2017-06-01 Hearing Transcript - Kau CDP

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CROSS: I'm John Cross. I live in Hakalau. I work in Ka`u. That is why I'm a non-voting member of the Steering Committee. I used to be the vice-president of real estate for C. Brewer. Managed 31,000 acres of land in Ka`u. Liquidated most of that land. Then, I worked for Ed Olson Trust with about 10,000 acres in Ka`u. And, I've resigned from the Olson Trust if you hadn't heard. I am no longer working for Ed Olson. I am now working for a firm called "Ka`u Valley" that owns 1,600 acres in Ka`u. So, I'm, I'm rapidly disappearing. I advocated large landowners on the Steering Committee, and one of my biggest issues was what I thought was a taking. A taking of, of private property rights. The setback being one. Other issues, changing of zone. And, I argued for the—against the quarter mile setback. And, we have had, have a very powerful Steering Committee Chairman, Leina`ala Enos, and she said to me, "John, listen. It's what the people of Ka`u want. It's not what you want." And, I had to then step back and say, "yes, it is what the people of Ka`u wanted." It may be my desire to have less than a quarter mile, but that's for the future to decide, and that's for the County Council or the General Plan and someone else to take those things. It's not gonna happen now. So, as such, I agreed with the CDP. I like what we as a community have presented to you. We do have a document that represents what the people of Ka`u want. HENKEL: I thank all of you very much. There's only the four of you, and two of you were on the Steering Committee, right? Or, three of you? Would you like to add anything? Give you a little more time? GALIMBA: I'm good. HENKEL: Would anybody else like to testify? EBERT (from audience): Yeah. HENKEL: Well, let's—you guys can return to your seats, and we have one more gentleman if you would like to sign up. Yeah, please come up and be seated. Would you raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter before the Planning Commission? EBERT: Yes, sir. HENKEL: Thank you. Please state your name and where you reside, and you can have three minutes, sir. EBERT: My name is Ron Ebert, and I reside at Punalu`u, just mauka of the highway down there between Pahala and N5'alehu. And, I want to just say that I think that the CDP, the document is much more than just a quarter mile setback. I know that everybody is really keen on that, but there are things that have to do with public safety. One thing that has to do with public safety is a little subdivision that was pre in place before, and there is no ingress and egress and it's in the CDP. One thing that I wish was in the CDP but I think that they thought was being taken care of was Kawa Flats. Still floods after all these years, and it would just be an advocacy point for the State Highway Department. EXHIBIT C 10