2007-06-05 TSUPERSTORES - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CAMPBELL: I am Paul Campbell. I live at 13-1342 Malama in Leilani Estates. I am the current chair of the Sierra Club, Moku Loa group, representing about 950 people. We stand with our Hawaiian brothers and sisters in groups Hoomalu Hawaii and Aupuni O Hawaii. We stand in support of their desire for self determination. And since this involves DHH land, and there are some issues around that, I’d like to address that a little bit. Where is the social justice in this when people have been waiting for generations to get this DHHL land? In conjunction with that, I’m referring to the original Act, the United States Act, that formed the backdrop for the -. GRAHAM: Sir, are you addressing yourself to this particular agenda item we have before us today? CAMPBELL: Yes, I am. We stand, let me state firmly that we stand in favor of the big box store ban. We stand opposed to 5a which is the amendment to the General Plan. GRAHAM: Thank you for the clarification. CAMPBELL: That’s a clarification. The original agreement between the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the County of Hawaii circles around the original Act which is known as the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, amended in July 1921. It states firmly in Title 1(a), the purpose, “The Congress of the United States and the State of Hawaii declare that the policy of this Act is to enable native Hawaiians to return to their lands in order to fully support self-sufficiency for native Hawaiians and the self-determination of native Hawaiians in the administration of this Act, and the preservation of the values, traditions, and culture of native Hawaiians.” How did we get embroiled by putting these mega stores on Hawaiian Home lands? What would happen if we put up some kupuna housing or student housing for the university? If elderly housing were put there and a better transportation system evolves, it would be a perfect use for that land; and it could go to native Hawaiians in that way. These superstore creators did an end run last time and they’re trying to do it this time. The Council and probably this Commission is under the opinion that the County has no jurisdiction over DHHL land. We believe that is in error. We believe it can be challenged, but that’s a long- term vision. In the meantime we have, the Sierra Club is doing an educational campaign showing the video, the frontline, it’s not a frontline, it’s a documentary called “The High Cost of Low Price.” There is an excellent article by Dave Smith in this paper. I don’t have to reiterate what these superstores do to a local community once they come in. I’ve talked to the managers and owners of several retail grocery stores and such. They’re all pulling their hairs out, concerned about this. And at this point -. GRAHAM: Could you kind of finish up so we can -? CAMPBELL: I’ll summarize here. GRAHAM: Thank you. CAMPBELL: Kauai just recently passed, last week passed, a big box store ban; and we would like this Council to take it up and also support this big box store ban. It’s not appropriate EXHIBIT D 5