIGHWAY(), the new Kea'au Htgh School and Intermediate School, and the recent groundbreaking of Kamehameha Schools Campus on the mauka side of Volcano Highway, we are achieving that critical mass as a center of education - With the advent of the a-beam processing plant, expansion of floral and nursery production, several distribution centers at Shipman Park and expansion of other food- processing facilities, and the virtual explosion of production acreage in none, kava, papaya, taro and other high value crops, we aze on the edge of the critical mass to become a commercial mazket distribution center -With an increase in light industrial operations and regional population, it is essential to establish and expand additional community- service centers for commercial and social facilities such as banks, business services, medical clinics, retail establishments and dining or entertainment venues which aze not available outside of Hilo town These need to be available and expanded in Kea'au Town itself, and also on the adJacent pazcels serving the Volcano Highway communities, Panaewa and Stainback Highway residents -Aright-hand turn mauka-side VISITORS CENTER should be a priority order of business, in order to educate visitors on the various scenic and cultural activities of the region, and to attract visitors to visit the amenities and overnight accommodations in the Pima District It should be noted that every successful Visitors Center on the island is located at some nexus vantage point in order to attract attention and maintain tratFc safety (Example Honoka'a Visitors Center at Tex Drive In) Comm. No. FYIe No. Ref. To: Rer. De+a JAN 2 3 7001 .