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The hotel would also support the needs of business and government travelers who come to Kona <br />on business. Future projects at KOA will increase these needs, for example the Aircraft Rescue <br />and Firefighting (ARFF) Regional Training Center. This 80 -acre campus, to be located at KOA, <br />will provide emergency training for firefighters from across the state, and from all sectors (not <br />only ARFF). <br />KOA faces unique challenges as an open-air airport. The traveling public is vulnerable to events <br />such as lightning, ash fall, tsunamis, hurricanes etc., all of which have threatened in recent years. <br />A hotel would provide more covered space for stranded passengers and employees. Also, we are <br />targeting a hotel size of 150 rooms, which would accommodate a typical flight size in the event <br />of a cancellation. <br />The hotel will be a tremendous benefit to the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at <br />Keahole, and to the traveling public and community. We propose allowing a hotel as an <br />accessory use of the County of Hawai`i Zoning Code. The hotel would still be subject to RFP <br />requirements of HRS 102, and subject to approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />