2019-11-06 Letter to Bob Wessels re EIS for Town of Aina Le'a

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Mr. Bob Wessels Aina Le'a, Inc. November 6, 2019 Page 2 Preparation Notice had described a project on approximately 3,000 acres of property. o Aina Lea, Inc.'s predecessor in interest acquired the 1,092 acres of property in 2009, but had a joint development agreement with the prior owner for the full 3,000 acres of property which allowed for those parties to cooperate in developing infrastructure to be used by the full 3,000 acres of property. o The projects covered by the 2007 EIS Preparation Notice, the 2010 EIS, and the Joint Development Agreement all proposed an action which triggers environmental review under Hawaii law: the development or construction of a wastewater treatment unit serving more than fifty single-family dwellings. o I understand that the Lulana Gardens project also presently proposes the development or construction of a wastewater treatment unit serving more than fifty single-family dwellings. • The Planning Department's efforts: Contrary to what was stated at our meeting, the Planning Department has conferred via telephone and in-person to meet with agents, consultants, and/or representatives of Aina Lea Inc. and its predecessors on numerous occasions. Planning Department files reveal nine (9) letters that the Planning Department has written to Aina Lea in this regard from 2015 to 2019. According to the Planning Department, as articulated to Aina Lea in its letter to Dennis M. Lombardi, Esq., dated March 5, 2019, the clearest and most efficient way for Aina Lea, Inc. to proceed with its project (or any phase of the project) is to complete the environmental review process according to law given the length of time which has passed between publication of the EIS Preparation Notice for a project on 3,000 acres in 2007, and the ensuing changes in scope and intensity of the proposed project on 1,092 acres as contemplated in 2010. I encourage Aina Lea, Inc. to work with the Planning Department to produce a final EIS which the Planning Department can legally accept in order to allow the Lulana Gardens project to proceed and help provide our citizens with more affordable housing options. Sime el Harry Kim MAYOR County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.