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are working hard on various things, but to kind of take that as an opportunity to approach the
<br /> State and say step up, you know, for the Big Island, step up for East Hawaii, and see where you
<br /> can get some of those funds re-directed to maybe even fund this effort a little bit. Because
<br /> they're all interconnected at this point. You know, it would help us to have a grand plan for how
<br /> to redevelop this side of the island with the flow going on. Private sector will respond over time
<br /> and you'll have resettlement, you'll have redevelopment, but if there's a guiding hand, there's a
<br /> good role to play there so I do wonder if there's an opportunity here for a bigger piece of funding
<br /> that could hopefully be funneled into various projects, possibly even this one, maybe even
<br /> Downtown Hilo. You know, something to get things restarted there. But the need is there, and I
<br /> think at least on this side the political will is there. So I just wanted to mention that and, you
<br /> know, I'll leave it to you guys to be the experts on how you figure that out.
<br /> KIM: If I may Mr. Gaddis, the meeting I just had before this one was just that. The request by
<br /> the State. First of all, I'm the last guy to back the State Legislature; I shouldn't have said that,
<br /> that's not true. But they're reaching out to us. They came out to the EOC on weekend meetings,
<br /> the State, the House, and the Senate, asking us what our needs are. And right now, I see this is
<br /> an opportunity for that. By this Friday I am supposed to finish a general plan, I don't know what
<br /> general means but as specific as possible, for our needs for a special session. And within that we
<br /> will identify these things. Our needs are great; number one priority may be directed towards the
<br /> Puna evacuees and develop community in a housing program long-term for them, but part of our
<br /> request, and maybe I shouldn't make this public but I'll take advantage of it and maybe get the
<br /> Senator's vote, that we want the re-evaluation in regards to the GET. And what that is, is
<br /> funding to allow us to do these things, because you are right, sir, you know this volcano—this
<br /> morning's discussion was nobody knows how long this will last but at this present state already
<br /> destruction is tremendous. The demand for hotels, I wish I was in the hotel business in Hilo, I'd
<br /> make a lot of money I think. Because we have to account for,plan for, the lack of hotel space in
<br /> the Volcano area and residential areas as well because of what is happening. But we will submit
<br /> to the State Legislature a special session, not wait for next session, in regards to additional
<br /> revenues and means of additional revenues and how we're going to spend it, and part of it will be
<br /> about our general fund expenditures to do just what we're talking about.
<br /> DELIMA: Councilmember you want to say anything? Go ahead.
<br /> LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. I just want to reflect on a couple of things. I also have a planner
<br /> hat so I absolutely agree with Kai, and DLNR needs to help with the funding. This is a new
<br /> reality for us. The events in Puna has triggered just a whole new reality for East Hawaii in
<br /> general. As the Councilmember for the district, there's 11 beach parks and they are really
<br /> beginning to feel the stress of all the beaches and beach areas that we lost down in Kapoho. And
<br /> so back to that new reality, besides the peninsula, we have to look at how just Hilo, so many
<br /> people are migrating to Hilo to just be family. So I really stand firm on a special session, maybe
<br /> some creative ways that the State can come up through those special funds. You know, that's
<br /> where I stand in all of this. And I just want to leave this one thought, with the events in Puna, in
<br /> Hawaiian language we call this hulilau [sic hulihia]. It's a transformative time. And if we're
<br /> looking for a goal, or a vision for the peninsula, maybe we should consider that, that hulilau, that
<br /> transformative time for economic development. So I hope that can be, maybe a driver. I also
<br /> agree with Michael, we need that EIS, we need a Master Planned EIS so we can start penciling
<br /> out some of the other stuff Those are my thoughts.
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<br /> Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency
<br /> July 25,2018 Minutes
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