2014-09-04 Hearing Transcript-Scott Watson Amend SMA 450

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really surprised to see him here. So, I just hope you’ll all act in the interest of preserving the land and enforcing the laws that protect our land. Thank you. NISHIMOTO: My name is Ingrid Nishimoto, and I live, P.O. Box 90 at Nīnole, Hawai‛i, and I wanted to speak about Special Management Areas. And I know that when you’re given a deed to property you own, that deed gives you specific information as to your property, its exact location, and it would give any specific information if there are other requirements that go with your property. And, you have that, and when you buy it, you’re a buyer. You know what you’ve gotten. And, now, with all of these amendments that come in, I really have some questions. I do know that that deed that for the Pepe‛ekeō property clearly stated that it was subject to not just one but two public access easements, so that was specifically stated on the deed. My questions are to the words “special.” Special Management Area. Does special refer to the developer or the owner of the property. Does special mean that property goes to the special person with very special ideas on what to do, and they do not have to follow all of the building rules and regulations that the rest of us do. Is that what special means? And, I know that Judge Hara, former Planning Commissioners [sic] Chris Yuen and Duane Kanuha, all said no for some of the changes that needed, that the developer wanted to do. So I wondered if special means the special developer is so special they do not have to follow any rules, but to me, I think special refers to the land. It was given that, that designation--Special Management Area, for specific reasons. And it wasn’t just done light-heartedly. When it was done, it was done with consensus and with an understanding of the environment and where that, where it is located. It makes me think of, you know, times when you go shopping, and you stand in line, and you see this child that is whining and throwing a fit. They want a candy bar. They want cookies. And then you see some times the adult will say, no. And then the child learns an important lesson. They learn that no means no at certain times. And then other time, you’ll see it when the child is throwing a tantrum that the adult will just toss in the candy bar and the cookie, and the child is happy. And yet you realize it doesn’t work that way because as time goes on, there will be more and more whining. They’ll be more and more problems. And it just does not work. And already, Scott Watson has developed three properties along the Hāmākua Coast. He hasn’t even gotten beyond Maulua Gulch yet. But out there in Nīnole, I do know that there have been landslides within the last several years very close to that property. And, that pool is not very—about 700 yards away. So, I don’t know, but I—to me, special means there’s a special reason for this land to be considered a management area and a conservation area in Nīnole, and it does not mean that anyone can come in and buy it and do whatever their own special ideas are. Thank you. MIYASATO: Thank you. Commissioners, do you have any questions for the Applicant—or any of the testifiers? Excuse me, could you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the Hawai‛i County Planning Commission? STRAUSS: I do. OLYMPIA: Yes. MIYASATO: Could you please state your names and residents? 5 EXHIBIT G