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Page 3 of 4 <br /> "As a resident of Ka`u, and a strong proponent of smart growth, I know this redevelopment will bring a balance of <br /> <br /> jobs and development which is desperately needed -without this plan, Ka`u will become afifth-world country," <br /> said Rollie Litteral, who sits on the Board of Directors for the Kona Board of Realtors and is the group's smart <br /> growth expert. "There aze no jobs here, nothing to keep anyone. People must drive hours to get to Kona or Hilo <br /> for work, necessities. This plan provides amixed-use community, self sufficient so that the sidewalks azen't rolled <br /> up at 5 p.m., which in tum encourages the use of drugs and alcohol. I see arguments for both sides, but I believe <br /> this proposal for redevelopment addresses the community concerns while providing a future for all who live in <br /> Ka`u." <br /> Others commend the Sea Mountain Five redevelopment plan as one that will achieve what the residents want, <br /> through private funds. <br /> "Everyone recognizes the importance of preserving the historical and ecological-sensitive areas. I have spoken <br /> with the developer and know they are committed to protecting these things that make Punalu`u so special," said <br /> Jackie Parkinson, Ka`u resident and Kona Board of Realtors member. "I also support this plan because I believe <br /> that a mix of cultural, residential and commercial is the best way for any place to grow, so people don't have to <br /> get on the highway and drive 40 miles back and forth for their means. I feel very strongly about this; it's <br /> distressing to watch the stalemate that is going on. If you compaze what both Ka`u Preservation and O Ka`u <br /> Kakou are trying to do, everyone has the same vision. It's a matter of balancing the public and private needs and <br /> funds to achieve the same goal. The Sea Mountain Five plan does this." <br /> "Finally, the golf course is a perfect example of what is happening in Ka`u. We used to go there for fun on <br /> Sundays -even friends from as far away as Hilo would come down to this gathering place. Over time, it's <br /> disintegrated... the Club House was eaten away by termites. The course is losing its luster. That is what is <br /> happening to Punalu`u. This area is a faltering development that needs to be redeveloped to incorporate smazt <br /> growth principals to reach its full potential. I believe the Sea Mountain Five plan will do that." <br /> Kona Boazd of Realtors Vice President Ed Lewis points to the growth that is currently occurring in Na`alehu as a <br /> predictor of the future. <br /> "Arbitrarily conserving 150 acres of land will do nothing to help manage the growth that is inevitable, and <br /> currently is happening right now in this area," he said. "To capture more land, put it in conservation, and let it <br /> waste away where development had initially been authorized and approved doesn't make sense. Na`alehu is <br /> starting to grow, but it's not being done smartly. There is not the mixed-use component in place to match the <br /> population - it is out of balance. The construction for the residential units is creating jobs right now, but that's <br /> short-term and not sustainable over time for the families who live there. By creating a modest resort at Punalu`u <br /> as Sea Mountain Five proposes, with restaurants and shops and a rehabilitated golf course, this will act as an <br /> economic driver to provide local residents with jobs, so the people of Ka`u are not driving all over the island to <br /> feed their family." <br /> 6/29/2007 <br /> <br />