Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> F t <br /> rFe <br /> <br /> <br /> KONIA-KOIIALA 75-5737 Kuakini Hwy., Suite 208 <br /> CHAMBER Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 <br /> Phone: 808-329-1758 Fax:808-329-8564 <br /> OF COMMERCE www.kona-kohala.com info@kona-kohala.com <br /> <br /> April 25, 2006 <br /> <br /> Stacy Higa, Chair <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street - <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> <br /> Re: Support Initiative to Dedicate 2% of Hawaii County Real Property Tax Collections <br /> for Acquisition of Lands for Open Space and Cultural Purposes <br /> Dear Chair Higa, <br /> <br /> The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce strongly supports dedicating an annual portion <br /> of the Island's real property tax revenue toward the purchase of public lands. In that <br /> regard we support placing the proposed 2% Initiative, which dedicates 2% of existing <br /> real property taxes to the Open Space Fund and also removes the current cap imposed <br /> on the Fund, on the November ballot. We feel we must protect our natural and cultural <br /> lands now, before our treasured areas disappear forever. We must protect our <br /> watersheds, coastal waters, native Hawaiian cultural and historic sites, forests and <br /> agricultural lands. Our quality of life and our children's future are at stake. Thousands of <br /> visitors enjoy our island each year. We support tourism as a sustainable industry and <br /> realize that our natural resources are the foundation for these businesses. <br /> We ask that County Council members support the 2% Initiative. We intend to educate <br /> our members about this Initiative and will encourage area residents and businesses to <br /> collect signatures in order to bring this issue before the voters on November 7, 2006. <br /> <br /> The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of West Hawaii. We <br /> represent over 700 member businesses. Please place this issue on the ballot and let <br /> Hawaii County voters decide. <br /> <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br /> <br /> Val &Wj, v <br /> <br /> Eric Von Platen Luder, President <br /> <br /> <br /> Cc: Riley Smith, Environmental Committee Chair <br /> <br /> Conan No. 1 <br /> Ref. Tor h 1'161 <br /> Rel. Dote <br />