2007-05-24 TSUPERSTORE - Laserfiche WebLink

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WOODWARD: I just wondered if you had any current plans for a superstore. HALSEY: We are in negotiations on the Hilo store. WOODWARD: Okay. Thank you. GRAHAM: Okay. Sir, you are next. If you would start with your name and address. NISHIDA: My name is Craig Nishida. I don’t know if you need my specific address; I’m actually from Oahu. Do you need -? GRAHAM: Yes. NISHIDA: Okay, it’s 91-2048 Luahoana Street. It’s in Ewa Beach. My mother side of the family is from Kona; and when I was growing up, I spent many really happy summers over here. When you get away from Honolulu and you come to the country, it was wonderful. I mean you felt so free. And that’s what I love about the Big Island, you know, so much open space, there is not as much traffic, so many people. And I’d like to see is stay that way. Unfortunately, superstores would cause a lot more traffic in that particular area, a burden on the utilities there. And I was horrified to hear about the Superstore district. That just multiplies the effect that they’ll have. People would be driving from far away just to get there, and that’s going to cause a lot more, you know, traffic in that area. You are going to be wasting fuel. Instead, there should be a lot more local businesses spread out all over. Just keep the country country. Thank you very much. GRAHAM: Thank you, Mr. Nishida. Any comments or questions from the Commissioners? Thank you both for coming over all the way from Oahu. Ma’am? AGUILAR: My name is Marie Aguilar. I’m also representing my partner, Philip Mosher today. My P. O. Box is 1874, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745. I am a business owner in Kailua-Kona, in historic Kailua Village. I have been here for 14 years. There is a deep concern from the members of our island community about the commercial business development on Hawaii Island. Today, the County Council has recommended that you review superstores aka Big Box stores on Hawaii Island. This is a great vision for County Council Stacy Higa’s action to halt the Big Box stores on this island. The concern for small businesses is very realistic. This island’s foundation for business has been solely in the hands of families making their living and creating jobs for its community. We have families here with deep dedication for over five generations who give back to this island and share their aloha. They have worked hard and struggled in high and low economic times. We are owners of a small business in Kailua-Kona, and do not wish to see the business owners like myself have the hard economic turndown if Big Box superstores are allowed on this island. It will hurt every small business owner. We have struggled to make Kailua-Kona a world class destination. We have the world’s best 100% Kona coffee, World Champion Ironman Triathlon, Big Island Marlin Championship, National Historic sites, Historic National Park along Queen EXHIBIT E 6