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75-5737 KusldiY Hwy. Sate 208 <br /> Ntia-Kwu. H1967~0 <br /> per! r~ PIrore: 808-3231758 Fea:8I18.324.85fii <br /> iR~ ,rwn.kdmamh>Va.ean !a~]yeoe~exetiet <br /> <br /> July 20, 2007 <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Pete Hoffmann, Chair <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Re Bill 51 Draft 5; Proposed Amendment to Chapter 27 of the HCC <br /> Deaz Chairman Hoffmann and Members of the County Council, <br /> This testimony is on behalf of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. The Kona-Kohala <br /> Chamber of Commerce ([QCCC) represents neazly 750 business and individual members and is <br /> the leading business advocacy organization on the west side of the Hawaz i Island. <br /> KKCC has testified on this Bi11 on four previous occasions and thus our position is well known. <br /> While the various drafts have modified the document, the intent has nat changed and thus our <br /> previous testimony remains valid. <br /> Today we wish to make just two points: <br /> 1. At the Council hearing on July 10~ it was proposed the Council go back to the original <br /> Administration Sill drafted and move forward with approval so the County is brought <br /> up to date and in compliance with NFIP requirements. <br /> We believe this proposal makes sense and should be enacted as quickly as possible. We <br /> do not accept the counter point to this direction, i.e. that this may allow the impetus to <br /> improve Flood Control and Flood Plain management to be lost since it is quite apparent <br /> that this Council is made up of a group of very concerned citizens who will simply not <br /> allow this to happen. This Chamber certainly supports their concerns and wtill support <br /> their future efforts. <br /> 2. Our real concern with the excellent efforts made by individuals on the Council and their <br /> staff, and from the public input seen at the hearings on this Bill, is that the direction is <br /> obviously right and has public support but the system used to arrive at the present <br /> position has not been effective and does not have public support. We go back to our <br /> previously stated position that such a Bill and change in legislation may well be <br /> prooased by the Council but the proposed legislative changes should be made by <br /> qualified people within the Administration, supported as aecessary by outside <br /> professionals and other experienced and qualified resources, (NRCS et at? which should <br /> then go to the Council for approval and modification if necessary. This way there will tre <br /> a reasoned debate regarding changes, as opposed to what has amounted to "ambit <br /> bargaining" which has taken place and which is a most ineffective and time consuming <br /> way of arriving at a result that is quite unlikely to solve any problems or to be best for <br /> the community. ~ ~ , i/ <br /> Comm, No. ~ `r <br /> Ref. Tor~_._i~ / <br /> Ref. Uate-JU_C, 2 5 2flQ7 <br /> <br />