COM 0964.085 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 24, 2006 Honorable Stacy Higa, Chair Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo. Hawaii 96720 Subject: Support for Bill 309, proposing changes to the Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide Map E4 from Open to Urban Expansion for the lands surrounding Honokohau. Dear Chair Higa and members of the Hawaii County Council: #1: 1 have lived in Kona for over 40 years and have been actively involved in our community. I have served on the executive board of the Hawaii Visitor's and Convention Bureau. I am past president of the Big Island Visitors Bureau, past state chair of the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association, and past director of the Hawaii Island United Way. I am a 30-year participant in the Hawaiian International billfish tournament and presently serve as its president. I am a member and past president of the Lions Club of Kona, past district chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, and a past member of the West Hawaii Fish Council. I worked at Kona Village Resort for 38 years, retiring from my position as General Manager of the resort in November 2004. # 2: Our Kona community has needed and wanted the harbor to be expanded and its facilities upgraded for a long time. As a former manager of charter boat operations for Kona Village Resort and as the president of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, I know of the acute shortage of mooring slips at the present Honokohau Harbor. The list to obtain a slip is long, and people are discouraged from even applying for one, often feeling that it is a hopeless pursuit. Many boats are presently moored in open waters, such as Kailua Bay, and are at great risk during storms. The additional moorings created within a marina would allow these boats to be accommodated within a safe area. When I first arrived on this island the population was in decline. Our graduating high school seniors were leaving the island to further their educations and to take advantage of the better job opportunities elsewhere. Our roads were poor, but very little used. Our old hospital did its best but lacked in so many areas that if you were seriously ill you went to Hilo or Honolulu. I know the area of Honokohau well. From 1966 to 1969 1 flew to work at Kona Village almost every day from the old Kona airport. There was no access to Kona Village except by plane or boat. The coast at that time was desolate and rarely visited by locals or tourists. Queen Kaahumanu Highway had yet to be built. Today we have seen the result of our growth, both good and not so good. We have more and better roads, although not enough to handle today's traffic. If bill number 309 moves forward and Jacoby develops the new harbor, they have promised a new road to Kailua-Kona. The opening of Queen Kaahumanu Highway provided access to the coastline between Kailua-Kona and Puako where none existed before. New state and county parks have