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• ' May 19, 2016 Hawai`i County Planning Department Attn: Hamakua CDP / LeAna Gloor, Project Planner 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 FEEDBACK RE: Designation of Parcel 055 as Important Agricultural Land (IAL) in the proposed CDP for Hamakua. Aloha Ms. Gloor and CDP, County of Hawaii: First, I would like to thank members of the Planning Department and CDP committee members for their commitment to preserve the natural beauty and rural character of the Hamakua Coast, goals I endorse. The Hamakua draft CDP reflects the hard work and thoughtful planning of those who participated in its production. When we purchased our 3.955 acre parcel in 2004 (TMK 3-5-004-055), it was as it is now, designated Low Density Urban (LDU) with a paved, County-maintained road as well as water and electrical service. At that time, the acreage had been retired from cane sugar production since the early 1990s and was overtaken by Guinea Grass. Three structures on the property had fallen into severe disrepair and were a neighborhood eyesore. We have spent the last 12 years rehabilitating the property to align with its LDU designation as well as the applicable Ag20 restrictions. At present, approximately 2.3 acres of our property is used as pasture since it is unsuitable for row crops due to its steepness, rocky soil and two swales which prevent easy access front to back. The remaining approximately one and one-half acres hosts two houses (separately metered), and their detached garages as well as a small area of semi-level land along a portion of its makai boundary which is suitable for part-time, small-scale agriculture and gardening activities. Needless to say, upon reviewing the CDP, I was surprised to note that it proposes a change in our LUPAG designation from LDU to IAL (Important Agricultural Land). I am writing to request that our parcel retain its LDU designation for the reasons outlined below. 1