2021-05-20 Leeward Exh C (Public Testimony re SLU 21-056 REZ 21-246)

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The first is the preservation of the archaeological sites on the property. These sites are pre- contact and very important for cultural and historic reasons. There is already a preservation plan in place, as well as a letter from the SHPD from April 2017 that confirms the acceptance of the plan and its stipulations. I also believe the first three requirements of the preservation plan have been violated. It also says the landowner, current and future, is responsible for the preservation measures. It is the desire of our community to see that these archaeological sites are preserved properly and in perpetuity. The second concern that I have is for the safety of our community. The exit of the proposed subdivision lets out into a cul-de-sac ten feet away,parallel to, and down a hill to an existing road that services multiple houses. They're very close, the roads are, and there's a blind spot at the end where it meets Ihumoe Street. We, as a community, would like conditions put in place for a fence between the roads on the southern boundary of the property, as well as a stop sign and convex mirror where their subdivision road meets Ihumoe Street. The Wards have agreed to the safety measures referenced by the email on May 12; however, I received a call from John Pipan and was told that we would have the traffic safety measures if, and only if, I agreed to pull my testimony and support their project. I sent him an email afterward that the Commission has a copy of and received a response stating, "I was simply asking for your support."I'd like to be clear, when someone says, "we will only do this if and only you do this,"namely, pulling my testimony in support of their, and supporting their project, I felt that it was bullying, and I felt threatened. That was not pono, and not, "simply asking for support."I won't compromise my morals for either my community's safety or our history and culture. I don't think anyone should have to. You can't hold one hostage for the other. They are two separate issues. That being said, I'd like to thank the Commission for hearing my testimony and those of our community. Mahalo so much for your time, and your patience, and your consideration. VITOUSEK: Mahalo. J. FUNAKOSHL Mahalo. VITOUSEK: Commissioners, are there, are there any questions of Ms. Funakoshi? [None.] Okay, seeing none, moving on to Erik Funakoshi. E. FUNAKOSHL Hi, how's it going? VITOUSEK: Aloha. Please state your name and town that you live in. E. FUNAKOSHL Hello, I'm Erik Funakoshi, I live in Kailua-Kona, and I oppose the rezoning of the Ward property from Ag to Residential, items 3 and 4. I'm a firefighter and I live on the bordering property. The access to this lot is through Kona Acres subdivision and is in line with it from mauka to makai, which have been Ag lots for more than 40 years. These Ag lots allot for smaller scale farms and diversified crops. There was a statement that the soil on this lot is of poor quality not suited for agriculture. Please come by, take a look at our yard, you can take a look and tell me that agriculture can't be performed here. 2 EXHIBIT C