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Page 1 of 2 <br /> Murashige, Laura <br /> From: Jeanne Ryan [jeannelouiseryan@yahoo.com] <br /> Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 10:29 PM <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Subject: VOTE YES on Resolution 21-071 <br /> -n <br /> r~^. <br /> <br /> Testimony from Jeanne Ryan regarding Resolution 21-07 ~ ~ ~ <br /> _ . ay <br /> Street address: <br /> <br /> 310 B Ululani Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Mailing_address: _ <br /> PO Box 10094 <br /> Hilo, HI 96721 <br /> Phone:808-969-3103 <br /> Dear County Council members: <br /> I am writing to testify regarding Resolution 21-07. I urge the County Council to vote in favor of sending this <br /> resolution to the county planning commission for review. <br /> I am deeply concerned about the negative impacts supercenters would have on the Big Island's economy and <br /> environment. <br /> Limiting supercenter stores on the Big Island would not prevent COSTCO I Wal-Mart / K-Mart from continuing to <br /> do business or open new stores. It would prevent the negative impacts that supercenter stores with large <br /> groceries bring to communities. <br /> Numerous studies show that big-box stores with large grocery sections create many problems for the <br /> communities where they are developed. Such stores can start a destructive domino effect. Often, they force <br /> other grocery stores out of business; shops that are located in the same shopping area then go under as well. <br /> This causes blight and -rather than increasing competition -eliminates consumer choices. In addition to the <br /> economic loss that results, the loss of shopping choices can be particularly devastating to community members, <br /> such as the elderly and less fortunate, who rely on stores nearby them for food. <br /> In addition, supercenter development would be a step back in terms of supporting a sustainable island economy. <br /> A focus for all of Hawaii is supporting industries that both enhance residents' ability to find better-paying jobs and <br /> mitigate against the tenuous position of being overly reliant on tourism or off-island products, such as food. <br /> Support of sustainable development is essential for us to have a healthy local economy that can provide residents <br /> with a decent quality of life and keep the island somewhat insulated from catastrophic economic events that could <br /> threaten tourism or cause a drastic increase in off-island prices. <br /> Unlimited development of non-local superstores will not foster businesses that offer meaningful job opportunities. <br /> Unlimited development of such stores will also make us more dependent than ever on off-island food products. in <br /> particular, I am concerned about how such development would affect our island food producers, who are vital for <br /> sustainability. <br /> Finally, beyond economic issues, supercenters erase the identity of a community. I do not want the Big Island's <br /> unique culture to be replaced by generic box stores. <br /> I urge the planning committee to forward Resolution 21-07 for further review. I hope the county will take the time <br /> to fully explore the impacts of supercenters; there is a great deal of information available that clearly shows the <br /> extensive negative effect they have on communities. We need careful, proactive planning to guide development <br /> that will support our island and the people that live here. rz Z Zb <br /> Comm. No._7 <br /> Ref. To: Pr : Z <br /> 2/6/2007 Ref. Date <br /> <br />