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<br /> TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 309
<br /> BY DAVID TARNAS,
<br /> MARINE AND COASTAL SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
<br /> PLANNING CONSULTANT TO JACOBY DEVELOMENT, INC.
<br /> AUGUST 23, 2006
<br />
<br /> Aloha
<br /> Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Bill 309, Interim General Plan Amendment E-4,
<br /> which amends the General Plan for the Kealakehe makai lands from "Open" to "Urban Expansion
<br /> Area.,,
<br />
<br /> Among the lands covered under Amendment E-4, there are 300 acres that are covered by a Development
<br /> Agreement between the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Jacoby Development, Inc. This
<br /> agreement requires Jacoby Development, Inc. to complete a Master Development Plan, Core
<br /> Infrastructure Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement by November, 2006. The project
<br /> envisioned under this agreement is to expand the harbor basin, and do a mixed-use development project
<br /> around the new harbor including commercial, hotel, timeshare, and marina-related industrial activities,
<br /> as well as community and open space.
<br />
<br /> Designating these DLNR lands as Urban Expansion Area is consistent with the land use designation of
<br /> adjacent lands, specifically the 200-acre parcel under the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands which is
<br /> already designated Urban Expansion Area.
<br />
<br /> The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) decided to issue a commercial lease for this 200-
<br /> acre parcel, to generate revenues to support DHHL residential development programs elsewhere. There
<br /> is a large DHHL residential project located mauka in Kealakehe ahupua'a, at the Villages of La'i'opua.
<br /> Under the commercial lease with a Jacoby Development, Inc. partnership for these 200 acres, the mixed-
<br /> use commercial development project included retail, hotel, timeshare, commercial, industrial, golf
<br /> course, community and open space.
<br />
<br /> These two state agencies have agreed to have Jacoby master plan the adjacent parcels, This
<br /> development, called Kona Kai Ola, is being designed to support the necessary financing of the
<br /> substantial public infrastructure that is part of the project, including the new harbor, the connector road
<br /> to Kailua Village, improved water and sewer systems, as well as other community infrastructure
<br /> including a major shoreline park, cycling and walking paths, community areas and cultural parks within
<br /> the development project, itself.
<br /> This harbor-front commercial village seeks to provide a stable employment base close to residential
<br /> growth areas planned for Kona. While hotel and timeshares are included under the agreements with
<br /> DHHL and DLNR, permanent housing on these lease lands is specifically prohibited under the
<br /> agreements. The worker housing that will be required of the project could potentially be developed
<br /> mauka in the same or adjacent ahupua'a, and connected by a shuttle service to the makai lands. In this
<br /> way, Kona Kai Ola hopes to create a sustainable ahupua'a, where people can live, work, play and learn.
<br />
<br /> Using smart growth design principles, this collaborative project of DHHL, DLNR and Jacoby
<br /> Development, Inc. intends to create a community-friendly place for residents and visitors alike, that uses
<br /> the best in transportation planning, environmentally-sensitive and energy-efficient design.
<br />
<br /> Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Bill 309, Amendment E-4. Gomm. No. Qr_ ` 44. Q
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<br /> Tarnas testimony on Bill 309 Ref. Uot,yL AUG 21
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