2005-06-17 DLNR 05-002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NISHIMURA:The Environmental Assessment and the requestfor comments were directed specifically to the Kawaihae Canoe Club. We didnt identify any other specific group. We did receive an inquiry from someone on the Fisheries Counciland a draft environmental assessment was transmitted to that individual for his review and no comments came in subsequent to his reviewing the environmental assessment. The only other I guess public body dealing with recreational resources was Department of Parks and Recreation and they didnt indicate any objections to the application. GRAHAM:Was there ever a public meeting advertised and held down in the Kawaihae area where the interested people around there could come and hear the States plans? NISHIMURA:No there wasnt any public meeting. GRAHAM:Thank you. GALDONES:Mr. Yuen? YUEN:This is let me start make a little statement and then Ill turn it into a question.WearerecommendingapprovalofthisandIrevieweditandIsignedoffonthe recommendation for approval. I do have some misgivings about this application from the state and that has to do with the fact that this is currently its an open area along a shoreline. Its not exactly shoreline; its very close to the shoreline. If this rezoning went through actually it would be by far the closest to shoreline property to be rezoned in the current administration. I cant think of any other properties that you would consider shoreline or close to shoreline that have been rezoned to a higher use in the current County administration. It is next to a sandy beach. You have, theres a are EOd for County recreational use next to it. Im just wondering if the potential gains to the State from leasing this out outweigh the fact that you have a-. We have the government busily spending money now to acquire coastal lands in many areas along both in this County and in the State and general public policy in trying to keep open space along the shoreline. How do you weigh, Id like to hear your weighing of the States interest here in potentially leasing this out as a revenue generating facility versus just keeping it as it is in open space. CHUN:Well I think one of the new functions weve taken on at DLNR and then in part to support not only the State in general but DLNRs mission with its public resources is to identify lands with revenue generating potential. This is one that we did. We acknowledge it is near the shoreline but through our Hilo office I think we effectuated the set aside to the canoe club or the County to maintain all of the immediate shoreline area and I believe useable area. Its a little difficult for us at times to deal with some of these things because we unlike a regular developer or proper owner we are subject to public land laws which means the property has to go out for auction. So we get demands or questions or inquiries from interested parties and yet we can never really be assured that thats going to be the ultimate user, which does put us in a little catch 22. You know were here with you trying to discuss certain things and we cant tell you what will be built. All I can say is were trying to do the best we can with the processes we are. We think that some of the mechanisms that are in place will help for example you know the set aside and in addition that when the auction is held number 1 if there really is no demand for the EXHIBIT B 5