2022-04-07 Windward Exh A (Item 1 Holcomb PL-SMA-2021-007)

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KIMBALL: All right, thank you Chair Au and thank you members of the kin for the opportunity to offer comments today on the SMA permit before you on the agenda. I just wanted to come in today to just offer some context and comments with the regard to the decision you will be making. Particularly with regard to public access. As you may know, on the Hamakua Coast there's been a significant loss of public access to the ocean. This includes the closure of Kole Kole Park, Hakalau, now Waipio and they've always been problems with access in other areas, such as Pepe`ekeo where there are easements granted and yet they're unmaintained. I understand that this parcel does have a trail that has been typically used by the fishing community in the area and it is also my understanding that the owners of the property are willing to maintain that access for the fishermen. And I applaud the landowner for that I think it's really critical, especially in these times, where food prices, gas prices are so high that we keep this opportunity to basically these folks' icebox. To go out and get food for their families and promote sustainability. So, well, I want to make sure that we can continue to maintain this access for the fishermen who have typically use this area. I do have concerns about just it being open to the public at large. Particularly concerns about visitors who may not have any familiarity with the area or the dangers of being close to a shoreline such as exists at this property. So, one suggestion I might have. I was just recently at a Kamehameha Schools (KS)property that is leased to a nonprofit and the arrangement they have is that there's an organization of folks (fishermen)that agree to a set of rules to accessing the site. They have a text stream where they shared the code to the gate every time it changed, and people are able to be sponsored to be brought in to be part of the group as well. The fishermen can bring a guest. It seems to be working out really, really well so it's maintaining that access for the local folks, the fishermen, but it is restricting just wide general access. So, as you deliberate today, I really appreciate your consideration about maintaining this important access for the local folks and fishermen who typically use this space. But also encourage you to consider public safety issues in terms of maintaining it as an open access for the general public at large. Thank you Chair. AU: Thank you Councilwoman. Does any Commissioners have any questions for the testifier? Okay, no questions. Okay, well, thank you Miss Kimball for your time and thank you for all your work. KIMBALL: Thank you, I won't be able to stay on, but I appreciate the opportunity to testify, thank you. AU: Thank you. The item ended at 9:11 a.m. 2 EXHIBIT A