2024-09-26 PL-INT-2024-008822 GP 2045 Draft Comments - T. Keeney

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P. 17. Support the achievement of 70 percent renewable energy for the electricity sector by 2030, with 40 percent from renewables and 30 percent from efficiency, and 100 precent by 2045. Comment: The language here is misleading. If one is advocating for 70% of electricity generation from renewable energy, that is contrary to 40% of generation is from renewables and there has been a 30% gain in efficiency. Please explain the meaning of this directive. Is this merely a rationalization for failure to meet a 70% renewables goal by 2030. P. 20. Adopt a land acquisition program with potential leaseback options for the purchase of hazard-prone locations or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation or mitigation. Comment: This is not something that the public will bear. This feels like collusion between corporate or wealthy land owners and Administration. This is a directive which must be taken to the public in the form of a referendum before it is placed in the General Plan. This certainly would be reason for the County Council to defer ratification of the Draft General Plan. Proposals with this level of controversy should not be placed in the General Plan until they are taken to the people by referendum or, at least, the County Council. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES P24. Over the next 25 years, the population growth rate is expected to decline from an average of 2.3% per annum to about 0.9% per annum. In 2045 the resident population is forecast to be approximately 273,000 which is a 35% increase over 2018. Comment: Please explain the reason for this decline in population growth rate.. P. 24. About 90% of growth on average is through immigration. Comment: Many people have concern that 90% of growth is from immigration. That concern rises to the level that many people feel that growth is not a good thing but in fact is damaging to the environment and our social structure. The proposal that Affordable housing permits and inspection should always be placed at the head of the queue of projects in the Building Division might help somewhat. Growth in housing development other than affordable housing or housing for heritage residents should be discouraged, and domestic agriculture should be emphasized for the purpose of resiliency. P. 24. In 2018, 67,000 Hawaii State residents moved to the mainland; they were partially replaced by 54,000 mainlanders who moved to the State for a net out migration from Hawaii of 13,000. Comment: This problem might be improved by improving the attractiveness to the Developers of building Affordable Housing with modest discouragement toward building upscale homes. This might be accomplished by moving all Affordable projects to the head of the queue for permit review and building inspection. P. 24. The population over age 65 is expected to grow to 44% by the year 2045. In 2020, the largest cohort of the population was between the ages of 60 to 69. Comment: All of the above statistics need illumination. The domination of this population age cohort seems unworkable. The influx of retirement age immigrants is a challenge to our societal structure.