2007-07-06 TSUPERSTORES - Laserfiche WebLink

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report or information that youve provided us its very difficult to quantify what levelof traffic we should be looking at. But it also seems obvious to me that possibly the current definition of superstores is adequate even though there are a lot of ways to get around it. And with that, if there are no other questions, I guess well be open for public testimony. So once again, Id like to remind you please be concise and keep your testimony to three minutes. And Ill call up the first four people on the list. I have Terrence Lee, David Paulson, Patrick Kahawaiolaa and Doug Arnott. Is Doug Arnott here? PUBLIC:He had to leave. WATANABE:If hes not here, Ill call up the next person then, Scarlett OHara Bill. Would you come up, please. Thank you. Okay, would you all raise your right hand so I can swear you in, please. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth now before the Planning Commission? TESTIFIERS:Yes. WATANABE:Yes, okay. And Ill start from my right, so Patrick you would be up first. And,onceagainfortherecord,wouldyoustateyournameandaddresspriortoprovidingyour testimony. KAHAWAIOLAA:Yes. Good afternoon. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission, my name is Patrick Kahawaiolaa. I live at 1260 Lama Road, Panaewa, Hawaii. I am here to give testimony based first on the Planning Directors initiative to amend the Chapter 25, Zoning Code, Hawaii County, to create a superstore zoning district where zoning or superstores would be allowed. I gave testimony at the first hearing that they had, the one before this, and I was in opposition to a superstore. However, I questioned the fact that a rezoning, everything is being talked about a superstore has to do with Hawaiian Home Lands, so it goes without saying. And Id like to get a clarification at this time, maybe not by the Planning Director which gave you the clarification the last time, but from Mr. Torigoe, the Corporation Counsel, as to whether the County has an opportunity or the authority to rezone lands having the status of Hawaiian Home lands. Because what has been said in the papers is this, even if they did a ban in Hawaii County or created this zone, it would not apply to Hawaiian Home Lands. So for purpose of clarification, this Commission needs to understand what can happen. Even if you say there is no ban or there is a ban and they want to do a superstore on Hawaiian Home lands, are they now allowed to circumvent the Countys compliance laws and ordinances and build it anyway, which they did with the Waiakea Center? So thats my opposition, my opposition is in favor of a ban, opposition to a superstore and a zoning if it has anything to do with Hawaiian Home lands on this island because were an island state. Were already talking about developments that have created a lot of problems in the past; and I just hope that this Planning Commission does not continue to do that in the future, because were now being subjected to all the poor planning that was done, i.e. in Puna, in Hawaiian Paradise Park and those places. I just need to let you know I am advocate for Hawaiian Homes. I believe the Hawaiian Home lands should be used for trust obligations, which was to provide home, housing, pastoral. In light of the rhetoric that you may hear from the State of Hawaii and this Department of Hawaiian Homes to say we need to generate income and so therefore we need to lease these lands to 4 EXHIBIT B