2016-04-21 Leeward Exh C (SMA 16-063)

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PALMA-GLENNIE: My name is Janice Palma-Glennie and I reside in Keauhou, Kona. I wanted to quickly mention that the cost of applying for standing for contested case has gotten really high. My group who I represent, not today in my testimony, but on the ex com, is Surfrider Kona Kai Ea, and we are going to help, we, you know, are committed to helping Simmy McMichael, pay for those fees. But they are really high, and I wish the County would consider lessening the fees so that the public can take part in the important part of the democratic process. As related to the Kahalu‘u proposal, if you live in, have driven through or spent any time in Kahalu‘u area, it doesn’t take a study to realize that in many respects it’s at its peak carrying capacity. If protecting the quality of life of residents, healthy and safe, natural environment, intact cultural resources, and a viable and sustainable economy are what the Commissioners and other decision makers are committed to, you’ll deny subdivision approval of the land in question, and, until, and if, the problems that are already exist due to over-development and lack of infrastructure in the area are addressed. I live in Keauhou. I also spend much of two months of the winter with my mother in a condo she rents on Ali‘i Drive. As a person who swam and surfed most days at Kahalu‘u two and a half, three decades ago, I can tell you that when my mother visits, that’s the only time I spend any concentrated time in the crowded area these days. Sadly, the park is basically inaccessible during peak beach hours due to lack of parking, beach space and space in the water. Often there are lines of people getting in and out of the water, making it feel more like New York City’s Coney Island than Hawai‘i. Ditto for La‘aloa or White Sands Beach Park; both are overloaded and beyond capacity during winter months when tourists use is at peak. Even in so called non-peak times the park and parking are overcrowded. Traffic, no matter how many roads are built, they are filled before connectors are built ad infinitum. I use Kuakini Highway to crawl to town and that’s not during rush hours. Crawling is the norm in both directions at most times of the day from Lako to Kam III. A recent depressing situations having to wait at the light and a line of cars coming up Kam III Road from KTA, it’s – let’s see, and I got nervous since \[inaudible\] – Keauhou normally takes a half hour exercise for me to go shopping, but with the new bypass, it’s only gotten worse not better. It will continue to do so without the apparently dead Ali‘i Parkway, which was the main artery proposed to alleviate traffic to and from the area. I feel strongly that this development is untimely. I appreciate that there are protections for some cultural sites, but not enough according to many who are more savvy. Nor are there infrastructure, let’s see, nor other infrastructure issues particularly roadway is even possible to address. As a person who has been directly involved in the creation and ongoing work of the Kona Community Development Plan, I question whether this plan sets the parameters. Somewhat uncharacteristically representatives of this development proposal have not presented their proposal for comment at the Action Committee level or members of the community, and that that group in particular can address concerns regarding its adherence to Smart Growth standards, which is CDP now as an ordinance proposes, or includes — UNGER: Kala mai, can you — 11 EXHIBIT C