|
development couldn’t take place. Right? So that’s why we even can consider this, because it is
<br />Medium Density Urban.
<br />I am, for the record again, a proponent of our community development process and, community
<br />development plan process, which Puna, Kona, South Kohala, North Kohala have established
<br />plans with thousands of people participating.And Hamakua, and Kau is in the process right
<br />now, and Hamakua is getting ready to go into that process. We’re not doing it for Hilo because
<br />of monetary constraints I’m told. But in my, all the other members of the Commission know that
<br />I talk about this all the time and that, you know, my preference is that the community
<br />development process, development plan process gets done for Hilo. Right? To me it’s the
<br />greatest need because we’re already developed. And then in that process you and everyone else
<br />in the community who is concerned about the future of how Hilo is going to look, it’s basically
<br />what you’re talking about, gets to make input. Okay?
<br />But the reality, the long-term reality is that we need more housing. That’s one of the biggest
<br />concerns I have, is that, you know -. Everybody knows we have a housing crisis. Right? So,
<br />and it’s not just a Hilo problem or a Puna problem or a Kona problem. It’s, you know, an island-
<br />wide issue. And so the community in my mind, you know, needs to get involved and get
<br />working on this. The Planning Commission and the Council by itself, they’re concerned. There
<br />are a lot of concerned people, they try to address it but it just keeps getting worse. Right? So,
<br />you know, something like these 100 units, Multi-Family, you know, to me more units make it
<br />better. Right? So I think that’s the best I can address your concern.
<br />And in terms of, I think it’s obvious more people means more cars and more traffic and all of
<br />that. We always hear that this is going to be minimal impact on our community. But the reality
<br />is that every development on Oahu said the same thing, right, and they got what they got. Every
<br />development on Maui said the same thing and they got what they got. So we need to look at the
<br />bigger picture and, but in the end, you know, we have to look at these larger concerns.
<br />So as far as my question for you is, you know, do you, I guess you’re giving your professional
<br />opinion, right, that if this development occurs your property value will go down for a residence,
<br />right?
<br />NISHIDA: Yes.
<br />IWASHITA: Do you have an opinion as to whether or not the property, you know, the
<br />fact that perhaps the commercial, on the commercial value side that, you know, generally the
<br />market will go up for the properties in the area?
<br />NISHIDA: This isn’t being rezoned Commercial. This is being rezoned Multi-
<br />Family. And part of, and I actually have a copy of an appraisal report that it very clearly shows
<br />in there -.
<br />IWASHITA: Yeah, okay. I misspoke. You know that type of zoning is, you’re correct
<br />in pointing that out. But basically because the rest of the area, right, it’s not just this part but the
<br />rest of the area, general area, is Medium Density Urban, the potential is there for other
<br />8
<br /> EXHIBIT A
<br />
<br />
|