COM 0687.025 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

l ~ ~ -~°o is ' - r.;~ .e ~ ~ . t~ March 20, 2006 Councilmember Virginia lsbel Chair Planning Committee County Council County of Hawaii Subject: l~iluhilu Development Position: In Favor of Approval Dear Members of the Council: The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce's board of Directors representing over 650 member businesses are writing in support of 0-filuhilu Development's application before you today. The Chamber is in favor of this action because the project, congruent with the Chamber's vision statement, will add value to our community's quality of fife by its support for the initial and continued development of the University of Hawaii campus in West Hawai~ i. This will provide residents of our community with expanded access to education and training opportunities. Major industries of hospitality, food services, nursing, human services/substance abuse counseling, and teacher education serve to highlight the continued need for education and training to support our community's development and growth. The Chamber, fihrough its focus on educational concerns, has been consistently supportive of a permanent presence of the University of Hawaii in this growing part of the Island. Hiluhilu's plans to construct the initial infrastructure to support the further development of the UH Center in West Hawaii will significantly reduce the amount of basic infrastructure needed by the University for its own land. We understand this will save the State millions of dollars and greatly shorten the amount of time the University will need to construct the campus on its own 500 acres. In addition to supporting the University's development, Hiluhilu's plans to provide another mauka-makai roadway connecting Queen Kaahumanu and Mamalahoa Highways indicates their awareness of the community's need for increased infrastructure. Sincerely, Eric von Platen Luder, President Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors ~0~~- N®. ~ Ref. Tp: Pg Raf. f,;°tre ;