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S E. ~ ~ ~ 9 ` <br /> ~ 59~q <br /> 9 n~v, ~ <br /> g <br /> y®n //`+fY <br /> 4e} <br /> '''~'-a ve'~ <br /> HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES <br /> STATE OF HAWAII <br /> STATE CAPITOL <br /> HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813 <br /> August 13, 2004 <br /> Dear Hamakua Neighbor, <br /> In March 1995, almost six months after Hamakua Sugar Company closed its doors for the <br /> final time, a visioning session was held in Honokaa. This was done to obtain a "collective <br /> view" of the future preferred by the community. <br /> One theme that emerged from the visioning process came to be known as "A Thousand <br /> Points of Green". This concept represented the transformation of a community from a single <br /> monolithic crop and employer, to a thousand successful small farmers, prospering along the <br /> coastline. It reflected an understanding that keeping agriculture as a substantial part of our <br /> economy helped define the character of our community. <br /> In ] 999, under the sponsorship of the Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation, <br /> and through a strategic planning process, the "vision" was revisited. Once again, the <br /> community validated that it was important to maintain a "rural character", which meant that <br /> agriculture should remain a significant part of the economic base. <br /> In recent years, land development and gated communities along the Hilo Coast (just a half <br /> hour drive down the highway) have raised a number of concerns. The loss of access rights, <br /> the loss of prime agricultural land forever, and rising real property taxes, especially for the <br /> Kupuna on fixed income, are consequences that are being questioned. In particular, <br /> development that maximizes profit, by pricing the land out of the reach of most local <br /> families, is being challenged. Is this right? Is this what we want for Hamakua? <br /> Our community has had a proud history of working together, to ensure that it plays a <br /> meaningful role in determining what our future will look like. On Saturday, August 28`h, we <br /> will have another opportunity for broad community input, to develop a Hamakua Agriculture <br /> Plan. Everyone is welcome to attend and to provide input. <br /> Developing the Hamakua Agriculture Plan begins on Saturday, August 28`" with registration <br /> at 9:00 a.m. at the Honokaa High School Cafetorium. Please plan to stay and participate until <br /> 3:00 p.m. as the discussion will be facilitated, and will include a strategic planning process. <br /> Save the date -and come and participate! <br /> If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Otherwise, circle August 28t° and <br /> <br /> bring a friend. <br /> Sincerely, G <br /> ,~,~a Comm. No. ~'a• L~' <br /> Ref. To: F _ <br /> Rep. Dwight Y. Takamine Ref. Uate 9 2nn6 <br /> <br />