2007-05-24 TPDWAIMEAREZ - Laserfiche WebLink

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also all of the unknowns, so in a way we’re trying to work on this now proactively. And also we are using this project where there was general community consensus, and let’s do something where we achieve something and have something to show and get all the people engaged that have been so discouraged in terms of planning such as for traffic problems yet nothing happens. We want to inspire and engage others in the community planning process. I was also concerned, as Bob was, in terms of the 400 acre zoning designation. Why don’t we just go with 420 acre zoning at least? Four hundred and twenty acre zoning is not non- conforming; that’s the actual acreage. And just from a lawyer’s point of view, where is it that says it is wrong to designate higher acreage zoning such as 500 acres, even though non- conforming. I’m sure that if one luxury house were going to sit right on the basin of this parcel, it would destroy this landmark location. Why not 500 acre zoning? I don’t know. Do you know? Maybe there is a reason why you can’t designate it at 500 acre zoning. There was one other aspect that I and some others really pushed, and that was the concept for some public access on this parcel. And I think my motivation really came from when there was a community presentation – I think it was Pua Case, a middle school teacher. She talked about her relationship and the students’ relationship to this land. She teaches the names of these hills and relates the students to it, and they go there and it’s all “no trespassing” signs. And she reflects to them on how she could touch the dirt and went up there as a child and these pu’u were part of an inspiration of nature. So what I am encouraging and would like you all to encourage is working on some kind of partnership for public access. And I recently went up there around the parcel with John Ray – as a neighbor, not as representing Parker Ranch – so that I could go around it and see where we could possibly do a perimeter hike. We would achieve a multi- faceted use of this parcel, not eliminating the ranch use, but how could we maybe put a fence around the edge of the parcel. We do not want for another 35 years or another 99 years of all “no trespassing” signs around this State parcel. What I worked on was what are all of the problems that we have to overcome to do that, such as: Where would we park? Where would we hike to and from? But none of the problems really seem insurmountable. So I just would like to, to the extent that you are in a position to, encourage some kind of partnership with the County, whether it’s Parker Ranch or whatever lessee. I think one thing the people said is that when the range lease comes up, we can write in new terms. But at the same time what I was trying to work on is how can we do a few pilot programs or work through this during this four-year period remaining on the Parker Ranch lease. Ask Parker Ranch and others as a partnership or stewardship that would allow for public access. We might start with some restrictions on who can go there. It might not be just open door to the public. It might be something like we do for hunters getting a license. I’ve taken their hunting course, it’s a great course, but we need to add some environmental and cultural component. So I think that the viewshed is important to all, but to go there on this land is another world. When I drove around there the other day, it was just extraordinary, inspirational. I mean these enormous trees. If you ride around the edge of this land, there is a feeling of sanctity and peace. I also want to emphasize that this parcel was always historically a cultural gathering place both in times of peace and war. The decisive battle between the kingdom of Maui and the kingdom of Hawaii was fought there. And that’s where Maui went to fight; they wanted to fight right on that special place. That was the spot, that was the important site for gathering. A lot of people say that if Maui hadn’t held off so as to fight in this location, giving Hawaii’s other forces time to get to Waimea, Maui would have won the battle, and we could be now the State of Maui. So I just want to emphasize, encourage that there be some public access. It is a great landmark for residents and it is scenic for visitor. It would EXHIBIT D 5