2003-12-04 TCLIFTO120403 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EOFF:This is on behalf of Na Keiki He'e Nalu written by Jim Sogi ÐI testify on behalf of Na Keiki He'e Nalu O Hawaii, a public charity whose purpose is to preserve family building activities, preserve and continue Hawaiian cultural practices and promote community sustainability. For the past decade our group has personally done periodic clean ups of the O'oma area, policed and done sweeps to remove the homeless and drug addicts as we have at Kohanaiki. These efforts have been documented in the newspaper over the years. We have raised funds to support our efforts at the beach. Our group and our members have a personal interest and stake in the use, protection and proposed development of the O'oma parcel and requests the Commis efforts to make our island a good place to live. ÐWe oppose the request for an SMA Permit for the following reaso Ð1. At a meeting with Mayor Harry Kim, Clifto verbally promised to donate and build a park in the same manner Rutter/Kennedy Wilson did at Kohanaiki, but Clifto has not fulfilled any of that representation in the plans presented or engaged in any good faith discussions to that end. Any permit should be expressly conditioned on developerÓs prior written agreement to donate the makai parcel for a park and build and maintain all improvements for the park with parking, bathroom showers, camping recreation, archeological preservation, ecological protection and with permanent and free access. This process worked well with Rutter/Kennedy Wilson and we request the CommissionÓs support in requiring Clifto to satisfy community needs by negotiating with community representatives to negotiate the terms of the public park, beach access and usage prior to and as a condition of any permits. The developer has not cooperated with community groups in negotiating terms of access and maintenance but has been contrary in all respects. Ð2. The public and native Hawaiians have the legal right of access for cultural practices as well as public historical accesses along the old mauka-makai road. The developer should not be permitted to close it after a period of time or after development. It is a legal right which we intend to enforce in court if necessary. Ð3. The proposed plan and rezoning does not comply with the County General Plan. The high rise blocks seaward viewplanes, and it is of different and much higher density than both surrounding parcels, it does not process for adequate resolution of traffic problems, it does not consider and preserve Hawaiian cultural values, it does not preserve recreational assets. It does not address public recreational needs and the need to gather food. It basically does not fit in well with the area at all. Allowing the spot zoning would be poor from a planning perspective, creating an eyesore of urban high density development in the prime tourist corridor from the airport, in w rise, low density area recreational corridor. The high density should be saved, as provided in the General Plan for the downtown area, not out by the airport or beach areas. CliftoÓs plan does not provide permanent free public access to the beach as required by law. 20