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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: July 18, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 766 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 11:15 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Comm. No. 766, reports as follows: <br /> Communication No. 766 from Mayor Billy Kenoi, dated June 15, 2012, nominates <br /> Mr. Hiram Rivera to a four-year term on the Kona Community Development Plan Action <br /> Committee (KCDPAC). Mr. Rivera, a lifelong resident of Hawai`i County, resides in North Kona <br /> with his wife and family. He is a lineal descendent of the ahupua'a of Kahalu'u, and his family's <br /> heritage extends over 200 years on the Island of Hawai`i. Mr. Rivera was raised on a Kona coffee <br /> and macadamia nut farm, graduated from Konawaena High School, and is past president of the <br /> Lions Club. He is the owner of a site construction company locally based in Kona. Mr. Rivera's <br /> local knowledge of Kailua's past and present development will assist the Action Committee in <br /> determining its future. <br /> Nominee Hiram Rivera was present at the West Hawai`i Civic Center and stated that he is in the <br /> construction business, is a Native Hawaiian, and his family has lineal heritage in the area. He <br /> further stated that it is unfair to classify nominees by occupation and that he supports smart growth <br /> as he has seen firsthand how fast Kailua-Kona has grown. <br /> Committee Member Pilago stated that it was good to see a Native Hawaiian nominee and thanked <br /> Mr. Rivera for volunteering. He also stated that he is concerned that the Mayor continues to bring <br /> forward more nominees with development and construction interests. <br /> Committee Member Onishi clarified the duties of the KCDPAC as only an advisory one to the <br /> Planning Department, and that the Planning Department does not have sufficient funds to hire <br /> additional staff and engineers as suggested in the Kona Community Development Plan (KCDP). <br /> He further stated that Mr. Rivera was born and raised here and as an individual wants to protect the <br /> area from uncontrolled growth. <br /> Committee Member Pilago stated that the screening process is flawed as the nominees do not <br /> understand or have experience with the KCDP, and the process should be complete before the <br /> nominees are brought in front of this Committee. <br /> Committee Member Yagong verified that the nominee had experience with the Burial Council. <br /> PC Rept. No.: 57 <br />