PL-REZ-2022-000033 RENEE & DEREK INABA TESTIMONY 12.12.2022

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Agenda Item 1. LPC 12/15/2022 Meeting: Please include in Commissioners' Packets Opposing Kona Three,LLC Application for Permit Extensions(PL-REZ-2022-000033) TMK(3) 7-6-021:016 & :017 [68.837 acres as noted in Applicants Documentation] Aloha Leeward Planning Commissioners: We are respectfully requesting that the Leeward Planning Commission deny any further extension or any proposed building permits to Kona Three LLC for parcels as indicated in agenda 12/15/2022 LPC meeting. There are a multitude of issues that have not been adequately addressed about this consortium of investors'request to convert the open space (TMKs as specified in documentation) from Ag land,open space to dense multi family housing. Given the quite low original price,they seemingly purchased the land knowing that no active permits were in place. As we understand it the totality of the acreage had reverted back to its original state of Ag land. There have been many plans,that seem to change constantly with these Developers as well as multiple name changes on their part which has caused a lot of confusion on the part of the public.That is the case even for those that have been very interested in this matter. It turns out that many stakeholders have not had the chance to weigh in properly for a variety of reasons including a degree of confusion that seems to have been built into this process with these Developers and this property specifically. This may have happened intentionally or unintentionally one cannot say why,the fact is that it has happened. To move forward in any way without hearing from all important, key stakeholders would,we think,prove to be unwise at this time in this environment. Stakeholders are numerous as are the risks,complications, and ultimate costs of an unwise, "pushed through" approval of still further extension on old permits. The community needs more data,more complete reviews of the total infrastructure cost to the community in general for such a development. To extend or grant permits without a complete understanding of these costs,i.e., short-term,intermediate, and long-term,would be foolish. This could end up costing the County of Hawaii as well as its taxpayers and the community-at-large more than our current or future coffers could possibly afford, i.e., to subsidize a builder's development plan for their own profits with the actual cost being born by your constituents and our population of citizens,key important stakeholders. It is important that there be full inclusiveness and transparency in this process with no subterfuge or anyone involved having any perceived or actual conflicts of interest. There have been many efforts to try to save and preserve this land. It is one key space on this particular ahupua'a that has provided a lush habitat and hunting grounds for several endangered and protected species. Those are the Hawaiian owl, Pueo,the Hawaiian Hawk, 'Io and the Hoary Bat population in the area. There have not been proper or complete studies or involvement of key stakeholders and experts to assess this risk. There are also native birds in the area in addition to those species noted that need to be better understood. We as a community and you in your roles need to avoid,where possible, overstepping the boundaries that have been set up to protect this environment and these species. There is also much concern about pre-contact,contact, and post-contact(Western contact) archaeological materials and cultural materials relevant to the Hawaiian host culture that need to be better inventoried and preserved before they are lost to bulldozers and construction. This is one of those things if it's lost,it's lost forever and there is no reason to not do a proper and complete inventory of the entire area including the parcels noted by this development permitting request. Only a small fraction of the land was apparently ever reviewed and to the best of anyone's knowledge the entirety of the land and its potentially very significant features have never been properly assessed, logged and inventoried in partnership with the Burial Council or other Hawaiian groups of historical, archeological,or cultural practitioners. Of great concern is the watershed and water flow areas one on the north side of the property,one on the south side of the property that provide important and historical mauka-makai water flow during any significant rain. There is a lot to be considered here in that any modification of those two waterways could affect the properties and homes on either side of these proposed developments as well as the properties well above,upslope and below this area. This would require significant engineering reviews ensure if anything is ever done all the considerations and concerns by the communities,