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Lori Beach , <br /> 46-1020 Kinimaka Road ~ L(? (~(n r <br /> Honoka'a, Hawaii 96727 <br /> (808) 775-8209 <br /> January 20, 2005 <br /> To: All Hawaii County Council Members <br /> Re: Hawaii County General Plan - Drafr 4 <br /> Aloha County Council Members, <br /> Please accept the following as my testimony on Draft 4 of the General Plan. <br /> As you probably know, the Hamakua Community has aten-year history of coming <br /> together to put a voice to their collective vision of what they want for their community. <br /> Two issues have come up over and over again in these community meetings: 1) The <br /> desire to preserve our rural nature and life style, and 2) The desire for Hamakua to <br /> continue to be an agricultural based region. I looked at the General Plan with these <br /> community desires in mind and limit my comments specifically to the Hamakua region. <br /> A major change in the General Plan is that of Important Ag Lands ([AL). The intention <br /> for IAL is clear: "Identify, protect and maintain important agriculture lands on the <br /> island of Hawaii. " However, nowhere, in the General Plan or any other document that 1 <br /> am aware of does it say how these Important Ag Lands will be protected. How will this <br /> new designation protect these lands? How will agricultural use be enforced on these <br /> lands`? How will this prevent non-agricultural use on these lands? No one seems to <br /> know. So far, IAL is nothing more than a change of name for lands that are already <br /> designated for agriculture use. I urge you not to lose site of the intention of the IAL and <br /> really work to have enforceable protection of our valuable agricultural lands. <br /> On first glance, the Goals, Standards and Polices listed in Draft 4 would support the <br /> desires of the Hamakua community. However, I feel that the Courses of Action are weak <br /> and will not bring about the intended goal. <br /> For Instance: <br /> 1) Under the Transportation section, a course of action states; "Encourage the State to <br /> <br /> construct a scenic highway from the Waipio Valley lookout extending mauka to connect <br /> <br /> to Mud Lane at the entrance of Waimea." This does not reflect anything that I have heard <br /> <br /> in working with the Community. This item should immediately be eliminated from the <br /> <br /> General Plan. <br /> Comm. N~ y <br /> 2~ ' b 11 ~ <br /> Ref. To: r-"~~~1M_^1.t1 <br /> 1 ~ f _ ,F~a~. ~ ~nn5 <br /> <br />