2025-03-10 Susan Forbes attachment

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Susan Forbes PO Box 199 Hakalau, HI 96710 808-286-6130/sksforbes@gmail.com March 10, 2025 Windward Planning Commission, Hawaii County Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hi, Hawaii 96720 RE: Testimony on Hawaii County General Plan 2045, Final Recommended Draft Dear Chair Daniele, Vice Chair Perrin, and members of the Windward Planning Commission, Thankyou for this opportunity to testify. I have lived in Hawaii for the past 57 years and in Hakalau for the past 14 years. My focus is Hakalau Point, parcels 29002079 and 81. In 2015, 1 submitted a suggestion form to the County to acquire Hakalau Point under the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC). While a priority on the County's acquisition list, negotiations with the owner failed. I was an active participant in hearings of the Hamakua Community Plan. I'm testifying because of the inconsistency in the Final Recommended Draft General Plan 2045 and the HCDP adopted by ordinance in 2018,which was the result of significant community input and controversy during the HCDP process which lasted 9 years. My testimony summarizes the uniqueness of the site in terms of the historical, cultural and scenic significance. In addition, I've raised some practical issues related to safety within the community. Hakalau Point(and Hakalau Valley) played a major role in Hawaiian history. King Kamehameha defeated Maui warriors in Hakalau, an important step in the unification of the islands. (Attached is the 2015 PONC testimony of Kehaulani Lum delineating the details.) Hakalau Point and the mill area by the Bay were the hub of sugar production for over 100 years. The Point was a work site.The sugar industry is significant because of the contributions of its workers, immigrants from many cultures, and the values which enrich Hawaii today: Engage in collective effort. Look out for each other. Honor hard work. Show respect for those who came before us.Aloha and Malama 'Aina.This history enriches all of us.There are stories to tell and lessons to be learned from understanding the cultural and historical significance of the area.