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~caL v~rr;~Y <br /> ~~-2 <br /> Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chair <br /> Hawaii County Council Planning Committer <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 June 15, 2002 <br /> Re: Hawaii County General Plan QCIv~:~ ` <br /> Dear Mrs. Leithead-Todd: ~.-GZ~ BY__v„~~_~~~~-_ <br /> panty Council ~ ~ - P C <br /> Thank you for holding the recent General Plan Revision meetings island wide to allow maximum input <br /> <br /> from all areas of the island. Mahalo fior the changes in the latest draft that add more open space and <br /> allow for preservation of our valuable coastal resources. <br /> I have reviewed this latest version of the Plan and would like to offer the following comments, <br /> Firstly, I recommend two signifiicant shoreline areas in the North Kona district be added to the section on <br /> Natural Beauty: Kapalaoa Beach area (on the south side of Anaehoomalu Bay) TMK: 7-1-3:5,6 and 11 <br /> and Wai'aha Bay Beach TMK: 7-5-18:20 <br /> All of our shoreline areas are extremely significant, but I believe these two in particular should be <br /> recognized; Kapalaoa Beach because of its remoteness and pristine qualities (photographs enclosed), <br /> and Wai'aha Bay because of its proximity to what will be one of the heaviest developed areas in Kailua - <br /> Kona, which is so lacking in white sand beaches. <br /> Secondly, Under Flood Control and Drainage there is much discussion on flooding, tsunami and property <br /> damage. However, no real guidelines for coastal development that address these hazards are outlined. <br /> Hawaii county's 40 foot shoreline setback law is completely inadequate in protecting property owners from <br /> the hazards of storms and the ocean. T'he State's Coastal Erosion Management Plan (COEMAP) <br /> developed by the DLNR through years of research has established recommendations for ccastal <br /> development. Hawaii County should officially adopt these guidelines in their entirety by adding these to <br /> our general plan. <br /> Thirdly, another recommendation would be to require a 100 foot shoreline setback for any future <br /> residential subdivisions greater than five (5) acres in size. The 40' setback would remain for existing <br /> smaller lot owners. Resort and commercial properties should be required to have an even greater <br /> setback in order to preserve the natural beauty of the shoreline. Extending current setbacks would <br /> actually serve to protect future coastal developments from the threat of coastal erosion, the damaging <br /> effiects of which are evidenced in numerous locations such Kailua Bay, Kapoho and Puako on the Big <br /> Island. Kihei on Maui and Lanikai on Oahu. <br /> I support the proposed changes to the LUPAG maps for open space designation for North Kohala <br /> on map 2. Kohanaiki, N. Kona map 2. Keopuka, S. Kona map 1. Pohue, Kau 1 {see photo) and finally <br /> Kawa Bay, Kau on map 2. <br /> I am in support of open space buffers around significant historical sites including Pu'ukohola Heiau in ~ <br /> South Kohala, Keakealaniwahine Heiau complex and Kauakaiakaola Heiau in North Kona (just north c~,e <br /> of the Casa De Emdiko condominium). ~ ~ <br /> ~J <br /> Other recommendations include: <br /> Expansion of Spencer Beach Park -open space designation of the narrow shoreline area makai of the ~ <br /> old Kawaihae to Puako road to Mau'umai Beach - creating a coastal recreational shoreline park. ~ ~ <br /> d ~ <br /> The need for more beach parks and access including parking in this district presents itself now and will ~ <br /> be of even greater demand in the near future. ~ <br /> ~ ~ ~ <br /> <br />