REP PC 077 06/06/2006 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 912 Page 3 of 4 sectors, different cultures that exist in Puna, agriculture, landowners, non-resident land owners, educators, environmental, multi-generational mix, good mix of males and females, regional representation of the Puna area and awareness of history and historic preservation issues. Ms. Chang stated the four reviewers were chosen similar as it was for the Kona CDP. The Kona had a representative from Mayor's office so Andy Levin was the First chosen. They then looked for people who know the Puna azea well and who live there for a long time with experiences in observing people in meetings and handling themselves. Council Member Holschuh requested a hard copy of the point system she just reviewed for use when Hamakua begins it CDP process. Council Member Ikeda noted his surprise the largest landowner Shipman was not a participant especially because this will really affect the community and they own about half the land in Puna. He stated if the steering committee had a representative from Shipman it would be easier to persuade them to release some of their lands. He noted Shipman has tendencies to give land away and was hoping to see a nominee from Shipman so we don't have to buy land from them, and they would give the county land. Ms. Chang stated no one selected by the review committee is directly connected to the Shipman Trust. Ms. Chang agreed they are a very important player and stakeholder and fully intends to bring them in as much as they would like to be. Ms. Chang noted certain Planning staff members aze attending Shipman's master planning meetings being conducted and trying to complete the master plan before the committee gets too far into CDP process. Shipman would like to fully be a pazt of it and share with the community. Council Member Ikeda asked whether there was anyone from Shipman who applied and Ms. Chang stated two people had applied with direct connections to Shipman. One, a direct heir of the trust, was felt to directly benefit personally from the results of the CDP and, by consensus, probably not a good idea. The qualifications of the other Shipman applicant did not rank very high. Mr. Ikdea stated he hoped they keep Shipman involved and stated if we can get the land for free, lets go for it. Chair Pilago stated Mr. Arakaki correctly requested the committee to bifurcate the question and have an opportunity to meet each steering committee nominee on his or her own merits. Council Member Jacobson inquired why Mr. Arakaki is requesting bifurcation and Mr. Arakaki responded because he wants to. Chair Pilago noted that it is Mr. Arakaki's right to make the request and that it was helpful because the members get to meet each applicant on their own merits. Mr. Safarik stated doesn't think taking each nominee individually is a bad thing. There's a lot of good people here and thinks we need to hear their story and bifurcation allows for it. Chairman Pilago introduced Mr. Eddie Alonzo, a 46-year resident of Puna and currently a laborer with the County of Hawaii, Public Works, Highways Division. Mr. Safarik stated he's known Mr. Alonzo and his family for over twenty years and noted Mr. Alonzo also served on the County Council in 1992 when Russel Kokubun ran for Mayor. Mr. Alonzo stated his drive in deciding to run for the steering committee is that he wanted to put something back into the community. Mr. Alonzo stated he has experience and knowledge from sitting in the Planning Commission from 1993 to 1997. He stated that traffic is the number one issue in Puna and that a lot of other issues need to be addressed which need long-term, broad range planning for the community. Mr. Alonzo stated he brought to the attention of the Department of Transportation concerns regarding road flooding. He also said that if a highway needs to be built, what we should be looking at is ways to work with Shipman and other landowners and to condemn or exchange land to build a bypass road from PC REPORT NO. 77