2018-05-03 Hearing Transcript - Hamakua CDP

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and when the Hamakua CDP says things like the objectives are to encourage development so that they are not coastal dependent to move somewhere else, that makes perfect sense because you have this resource. It also made sense to just protect the views, protect the beauty of it, and all of that. So, what happens is this one parcel of land that we all know about has been very controversial in the sense that the community wants to try to protect that land as much as we can as long as we can. And, that's what's been going on. So, again, I think the Steering Committee did an incredibly fantastic job of patience and everything else to weigh this thing out. I think the CDP makes perfect sense the way it is, and the only thing that bothers me is some of the comments that you will hear about threats—again, this has been brought up a couple times. We won't stand for this; we won't stand for that. And, you know, I just think you need to understand that the developer in this particular case bought it as Industrial. He bought in a Special Management Area. He keeps it in a Special Management Area. He keeps it Industrial. Nothing changes. Nothing changes for him, and that's the way it is. Thank you. K. FORBES: Hi. I'm Ken Forbes from Hakalau. I had a little more here, but I think I can cut it down for you. I just wanted to make one point just to reinforce a lot that has been said at this table. As you know the PONC commission is charged with prioritizing an island -wide list of lands worthy of preservation from development. That's their whole purpose, and the Commission rated Hakalau Point highly, and the County Council voted to make an offer to purchase. The purchase didn't work out, and I have no problem with that. That just didn't work out, but my point is that the commission's finding and this community view that we're presenting to you is saying much the same thing. This is property that's worthy of preservation, and the petitions on Hakalau Point done at the time indicated that as well, about 600. Thank you. S. FORBES: I'll be very brief. This is our 42nd meeting dealing with the Hamakua Community Development Plan. We've looked at issues from all sides and heard many, many views and worked out hard points. There has been great consistency over time. I've said that before. I would just say one of the things that we took into account was Hawaii State laws as it relates to Coastal Zone Management, and I know you've heard a special presentation on that, but there is a particular section under program objectives and policies. It says encourage those developments that are not coastal dependent to locate in inland areas, and that's what we've been seeking related to Hakalau Point and other coastal areas. So, that's all I have to say, and I thank you all for your attention to this. CLARKSON: Thank you, all. Are there any questions of these testifiers from any Commissioner? If not, thank you. Please be seated. I just want to remind everyone that this isn't the last chance for you to testify. From here, whatever comes out of this meeting today, hearing today, it would go to the County Council for their consideration. You can all make your case again before the Council, and then at subsequent hearings on SMA's, rezones, so I'm going to assure you that there's plenty of opportunity to make you case whichever way you feel about EXHIBIT D 21