Comments Submitted Online or by Email

Home

Draft Hamakua CDP Comments Submitted Online or by Email During the March 15 — June 15 2o16 Review of the Draft Hamakua CDP Our Association supports all types of healthy productive forests and related forest industry, both native and non-native. We would like to suggest the following, more broad statement, by removing the word "native": "Encourage and support the expansion of agriculture, including forestry and the macadamia nut industry. (GP 14.2.4.7.2) Support the development of a hardwood industry. (GP 2.4.3.2 (c)); see also (GP 2.4.4.2 (e))." Comment 2: In another section, our association is concerned about the language in another section, which would appear to contradict the first. "Community Action 6: Educate residents on scenic viewshed importance and alternatives to tall, vegetative wind -breaks that impact viewsheds." We appreciate the desires to keep the Hamakua coast attractive for residents and visitors alike. However, we encourage you to consider that trees and other tall stature vegetation are indeed part of the viewshed in Hamakua, and far from detracting from it, add to the scenic qualities of this windward, moist and verdant coast. Trees, windbreaks and forests impart well known environmental benefits, such as soil stabilization, protection from high winds, and carbon sequestration. In Hawaii, trees have been planted for specific purposes, as fruit trees, to provide timber products, and to protect from drying and salt laden winds, among others. These are important purposes from those who live here, otherwise the trees would not have been planted to begin with. With this in mind, we ask that you consider revising the statement to read: "Community Action 6: Educate residents on scenic viewshed importance, reducing impacts to it as much as possible." About HFIA: The Hawai'i Forest Industry Association (HFIA) is a statewide nonprofit corporation established in Hawai'i in 1989 to promote healthy and productive forests and a sustainable forest industry through forest management, education, planning, information exchange, and advocacy HFIA has over 250 members, including professional foresters, millers, harvesters, growers, educators, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, governments, nonprofits, horticulturists, and others interested in HFIA's mission of healthy and productive forests. I thank you for your consideration of these comments, and look forward to a Hamakua Community Development Plan that encourages forestry, as well as other land uses. Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info