COM 0493.054 2000-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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P.O. lox 1185 Volcano, HI 86785 , ~ ~ ~ ~ . June 21, 2002 Chair Leithead-Todd and members of the Council Committee on Planning, I would like to address the importance of the revisions to the General Plan, concerns regarding "taking" of property, and shortcomings of the plan. L THE IMPORTANCE Ol~ THE REVISIONS TO THE GENERAL PLAN The proposed revisions to the General Plan for the first time acknowledge the importance of protection our undeveloped and wild coastal areas. The proposed revisions protect the scenic, undeveloped areas surrounding Kealakekua 13ay, Pu'uhonua O I-Ionaunau National Park and KalokaHonokihau National Park. The significant new protection at Keopuka, I-Ionaunau, Mauumae and Kohanaiki will help to keep these beautiful areas wild ...for our families and for our future. Removing resort designations at Kohanaiki, O' oma, Honaunau 13ay and Pohue Eay makes sense. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority's own survey, 72% of residents oppose more hotel construction. A survey of 1000 Maui tourists found that 41% of respondents said that preservation of natural areas was the most important factor in their decision to return to the islands. Wilderness coastlines such as these provide families areas to swim, whale watch, hike, snorkel, surf, explore tidepools, picnic, seek tranquility and fish. They provide habitat for native species and protection of native I-€awaiian cultural sites. And they create jobs for the visitor industry, which is dependent on the preservation of Hawaii`s natural beauty. We all suffer the consequences of inappropriate coastal development. Most local folks don't want to go to the beach in front of a hotel or condos. When hurricanes, tsunamis and other natural disasters strike, our tax dollars pay for the reconstruction of houses built too close to the shoreline. And then there is the damage to our marine life as occurred twice in 2000 when soil from I-Iokulia's golf course polluted Kona's pristine waters. A Board of Land & Natural Resources report raised serious concerns about damage to the island's coral reef resources as a result of the Hokulia sediment runoff. If we are going to preserve our cultural heritage, provide recreational opportunities and support our visitor-based economy, we must keep our wild places wild, as proposed in the General Plan revisions. II. THE REVISIONS DO NOT "TAKE" PROPERTY The revisions do not constitute a constitutional taking as argued by some developers. Coma, Nom File No. Ref. ~`o: Ref. Date ~ ~