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~ ~ (o,~~~~~~~p,~ <br /> HUI LIHIKAI l~ Vl~'J"Yi~O~ <br /> CTI'IZENS FOR PROTECTION OF THE <br /> NORTH KOHALA COASTLINE <br /> P.O. BOX 76, HAWI HAWAII 96719 PH/FAX 889-5553 <br /> July 2, 1997 <br /> Mr. James Arakaki-Chairman <br /> Hawai i County Council <br /> RE: Bill 96: <br /> (Draft 2) <br /> Mr Chairman & Council Members, <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to testify. My name is Richard Boyd and I am <br /> a resident of Hawi. I am Co-chair of Hui Lihikai and as such am familiar with the <br /> site of this project and of the chronology of this project as well. <br /> A number of concerns about this project have been raised by others ie: view <br /> plains, pollution of shoreline habitats, legality of zoning, potable water, what are the <br /> covenants and conditions for this project, if any, going to be, and many others. I will <br /> address only two concerns. Opposition to any up zoning or development until a <br /> firm plan is in place that will protect the basic open and scenic values of this unique <br /> resource. Secondly the coastal trail. <br /> The State Legislature and earlier County Councils have passed resolutions in <br /> support of preserving the North Kohala Coast coast as is. In order to give any <br /> credence to these wishes a plan must be in place that will guarantee it's <br /> preservation. This plan must be statute. <br /> Next is the Coastal Trail. Last week the County Planning Commission visited <br /> the site. I walked the coastal section with Rodney Oshiro, chief of the big island <br /> DLNR's Na Ala Hele. Na Ala Hele is the section of DLNR charged with maintaining <br /> the trail systems. After doing so we made the following observations and a <br /> suggestion: <br /> 1. It will be very difficult if not impossible to build a safe shore line trail if a strict <br /> high tide/ beginning of vegetation guideline is observed. The terrain in some <br /> locations is extremely steep and hazardous. The developers will need to be flexible <br /> in their interpretation of the shoreline certification. In many cases even 10 feet will <br /> not allow for safe passage. <br /> 2. As a possible solution, we suggest that if the developer is sincere in wanting to <br /> keep lateral access available to the public, that they could sit down with Mr. Oshiro <br /> and his staff and work out a plan for a reasonable and safe trail configuration. <br /> The Big Island is on the brink of becoming a part of the National Trail <br /> System. Let's be sure that when hikers get to Kawaihae, they don't have go up and <br /> then along Akoni Pule Highway, past Kohala Ranch, before they can return to the <br /> coastal trail. <br /> I ask you to defer this project until such time that mitigation on at least some <br /> <br /> of these concerns can be achieved. <br /> Mahalo for your consideration. <br /> Richard Boyd ~I~~])~~~//JJ~) <br /> l.Olff.~]l. bO. <br /> File I(o. ZN <br /> ~ ~ Proser~ted <br /> ~ JUL <br /> 0~ 2 <br /> <br />