2020-11-19 Leeward Exh A (Public Testimony re AMEND REZ 05-010 & AMEND REZ 09-094)

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opportunities of safe harborage. Similar to how we are asking our residents, our government, and our businesses to pivot for survival, so too, must Palamanui developers pivot. This is the dichotomy that is confronting the principles of the Palamanui project who are seeking to steer out of the economic storm and find safe passage to allow this well-planned project to advance. The amendments before you seek relief by allowing the project to phase in, develop 10 of the 20- acre regional park, and defer the building of the connector road until 900 units have been built. It is important as we weigh this to recognize that nearly 22 million dollars has already been expended to develop Hawaii Community College Palamanui, the Ane Kehokalole Highway, and other needed infrastructure. It is also important to recognize that Palamanui has no intention to walk away from fulfilling what they have committed to, but rather seeks resequencing, a pivot if you will, to the critical path of work and defer the nearly 65 million dollars necessary to front- load the road conditions, and rather, start with building the community around Hawaii Community College Palamanui, which is critically important to sustainability, economic viability, education, training, workforce development, an opportunity for both present and future generations. I humbly request that you consider our tradition of wayfinding, and the importance of plotting and adjusting our course for changing conditions. Please support Palamanui's wayfinding to adjust for current conditions and allow them to set an alternate course for safe passage to our destination to reset, rebuild, and recover our economy. Mahalo. CARR SMITH: Thank you, Jacqui, for your testimony. Appreciate it. Najha, you're up next. Please go ahead. RAY: Thank you. I'm testifying as a private citizen. Aloha Nancy, and members of the Leeward Planning Commission, my name is Najha Ray and I am a life-long resident of Hawaii Island. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today to express my support for Palamanui. I've reviewed the amendments sought by Palalmanui and believe that they are not intended to retreat from commitments made, but rather reflect the economic times we are in and allow the developer to phase work and build the community around the Hawaii Community College at Palamanui. This will provide direct support to, and help the college become an important anchor institution in North Kona and provide needed housing, infrastructure, and socio-economic benefits. As our island works towards recovery from the severe economic downturn and societal disruption caused by the pandemic, it is important that we work collaboratively to bring long-term benefits to our island and, I believe, this is what Palamanui is offering. In closing, I ask that you please support Palamanui's amendment request. Mahalo. CARR SMITH: Thank you Najha, for your testimony. Aright, Jessica Thompson. THOMPSON: Good morning, my name is Jess Thompson and I'm the executive director of PATH - - - for trails Hawaii. We're a 30-year-old Hawaii County-based non-profit, and our mission is to safely connect people and places on Hawaii Island with pathways and bikeways. Over the course of the past decade, Hawaii County has become a leader in being champions for safer, climate friendly, people-focused transportation projects and policies. Just this past week we are happy to celebrate the County Council unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the visions through an action plan and the street design manual based on complete street principles will go for a vote before Hawaii County Council shortly. Which is why PATH is so happy to be with you today. We support Palamanui's revised master plan because it will be a walkable, 3 EXHIBIT A