2004-07-02 TISHIMARU - Laserfiche WebLink

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SOARES:Good afternoon, Commission members. In light of, he was just mentioning in regards to the past activity as a quarry there. Were looking at the permit that was issued in 1972. Its 32 years ago, expired in 1992. I know Mr. Ishimaru quite well. I live in the district of Ka u, I bought cattle from him, Ive been on his land. And unless Im blind and ignorant, I didnt notice any type of quarry, type of facility. Environmental impacts within this area, from a practice like this, in 2004 and tomorrow, is not comparable to the past. I think my eyes in front of the head isto look forward and not to look back. Im kind of curious and concerned of the fact that in the beginning and at the outset of this that the Planning Director has already givenhis approval for this, provided us with due process. In looking at that map there, Mr. Yuen, if you could kind of tell me in 1972 in comparisonwhenitwasfirstissuedto2004wherewearenowpresentlydiscussingthis? My family also owns 110 acres probably within the same amount of distance between his quarry, potential quarry site and the highway. So Im about 3,500 feet, 4,000 feet away from that. We have one residence there. We have just acquired 91acres there, which is agriculture. And Ag is our bag, and thats what were going to do. But Im concerned that in the beginning process of this meeting announcing by this gentleman here that it has been recommended to be approved by the Planning Director. So Im looking at what has been presented to us, we have a permit started in 1972, knowing the current populace of homes and proposed homes that are going up now are in the area, understanding some of the acquisitional transitions of Discovery Harbor by Hawaiian Homes, and the target by developers and contractors to prey off of the opportunity in the district of Ka u, which is the largest district in the State of Hawaii. So in looking at this proposal, Im a we kind of guy. I know Mr. Ishimaru, he has a predominant role in the district of Ka u, he has played in the past. But I dont think that this is a proposal that should be passed or should be considered in an area of two sizes of Oahu, is the district of Ka u. And were going to put a quarry in 2004, or 05 were coming around to, basing on our knowledge on the facts of 1972. And already we have a recommendation of approval, I find that astounding beyond belief. And a lot of times, with all due respect to you folks role, your expertise and your knowledge, Im not here to be your friend. Im here to base everything I decide on on the facts, and the facts only. And that quarry, as you can see where the red dot is sitting is adjacent to Green Sands. You got an Ag-1 area down below which is 500 acres. Were building 500 one-acre lots, another 3,500 feet Kona of that. All the prevailing winds will constantly blow all of that stuff. When I hear the word quarry, I get a little nervous because I grew up in Honolulu, watched East Hawaii get ruined, watched Kapaa Quarry turn into Shay Stadium. If we care anything about our environment in a fundamental, basic moralistic way, we need to take ten steps back before we take even one forward on this kind of stuff. Because like Bob said, and I sympathize with what he said, I dont mind paying the extra money. I got 6