HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0188.024 2020-2022 From: Setsuko Morinoue
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2021 1:26 AM
To: Council Testimony N
Subject: Res. 82-21: PAHOEHOE OF LA'ALOA
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Res. 82-21: PAHOEHOE OF LA'ALOA
TMK 7-7-008: 120 AND 124 Land Area (Acreage): 29.8 acres
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Dear County Committee, Commissioner and County Council Members,
Thank you for your sincere consideration in the acquisition for Pahoehoe of La'aloa
parcel. The amount of impact here would be significant if it remains a natural habitat. The
fact that the entire Kona area is significantly bought out by private owners with not enough
preservation along the shoreline and Mauka of Ali'i Drive is something to be
extremely mindful of.
We the community have had to change our beach going routines to add disinfectant to our
beach bags well before COVID19 hit our community. We were told and taught that the ocean
was to heal us. Now we guide our Ohana not to go to the ocean if you have open wounds
and to disinfect any cuts immediately to prevent vicious bacterial infections. Some of our
local people had the unfortunate cost of loosing a limb to save life from pollution on our
beaches, as well as ER visits which included powerful antibiotics to stop the infection from
spreading. This is not Hawai'i I know and by changing our landscape to invite more homes,
more gated communities with not enough natural landscapes is the wrong direction for the
future of our landscape, human health and the land to sea relationships. Our landscape is
supposed to have large trees and jungles. It has been significantly altered by the
replacement of homes, lawns and manicured low vegetation for the benefits of an ocean
view. This change has had significant consequences.
This 29.8 acres, would have the ability to help filter water run off as well as become a seed
saving and cultural preservation site for our community at large. This parcel would connect
Magic Sands Beach, Kipapa Park and would go all the way to Kuakini Hwy. IF the Res.81-21,
Magic Sands of La'aloa Parcel (8.8 acres) was also purchased, these properties would connect
and create an opportunity for conservation like never before in Kona.
We lack hiking trails on the west side of the island, where our community has a safe place to
enjoy and get connected to nature easily. These parcels could provide some hiking trails.
Our Kona landscape is developing the look and feel like the mainland and it does not reflect
who we are and where we come from. Because this parcel has many archaeological
structures and burials to preserve and to protect. It would be a wonderful opportunity as a
cultural educational space that will serve our community and welcome visitors from all over
the world for generations to come while protecting our land to sea relationship. We need a
sense of place that reflects who we are, and where we come from. This could help provide a
distinct cultural sense of place. roCI)
Comm. No '
1 Ref. To: p 2 0 2021
Ref. Dote
For the health and well being of our people, our culture, our Hawaiian Historical preservation,
our natural resources, our ocean and tourist industries. I find the purchase of this lot a
must.
This is an opportunity to be a part of a change that will bring positive impact to our people
and our economy. 29.9 acres to protect is a great impact. I would hate to see this area lost
to another mainland looking suburb that is too expensive for our local families to afford. The
role that an open space with natural landscape provides, far exceeds the monetary benefits
of any commercial and financial gain through more development.
Thank you for your time. I believe the cost to purchase all of the parcels that are up for
voting today is an opportunity that cannot slip away from us all. We must protect the
Ahupua'a system.
Aloha & Mahalo Nui Loa,
Setsuko Morinoue
Holualoa, HI 96725
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