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Page 1 of 2 Victorine, Valerie From: Council Testimony [counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us] Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 9:40 AM To: Victorine, Valerie Subject: FW: Bill 151 Attachments: Erosion @ Pualani.JPG; Landslid of manmaid hills.JPG; Rock dirt erosion.JPG; RocKersion after rain.JPG - - -r - From: parjiana razavi [mailto:parj@earthlink.net] Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 10:45 PM To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Bill 151 Aloha, My name is Ana and I live in Pualani Estates in Kona. I support bill 151 because of flooding and land erosion caused by heavy rain and manmade hills of Hualalai where our homes are built on. I have tried hard to be heard by county, Mayor, PW and got brushed off each time. The monster lots in our subd. requires a much serious consideration by the county when they issue permit for this kind of big development on hills of a volcanic mountain with manmade hills of these magnitude. I strongly believe that the increase of foundation in bill 151 is not even enough when our homes are built on some times 80 feet drop from adjacent lot. I believe that county has to require these developers to educate and disclose to the buyers about the danger of flash water, flooding and land erosion they can face before they purchase these kind of homes. I strongly believe that county has to require safeguarding of these kind homes by making developers build safety retaining walls round these lots and reject acceptance of ey-Laws that prevent homeowners from building safety walls to protect their homes and lives. As right now we have to fight with our board and get sued by them because we want to protect our lives and assets which should have been taken care of by the county first and developers later. County is obligated to do their best to protect lives of residents and in our case, they totally failed. I might have been flagged by county, mayor and developer as ECD or crazy person trying to scare people, since no one wanted to listen to me except Senator Akaka's office. If this is the case, Then those at FEMA and NFIP which sent me literature stating with red, yellow and white colors:" WARNING: Everyone is at risk" with pictures of flooded homes must be nuts cases. I studied the AIA literature to Mayor Kim and listened to their arguments. It sounded as if the poor and disables should not have access to safer homes since it would cost them around $16,000.00 to elevate their foundations with another 6" but does who have money, can afford it and if we get flooding, the wealthy can fly away, as they did in Katrina's, but the poor and disable won't have a chance. How about for a change get creative and come up with solutions like subsidies for the un wealthy and unable citizens through property tax relieves or any other way with long term, low interest rate that they can live a little, 6", higher above the ground and protect their lives and asset better? It's like saying, you're poor and disable therefore we don't care if you live or die since it has not happened yet why should we make deep pocket developers pay for your convenience? Is that how we call us responsible citizen with ALOHA spirit??? How about giving the option of raising 6" or not, to people but educate them about the possible risks they can face, the help they can get from the county for the costs and that they would not be eligible for flood insurance if they do not raise their homes and see what happens. We can try this on those areas that councils are concerned and give it a chance, if the other council menlwoman want to try it, there is a base instead of killing the bill. AIA is also commenting that the existing measures are good enough, this raises the question that if it is so - then why do we have this much argue about it??? Comm. N . Jr~T $ •.3 D Ref. To: Rof. Dote 007 11 /5/2007