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Page 4 of 4 <br /> Others remember what Punalu`u once was, and believe the Sea Mountain Five proposal will return the area to a <br /> thriving community. <br /> "I remember Ka`u in the 1970s, it was a great example of a small agricultural community where everyone had a <br /> <br /> job, and everyone had time to spend with their family," said Ken Hughes, Kona Boazd of Realtors member. "The <br /> <br /> jobs were from the sugar industry and now they aze gone. Awell-planned resort will providejobs and clean up <br /> and preserve one of the island's great places. This is a great chance for the district of Ka`u to become more <br /> beneficial to those who live there." <br /> Other Kona Board of Realtors members question who will pay for the failing infrastructure that currently serves <br /> 100 residences in Punalu`u. <br /> "The sewer system is rated `marginally adequate'. The water system is ancient and failing. Who will pay to <br /> replace these systems?" said Kolt. "Why not work with the developer to redevelop the decaying infrastructure <br /> and revitalize the rotting buildings that are currently there, falling apart?" <br /> "I went to Punalu`u recently and the natural beauty stole my heart," Kolt continued. "Then I went to the ladies <br /> room and it is just filthy. The county is taking caze of it now. What does this say about the future of Punalu`u if <br /> the County purchases the 150 acres?" <br /> Sea Mountain Five Partners hopes to redevelop a 433-acre parcel of land in Punalu`u, which would revitalize the <br /> Ka`u economy and protect the environment. The development is anticipated to create 517 new jobs in Ka`u, as <br /> well as $735 million in economic input and $342 million in new household income. Sea Mountain Five is <br /> partnering with world-renowned ocean explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean <br /> Futures Society, to create marine and land protection programs as well as educational opportunities for the <br /> children of Ka`u. The developer also is offering a community benefits package to support the hospital, schools <br /> and other local institutions or community groups, providing millions of dollars to the area over the life of the <br /> project. <br /> Kay Kolt <br /> 808-960-8399 <br /> www.kay4kona.com <br /> The fish aze biting. <br /> Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing. <br /> 6/29/2007 <br /> <br />