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2. Moreover, we feel that the values of long -range community - planning oblige us to involve our <br />schools and our youth so that they emerge as adults imbued with the ethos of sustainability. <br />Promoting Health and Safety: <br />1. Downtown Hilo and its immediate <br />surrounding area faced two major devastating <br />tsunamis in 1946 and 1960 where buildings <br />located directly along the bayfront were <br />destroyed, as was nearby Waiakea Town and the <br />Shinmachi community. Despite its difficult past, <br />Downtown Hilo continues to maintain a visible <br />vibrant presence and forms the center of attention in the lives of Hilo residents. Every <br />Wednesday and Saturday morning, with the early rising sun, this resilient coastal community <br />becomes a vibrant gathering place as the Hilo Farmer's Market opens. Vendors abound with <br />fresh local fruits, vegetables, flowers, and home made products. The Farmer's Market is where <br />residents run into each other, stop and "talk story ", and catch up on the latest news. <br />Paradoxically, Downtown Hilo's vulnerable location on the edge of Hilo Bay also becomes one <br />of its greatest strengths. However, disaster - preparedness education, whether it be tuned to <br />tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, or fires, is vital for maintaining the safety of our residents <br />and our local economy. It is important that Downtown Hilo be prepared. <br />2. We recognize the importance of having a healthy, active population. To that end, new <br />strategies are needed that highlight existing and outline new opportunities in Downtown for <br />the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. <br />Managing Growth: <br />1. In Downtown Hilo it is essential that we balance revitalization with preserving historic <br />character. Part of this involves having clear, direct urban design guidelines. The Hawaii <br />Redevelopment Agency (now dissolved) produced a set of regulations known as Rule No. 6: <br />Downtown Hilo Urban Design Rules which was adopted by Resolution of the Hawaii County <br />Council. Rule 6 contains numerous guidelines for ensuring aesthetic form continuity for <br />buildings within the Downtown area. However, they have not been widely enforced and at <br />times contradict other guidelines outlined in the Building Code. A recent initiative by the <br />Planning Department includes forwarding new plan proposals to the Hilo Downtown <br />Improvement Association for review and comment in accordance with Rule 6. Uncertainty <br />exists as to the amount of authority Rule 6 has, especially where it contradicts with the Building <br />Code. <br />2. Significant inhibitions to investment and revitalization exist in the County Building Code due <br />to Downtown Hilo's vulnerable position in the tsunami - inundation zone. For example, for <br />EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025 1 SDAT Application 2009 <br />