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.•- •-rt os„� Roy Takemoto <br /> �� Managing Director <br /> • <br /> Harry Kim ; ••t. -;,1i* <br /> t la_vor --Z-"�'� <br /> .f • MO'-.41% Barbara J. Kossow <br /> ATE OF MO''� .:' I Deputy Managing Director <br /> County of Hawai`i <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 10, 2020 <br /> Representative Ryan I. Yamane, Chair <br /> Representative Chris Todd, Vice Chair <br /> Committee on Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs <br /> Dear Chair Yamane, Vice Chair Todd, and Committee Members: <br /> RE: HB 2578 Relating to Public Lands <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to comment on HB 2578, as it would impact the Waiakea <br /> Peninsula in Hilo, Hawaii. <br /> We support any legislation that will help the revitalization of Banyan Drive and the rest of the <br /> Waiakea Peninsula. Virtually everyone familiar with this area agrees that it is underutilized and in <br /> disrepair. It is the center of tourism in East Hawaii, but it is a jewel that is quite tarnished at the <br /> present time. <br /> Hawaii County has taken first steps toward revitalizing the peninsula, including the creation of <br /> the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA); and a conceptual master plan has been <br /> created as a starting point. But funds are needed to conduct the environmental impact statements <br /> necessary to complete the redevelopment plan and move forward, and those monies are not <br /> available. <br /> Under HB 2578, DLNR would create a new planning committee to oversee Banyan Drive and <br /> would require that BDHRA be disbanded. This might mean going back to square one, but the <br /> tradeoff is that the bill presumably will provide meaningful funding using current DLNR revenues. <br /> Although we may not agree with all provisions of HB 2578, we support a measure that directs <br /> resources, both statutory and financial, toward the redevelopment of Banyan Drive while providing <br /> some local perspective in decision-making. <br /> Therefore, we ask that you act favorably on HB 2578, so that a resolution can be hammered <br /> out in conference. <br /> Resp ctfully Submitted, <br /> L 2_7/ <br /> Harry Kim <br /> MAYOR <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />