COM 0092.016 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pepeekeo Community Association P. O. Box 877 Pepeekeo, Hawaii 96783 February 16, 2005 Chairman Gary Safarik and Members of the Hawaii County Council RE: Bills Nos. 355 & 356 Relating to Continental Pacific, LLC's Request for Rezoning Aloha Chairman Safarik and Members of the Council: On behalf of the Pepeekeo Community Association, I am submitting testimony in support of Bills # 355 and #356, Continental Pacific, LI,C's request for rezoning for property in Pepeekeo. As stated in several testimonies over the past 2 yeazs to the Planning Commission, Planning Committee and now to the County Council, our community has engaged over the last 4 yeazs in 40+ meetings and discussions among our community members and with representatives and owners of Continental Pacific, LLC. The changes, concems, impact and benefits to our community regarding the land acquisitions and plans in Pepeekeo have been discussed. It is to the credit of both the community and CP,.LLC that compromising considerations for the identity of our community have been mutually agreed on. Earlier testimonies have noted concerns about retaining access to established and traditional fishing grounds, clearing of trees at the old Pepeekeo School grounds and azound cemeteries, and financial assistance for the Volunteer Fire Station property. Results have been compromising and positive. Discussions among community members and with the representatives of Continental Pacific, LLC have presented invaluable opportunities of participation, compromise and education that will benefit the community in the near future and beyond. To further establish the basis on which this support is given, community discussions over the past 4 yeazs were held in both lazge and small group meetings. Attendance at these meetings ranged from 20 to 75 to 120 different community members from Pepeekeo as well as sun•ounding communities. Cumulatively and given the population of this community, the numbers reflect several hundred community members. Opportunities for questions, answers and information were always made available. These meetings were open to the community and not at all restricted to only dues paying members. In 2004 the Community Association had a total of 94 dues paying members. To date, we have 28 members that have renewed and/or joined. Of course, we anticipate an even higher number as we move further into 2005. The concern about the existing cemeteries is not new and this concem surfaced early in our discussions. The remains in the Japanese Graveyazd have been removed and re- interned. The Chinese Graveyard still contains remains and is being maintained through private efforts. The attempt to have the Cantonese inscriptions on the gravestones Comm. No. ~ 2• ~IO Ref. To• Raf. Uate 6