2007-07-20 TRoyal - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

I’m not here to oppose this project. I want to make it very clear. But I am here to, since Rule 9 was amended sometime ago and one of the main amendments to your rule, SMA Rule 9, Planning Commission Rule 9, I’m referring to, excuse me, is that “A written description of the anticipated impacts of the proposed development on valued cultural, historical or natural resources on or in the vicinity of the property to include:” and then it goes on further. I’m sure you folks know what the rule is. And the reason for this is to do the best that we all can, not only as citizens but as members of the Commission, as well as the Director, as well as his staff, to fulfill the State mandates, constitutional and otherwise, to protect and conserve these valuable cultural resources. And, so, I want to point out to you that just having a Cultural Impact Assessment in front of you doesn’t mean that it has done what it’s supposed to do. I would also, if you have read it, you will note, in my portion of it, and I did not read the other interviews, but there are references to other individuals who are, have much more information to and are more directly connected to this land. There’s also another mistaken statement in here that I’m a lineal descendent of the Kaumalumalu area. That is, I have not been recognized as such; and I’m not sure that I am. Certainly a cultural but I’m not -. I’m a lineal descendent to the Pahoehoe area, which is adjacent to this. I want to correct that for the record. And “The identity and scope of valued cultural, historical and natural resources in the area, including the extent to which traditional and customary native Hawaiian rights are exercised in the area,” I don’t think has been adequately covered. “The extent to which those resources, including traditional and customary native Hawaiian rights, will be affected or impaired by the proposed action,” also is not well covered, in my estimation. And “The feasible action, if any, to be taken to reasonably protect any valued cultural, historical or natural resources, including any existing traditional and customary native Hawaiian rights,” has been addressed in terms of the preservation areas. But the background of the significance and importance of this area, that is Kaumalumalu and Holualoa 4, as well as surrounding areas, as a royal residence and a royal center has not been adequately covered here, in my estimation; and I can’t imagine that that would necessarily be any reason for you not granting an SMA permit, although that’s what your rule says. Now, with respect to the Judd Trail, my concern was that it appeared to me that some of the tax maps, as well as the representation that some of the walls and portions of the trail were not intact or had been destroyed, seemed to be mistaken. Mr. Chang has gone out there and you heard his testimony a little while ago indicating that there has been, that there has been damage to the walls. I’m very sorry to hear that. And there’s an indication that perhaps this damage was done prior to Mr. Smith’s acquiring this property and that may be true, although I recall the walls being intact in the ‘80s and perhaps it EXHIBIT A 15