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50Wt or„ � Roy Takemoto Managmc Ibriitur Harry Kim •i :•I thnor �}:.`„r ;�:�'�•� Barbara.1. Kossow �>�os•w+'� l �punI1uiiLurg lhrrwur County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street. Suite 2603 • Hilo. Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 Fax(808)961-6553 KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy Bldg C • Kailua-Kona. Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 . Fax(808)323-4440 February 10, 2020 Representative Ryan I. Yamane, Chair Representative Chris Todd, Vice Chair Committee on Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs Dear Chair Yamane. Vice Chair Todd. and Committee Members. RE: HB 2578 Relating to Public Lands Thank you for this opportunity to comment on HB 2578, as it would impact the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo, Hawaii. We support any legislation that will help the revitalization of Banyan Drive and the rest of the Waiakea Peninsula. Virtually everyone familiar with this area agrees that it is underutilized and in disrepair. It is the center of tourism in East Hawaii, but it is a jewel that is quite tarnished at the present time. Hawaii County has taken first steps toward revitalizing the peninsula, including the creation of the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA); and a conceptual master plan has been created as a starting point. But funds are needed to conduct the environmental impact statements necessary to complete the redevelopment plan and move forward, and those monies are not available. Under HB 2578. DLNR would create a new planning committee to oversee Banyan Drive and would require that BDHRA be disbanded. This might mean going back to square one, but the tradeoff is that the bill presumably will provide meaningful funding using current DLNR revenues. Although we may not agree with all provisions of HB 2578, we support a measure that directs resources. both statutory and financial, toward the redevelopment of Banyan Drive while providing some local perspective in decision-making Therefore, we ask that you act favorably on HB 2578, so that a resolution can be hammered out in conference. Resp ctfully Submitted, Harry Kim MAYOR County of Ha-.kai-i is an Equal Opportunity ProN ider and Employer.