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Page 2 of 4 <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> June 29, 2007 Contact: Kay Kolt <br /> 808.960.8399 <br /> - cellulaz <br /> Kav4ko na(a~yah oo. com <br /> MEMBERS OF THE KONA BOARD OF REALTORS SPEAK OUT FOR SMART <br /> GROWTH, <br /> STAND BEHIND SEA MOUNTAIN FIVE PROPOSAL TO REDEVELOP <br /> PUNALU`U <br /> Kona, Hawaii -Some members of the Kona Board of Realtors today announced they are in favor of the proposed <br /> development by Sea Mountain Five at Punalu`u, and against Resolution 169-07 put forth by Council Member Bob <br /> Jacobson as they are concerned about promoting smart growth. <br /> "As Realtors, we have to protect the rights of real property owners," said Shazly Ward, member of the Kona <br /> Board of Realtors. "This azea is already zoned for 2,800 units of development, and the developer is offering a <br /> much less dense plan in keeping with what the community wants. We should all support this collaborative plan. In <br /> addition, I remember what Punalu`u was like in the late 1970s. Beautiful -areal jewel. This development would <br /> bring back that brightness in a balanced way that would protect the environment and culture, and provide new <br /> <br /> jobs and opportunities for the people." <br /> "We support the idea of smart growth, which in essence this development adheres to," said Kay Kolt, who sits on <br /> the Board of Directors for the Kona Boazd of Realtors. "By providingjobs for the residents of Ka`u, this will <br /> decrease traffic throughout the island, and provide a better quality of life for both those in Ka`u and in Kona." <br /> Smart growth is a movement in the planning profession that is in some ways very common sense. It works to <br /> create communities that reflect many past values. Elements of smazt growth include: <br /> 1. An emphasis on pedestrian-friendly designs and connectivity of streets so people can easily get to their <br /> destination without taking circuitous paths. <br /> 2. Pedestrian/human scale of development. <br /> 3. The creation of a community, not a simple subdivision so that support services like convenience stores, <br /> medical offices, public services and other community support services are located neazby, preferably within <br /> walking distance which is usually defined as a quarter-mile radius. <br /> 4. Home designs that create a neighborly atmosphere <br /> 5. Building with nature, not against it. Avoiding excessive cuts and fill, heavy mitigation needs like big walls <br /> and revetments, hazard-prone areas like flood plains, steep slopes, fault zones etc. <br /> 6. Plant with native vegetation to reduce excessive care and use of irrigation. <br /> 7. Cluster development to enhance community interaction and reduce the cost of infrastructure that is typical of a <br /> sprawl development. <br /> 6/29/2007 <br /> <br />