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December 27, 2022 <br />To: Michael Vitousek, Chair <br />Leeward Planning Commission <br />From: Growth Management Group <br />North Kohala Community Development Plan <br />Subject: Ahu Pohaku Ho'omaluhia LLC Amendments to PL -SMA 2022-000018 and <br />SPL -SPP 2022-000018 for TMK 5-4-009:014, North Kohala <br />Aloha Chair Vitousek and Commissioners, <br />The Growth Management Group of the North Kohala Community Development Plan <br />Advisory Group discussed the above items 1 and 2 on your agenda at its monthly <br />meeting December 14, 2022. Ms Jean Sunderland and her representative attended <br />the meeting to explain the intent to expand the number of units available at the <br />Hawaii Island Retreat. She explained that all existing structures are covered by <br />county permits. The new hale units will be within the 5 -acre allocation for the <br />existing SPP and SMA. They will be scattered among two existing clusters of trees <br />and therefore not obtrusive. The retreat currently employs 12 full-time employees <br />and three paid agricultural interns. The Public Access Grant of Easement for vehicle <br />and pedestrian use was recorded in 2009 and includes an adjoining coastal <br />property. <br />The finding of the group is that the amended SMA and SPP will benefit the <br />community in creating additional jobs, reflect the district's agricultural nature, and <br />provide a distinctly Kohala experience for visitors and retreat attenders. Because <br />the Public Access Agreement is one of the first approved in Kohala, the wording <br />may not be as binding to the county as the current wording proscribed by the <br />Planning Department. The group decided to request that the Kohala Community <br />Access Group, also a part of the NKCDP, review the plan to suggest any changes, if <br />needed. Otherwise, we support your passage of the amendments to the SPP and <br />SMA permits. <br />Toni Withington, Acting Chair <br />