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June 8, 2002 ( <br /> Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd <br /> Chair, Planning Committee <br /> County Council , <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF <br /> HAWAII COUNTY GENERAL PLAN REVISIONS <br /> SUPPORTING OPEN SPACE AT KOHANAIKI <br /> Dear Chair Leithead-Todd and Members of the Planning Committee: <br /> Please support Mayor Kim and Planning Director Chris Yuen's recommendation <br /> to amend the County General Plan to place the shoreline at Kohanaiki into the Open <br /> Space designation. As a member of the communit~~ that uses this area for ocean <br /> recreation, specifically scuba diving from the shore, I support the efforts to protect <br /> Kohanaiki from the impact of exclusive, gated communities and resort development <br /> along the coast. I feel that the shoreline from the Old Airport north to and including Kua <br /> Bay should be kept open for public/community use. I am a 30 year resident of Kona, and <br /> what I see happening is that we are destroying the very reason tourists come to the Big <br /> Island. 8y allowing more and more development, especially shoreline development, we <br /> are "paving Paradise" and getting to the point where the natural beauty that people come <br /> to see is lost. I support the General Plan amendment for the following reasons: <br /> 1. The local community as well as visitors enjoy the beach and coastal <br /> area as a prime ocean recreation spot. There are few enough <br /> places on this island where people can safely access the ocean - <br /> let's not take away one of them. <br /> 2. This area is rich in native Hawaiian cultural sites including village <br /> areas, sacred/ceremonial areas, anchialine ponds, wetlands and <br /> trails as well as habitat for endangered plants, birds, and reef fish. <br /> 3. The land is adjacent to the Kaloko Honokohau National Park and a <br /> portion of it has been designated to be within the Congressionally <br /> Authorized Park boundaries. <br /> 4. The Kohanaiki `Ghana, Na Keiki He'e Nalu and the Kona community <br /> have demonstrated commitment to stewardship of the natural and <br /> cultural resources for over 11 years, providing bathrooms and trash <br /> pick up, beach clean ups, and trail and pond restoration projects. <br /> Thank you for considering a positive vote for Open Space along the coast at Kohanaiki <br /> <br /> and for supporting Bill # 163. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> A. <br /> Corrtr~,, IeT~ <br /> Fits No. <br /> Ref. ~o• _ <br /> F <br /> t+N ~ r?'ate <br /> <br />