2007-07-06 TSUPERSTORES - Laserfiche WebLink

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WATANABE:Okay, beginning on my far right, would you state your name and address for the record and then you can proceed with your testimony. GOROSPE:Elmer Gorospe, 2111 Kaumana Drive, Hilo, Hawaii. I live and work in Hilo, have a wife and three children. I know how expensive it is to support growing children and would love to pay less for our food, clothing and other necessities of life. But I would never shop at a superstore. Why you ask? Because a superstore, like Wal-Mart, has been built in many parts of the country, drives out its competition, usually small mom and pop stores, and gradually becomes a monopoly. Superstores have made its millions (and billons) by doing that, as well as buying its goods from countries where workers and environmental rights mean next to nothing. I believe in supporting Hawaii-grown stores, like KTA and Foodland, that have been good to Hawaii residents. These stores have been supporting our economy through the good times and bad. We need to support them. But if we allow superstores to come to town, do you think these stores can compete? What about even the smaller stores like Sack n Save, Safeway, Ace Hardware, etc.? Superstores will eat them alive. I dont think we need a superstore on the Big Island. Were a small community and we should stay that way. And thats why I urge the Planning Commission to reject the Planning Directors proposaltocreateasuperstorezoningdistrictandsupporttheCountyCouncilsproposaltoban superstores in any zoning district. Thank you for considering my views and concerns. WATANABE:Thank you. Do any of the Commissioners have any questions for Elmer? None? Thank you. State your name and address, please. HA:Im Richard Ha, 421 Lama Street. Im a farmer. We farm 600 acres in Pepeeko, Hamakua Springs. We have about 90 employees. And what I want to talk about is Im against the zoning for superstores for the reason that I think its going to be damaging to small farmers. The larger farmers can qualify and supply the large stores. But for, I think its more important to think about food security. About 70 percent of the food that we eat is imported and we have about 10 days of food in the pipeline. If we get something like bird flu, today the foods would be all gone. But, and its real important to take care of the small farmers. And stores like KTA and Foodland, they go out of their way to ride the good and the bad with the small farmers. Im considered a large farmer, and Im competing with some of the small farmers. But Ive noticed over the years that they make a special effort to take care of the small farmers. And its really important because you dont want to really rely on just a handful of big farmers. And I dont think its wise to rely on one big superstore. You know, I majored in business, Im an accounting major. Im supposed to, you know, I know about competition and fair trade and all that kind of stuff. Its good to talk about that. Unless you live in the middle of the Pacific, you really dont want to not grow your own food. Thats all I have to say. WATANABE:Thank you. Commissioner Siracusa? 19 EXHIBIT B