Laserfiche WebLink
December 5, 2001 <br /> <br /> TO: Hawaii County Council <br /> FR: Josephine Keliiipio <br /> P.O. Box 368 ~In~IVI <br /> Kealakekua, Hi 96750 <br /> ~tl~: ®ne® 18ay ~r®ject - ~IL.~L NO. 1~3 t~t~.____--___-_-1.03... <br /> C®unty ~®aancil <br /> Dear County Council Members, <br /> I have been aware of the Oneo Bay project for about 2 years now. <br /> I understand that this project has been recently added to the State Transportation Plan <br /> or what is called the STP. <br /> When I read about this project in the West Hawaii Today, it seemed like a nice idea The <br /> sketch by Kaz Shigezawa was impressive as most of his sketches are. <br /> I think the tourists would love this extended walkway over the ocean HOWEVER I do not <br /> feel that enough consideration has been given to the following: <br /> 1) How did the project get added to the STP when no Environmental Assessment or <br /> Impact Statement was done? Why is it hidden under Alii Drive Improvements in the <br /> agenda rather than calling it a sidewalk extension overhanging over our water? <br /> Are any of you council members concerned about the impacts of such a <br /> Project? <br /> 2) Although the idea of this walkway sounds nice, I think we should all step <br /> back and assess how these sort of projects are literally cluttering the shoreline. I <br /> question also how Java on the Rocks was able to perch itself so close to ocean. <br /> 3) What kind of pollution will be blown and washed into the ocean? Will this project add <br /> more cigarette butts, road dust, etc.? Lots of things blow into the ocean from edge <br /> side establishments like Bubba Gumps, etc. How much more pollution will be added <br /> to our marine life due to this project? <br /> 4) What kind of access will this structure have for locals who want to either take a dip <br /> in the ocean or get down to the rocks for fishing? For those of you who are unaware <br /> either because you have not lived here long enough or because its not a noticeable <br /> thing, the local flavor of the immediate Oneo Bay area is vanishing or almost <br /> disappeared because there are too many structures crowding out locals who used to <br /> use the area for swimming or fishing. There needs to be a balance between <br /> accommodating tourists and accommodating the locals when proposing such <br /> structures like this Onea Bay sidewalk extension. <br /> 5) Please read the current issue of Hawaii Island Journal. One of the articles speaks <br /> of taking care of the land so that it wil( take care of you. Another article speaks of <br /> sustainability and Bonnie Goodell's article speaks of hanging out the laundry to dry <br /> which is such a natural local thing to do yet it is scorned as an "eye sore" by the <br /> materialistic Western culture. Kona is changing in very UNKONA way. Kona can only <br /> be Kona when you begin to learn and practice the "Kona Way of Life." <br /> 6) Lastly, We, the public, must be granted time to scrutinize the blue prints and have <br /> an Environmental Assessment done. While the project looks good in the newspaper, IT <br /> IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL If~IPACT. Approving taxpayer monies now for this project is not <br /> only pre-mature but also IRRESPONSIBLE. ~;t~~n. j~j®m <br /> k`II~ I~aa. <br /> f. <br /> _ <br /> <br />