2003-01-17 thilton - Laserfiche WebLink

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KALEIKINI:I submitted it. GALDONES:Okay. Is there any more that you wish to say? KALEIKINI:Pretty much, you know, actually I wrote this statement, so I think I kind of want to read it. GALDONES:Okay. KALEIKINI:Let me see. My statement says that, you know: I was born and raised in Kau`eleau, `Opihikao when it was considered more remote than Kalapana. As a child I experienced just as you did when once you were young. No county water lines, no electricity, the nearest town about 10 miles away. Life was hard, but rewarding in its Ðsimplicity.Ñ I have seen how Lower Puna has changed in just some 30-odd years. I feel as a Puna native that development in the name of progress has had its consequences. Consequences that I now live with change. The increase in traffic, the high crime rate, all that can be attributed to Ðpoor planningÑ in development. As I travel to and from work every day, I come to wonder how could the past Planning Commissions approve such major, for example, subdivisions without clearly considering the future impacts? Not only do I see Lower Puna in its ÐpristineÑ form, but that of what a Honolulu newspaper article dubbed ÐThe Wild West.Ñ Now I ask you this, can you knowingly allow the beginning to the end of Kau`eleau, `Opihikao, in its current pristine form? You know, can you take a look around you and ask yourselves is this the legacy I choose to leave my mo`opuna? Or do I leave a legacy of consequences for the mighty dollar? This I can profess to, for once I was mo`opuna, but now I am makua, who now lives with the consequences of Ðpoor decisions.Ñ I would humbly ask this Planning Commission Board and its Planning Director to disallow Mr. Hilton to build this so-called Ðurban retreat,Ñ and for Mr. Hilton to reconsider his plans for development. But that, the Applicant has already stated their change in plans. My final point is this: Progress means change. Progress means change, change if not checked and balanced, will lead to unfortunate consequences for GALDONES:Thank you. Commissioners, any questions of the testifier? Hearing none, Ruth. State your name, resident address, and you ELIA:My name is Ruth Luka Elia. I'm from Phoa, Post Office Box 226. I live in Tangerine Acres. 6