2024-09-26 PL-INT-2024-008840 GP 2045 Draft Comments - E. Dunn

Home

bringing people into the decision making process, I'm appalled, and it does't happen now. Why would I (or anyone else) believe it will happen in the future? Please see my hand written comments on Pages 40-48 of the attachment. I have too many comments to type here, and have scanned these pages. If you have questions about my comments, pease feel free to email me. Chapter 3 - Addressing Climate Change for Island-Wide Health This is a great chapter, and it feels like this is an insert that is now included in all General Plans. It is written very differently than the rest of the General Plan, and is very scientific. Not that that's a bad thing. It just feels very different, and doesn't quite fit with the rest of this draft document. Page 66: Under Conservation, my comment is that cesspools have to be removed immediately. I live 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile above Ali'i Drive. I'm still dismayed that the Leeward Planning Commission allowed a property owner to change a single family house into a bed and breakfast, and all the effluent discharges directly into the ocean. How gross. If the County really wanted to show it's serious about cesspool conversion, it would adopt a moratorium on these kind of commercialization of uses, and not allow an intensification of land uses until cesspools are removed, and a realistic long term solution to sewer connection is adopted and funded by Hawai'i County. Have a backbone people. The ocean can heal itself but we need to help. Please see my hand written comments on Pages 67-71 of the attachment. I have too many comments to type here, and have scanned these pages. If you have questions about my comments, please feel free to email me. Chapter 4 - Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities The introduction in 4.1.1 is really good. It's written very well, and is a clear, and easy to understand presentation of land use planning. Good job!! Table 16: The information is Changing and Aging Population is surprising, in terms of the projected population growth rate of Hawai'i Island. If there's a way to summarize the population shift (in and out migration), demographic changes (Island population growth rate, birth and death rates, and an aging population), that would really get the point across about the types of demographic changes the island has and is expected to experience. Even more critical is the overall growth rate - 35% by 2045? That's a huge figure, and needs to be planned for now with the island infrastructure of roads, water delivery, wastewater treatment plant and landfills expansions, schools, and all levels of hospitals and clinics. Table 17: Infrastructure. Second bullet. What can be done at the state level to remove the state from being involved in County land use issues? Why is the state still involved in these issues? That power should be fully delegated to the locals so the four counties can plan for their own future without working through the state process, especially if that's an impediment for any hearings or approval at the state level. Is there the political will to consider doing this? Is it possible or it this an issue that the State won't release its grip on. Third bullet: What is meant by the "desired density"? I find this kind of language to be troubling as it is quantitative and not qualitative. Please consider terms that are more descriptive without being so restrictive to future plans, and the larger political decision making process (Planning Commission and County Council actions).