2007-05-24 TALLIANCE - Laserfiche WebLink

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GRAHAM: Any other questions from the Commissioners? DOMINGO: Mr. Chairman? GRAHAM: Yes, Commissioner Domingo? DOMINGO: You made reference to the Kohala development plan. I think it’s mentioned in one of the documents here that the plan states that agricultural lands should be preserved. But on the other hand, a few sentences below that under the economic element of the plan, states that agricultural lands should be used for retreats and other uses to bolster the economic potential of the area. Are you aware of that? WITHINGTON: Yes, I’m aware of that. I’m also aware of the State law; the State law regarding agricultural lands that lists specific uses for use on prime land and requires State review of these uses. And one of the uses that are specifically listed in there as not prohibited is overnight camping. DOMINGO: Yes, it does. And that is why they are here before the Commission to obtain a Special Permit. I would advise you, as you work on the Kohala development plan, that you consider this two – what do you call – discrepancies, and perhaps allow for some leeway, not leeway, but some explanation as to the importance of it. Surely agricultural lands are important. But when you look at it from the economic standpoint, I think what drives growth in Kohala and other areas on the island is the fact that people are using agricultural lands to consider other alternate uses, so that they can use the land for more economical purposes than ag use in itself. WITHINGTON: Yes, I understand that very, very much. And I do support any economic growth in our community; I mean that’s given. The point is that the State and the County have both recognized that the transition from plantation agriculture to diversified agriculture is going to take some forbearance by everybody. Because if we allow our prime ag land to be taken up by non-ag uses, we will not be able to go back. The inflation of the value of them will take them out of their ability to be used as ag, and we will find ourselves in a kind of a sticky spot, not being able to use ag when we have the opportunity to do that. GRAHAM: Thank you. Any other questions from the Commissioners? All right. Sir, in the center, please start with your name and address. PERRY: Aloha, everybody. My name is Michael. Last name is Perry and not “W.” My address is 74-5085 Kealapua Street, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. I just have kind of two things that I was, as he was speaking. I know we’re talking about land and the economic and the use of it of growing things on top there, and that’s cool and all. But as I was looking at your panel, I was thinking I work with teenagers and youth in high schools and stuff like that, and it’s very, very hard to find places where we can take the youth and do outreaches and camps. We normally get shut down because of a -, certain places have so much restrictions that we can’t be allowed to go camping in areas. In September I spoke about Makalawaena. We go camping down there. And not one occasion but two occasions, there’s big, huge parties, you know, people down there really destroying the land, really destroying. One night I explained in September was the morning after the Forth of July weekend, the morning after, the whole place EXHIBIT B 5