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Gail Byrne, MSCE 68-3551 Awamoa PZ Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738 rtr'ceiv~ir ~1me.-~ GL~ B -~-t- Uare----~---5f o `~j~ May 3, 2005 (,tiwniy Caunc~l Aloha, Honorable Members of the County Council, Thank you for the opportunity to present written and oral testimony in support of Bill 78. In particular, Kohala kupuna, Fleur Weymouth (Aunty Pua), who could not be here today, wishes to express her support for this Bill. We urge you to pass Bill 78 because it makes sound economic sense to do so. Data from around the country show that putting money aside for open space provides a good, financial return on investment. Those communities that have actively preserved open space have robust economies and greater, long-term economic stability'. And, importantly, this economic strength is directly related to the higher quality of life that open space provides for every community member 2-7. References for these statements are provided at the end of this letter. The economic benefits of preserving and conserving open space, intact, are especially true for Hawaii Island because the Island's largest income sources are directly related to the intact natural environment and beauty of the Island's open space: tourism and scientific and educational programs e'9. It is widely understood by the tourism and visitor organizations within the state that what differentiates Hawaii from other tourist destinations is the natural environment and host culturet0. Bill 78 will provide an important tool to protect these invaluable assets. There maybe some question about whether we can afford Bill 78. Really, we can not afford not to pass this Bill. The alternative would be economic suicide. If we do not proactively set aside funds to invest in and protect, intact, those assets that are the basis for our major economic activities, we will indeed kill the goose that is laying the golden egg. Again, data and experience show that if you want a solid economy and high quality of life for everyone, then invest in measures such as Bill 78. As you know, an independent poll conducted last year showed an overwhelming number of Hawaii Island residents are in favor of this Bill. Similarly, Kohala has a long, well-documented history of support for measures to protect open space. Over 5,700 signatures were collected on one occasion in support of such efforts. A significant handy-cap to implementing local community priorities has been a lack of a local funding source. And without Bill 78, accessing a variety of Federal funding sources is very difficult if not impossible. Bill 78 is needed and Kohala supports it. p Comm. No. ~ 0•~` Ref. To:tree R;;f. Cate Page [ qJ3