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WOODWARD: Right. Well, yeah, this is just giving us a forum for discussion. So itÓs not set
<br />one way or the other at this point, as far as IÓm concerned.
<br />
<br />ISHIBASHI: Well, thatÓs the reason -. WeÓre just trying to open discussion to see how we come
<br />up with some ideas and make this thing fly, cause I see the need and the necessity to have this
<br />facility in operation. I see the benefits to the community. I donÓt know where the town center is
<br />going to be on that side of the road, if there is any town center coming up in Paradise Park, but I
<br />see the need for this facility. WeÓve got to hash out this special use.
<br />WOODWARD: Commissioner Domingo.
<br />
<br />DOMINGO: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. After listening to my two brothers here I have some
<br />few thoughts also, Mr. Chairman. I agree with what theyÓre saying and the sentiments that
<br />theyÓre pushing out. As I look at the proposed recommended regional commercial areas in the
<br />CDP, weÓre looking at a large landowner and weÓre looking at possibly lands owned by the
<br />Association. Now when you look at that and you try to perceive what kind of development will
<br />be coming in that area, what weÓre looking at would be huge, huge commercial endeavors. And
<br />that would certainly mean the commodity and the price itself would be, would be along the lines
<br />that we find in the Hilo or wherever. And I think what IÓve heard today is that what theyÓre
<br />trying to sell is to accommodate, you know, their whole intent is to accommodate the people
<br />within Hawaiian Paradise Park, and nothing else.
<br />
<br />My only concern about them is that, you know, theyÓre bringing in wholesale goods and then
<br />theyÓre reselling that to other outlets. ThatÓs a concern that I have, especially when youÓre
<br />coming in for a use, for a special permit in agricultural properties, you know. And as far as what
<br />this will permit in the future with regards to the General Plan, you know, IÓm glad that theyÓve
<br />come to us seeking a special permit. A special permit is not readily available for anyone who
<br />comes in and applies for it. You have to go through a hearing and get public input in order to
<br />obtain a permit. So with this in mind, you know, our concern to think that once we grant this
<br />then other lots in that whole area will come in and apply for it and then probably get, and be able
<br />to establish a similar operation that they have, that is wrong. A special permit is taken on an
<br />individual basis, based on its merits, based on the surrounding area, based on the environment,
<br />and all of those issues that, you know, brings concern to our minds when something new comes
<br />in. So that gives us some ability to say yes or no when we consider this.
<br />
<br />And I think what IÓve heard today, you know, it brings up memories of my past. I come up from
<br />a very humble beginning. IÓve been raised, I was born and raised on the northern part of this
<br />island by Kukuihaele, and Waipio Valley is at the end; and thereÓs no way out from there.
<br />YouÓve got to come back all the way to Honokaa and take the highway again. So, you know, my
<br />upbringing was a very humble one. In fact, we lived below Kukuihaele, which if you would look
<br />in the history books they had a plantation, Honokaa Plantation landing, ThatÓs where the ships
<br />used to come and take sugar, bag sugar from the, and troll it down to the ship. You know, we
<br />didnÓt have any store, we didnÓt have any store, with the exception of the plantation store. So if
<br />you call who, thatÓs how old I am, a person living when they had the plantation store, youÓre
<br />looking at one of them. We depended on them a lot. And it was through necessity that the
<br />plantation had to do that, because the roads coming down to our place were very, were not
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