HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0314.007 2020-2022 2t1
August 2, 2021
Council Chair Maile David and Council Members
County of Hawai'i
Hilo Council Office
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo HI 96720 C® TY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAVI
Kona Council District Offices C Z
vEn
74-5044 Ane Keohoklole Highway, Building A Ti �� t►1.
Kailua-Kona HI 96740 Date AUG 0 2 1021
Dear Chair David and Council Members,
RE: Opposition to Bill 52 and 53
I would like to go on record in strong opposition to both Bill 52 and Bill 53,to change the land use
designation from Agriculture to Urban and allow subdivision of the lot respectively,
While I understand the need to find funds for the County in the current economic climate, rezoning this
particular parcel of agricultural land to an urban subdivision would be trading long term sustainability
for a short term gain with unacknowledged consequences for the future.
I grew up on a macadamia nut farm and went to school with other children who also lived and worked
on small farms in the Kona Acres subdivision.The work that goes into putting food on the table taught
us the value of hard work and to respect the land that sustains us. Although our farm was just an acre
and a half, it put my sister and I through college. We were the first in our family to graduate with
degrees and this would not have been possible without that agricultural designation.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how fragile our food supply is and the need to create on-island food
sources. I remember growing up and having fruit trees and vegetable gardens on our farm. We were
able to harvest what we could eat and give the rest away to our neighbors and friends. In turn our
neighbors and friends would drop off fruits and vegetable from their land. It created a sense of
community and pride in our land.The Council would be doing a disservice to the people by adding even
more urban subdivisions where short term rentals give way to transient communities and isolated
individuals who have no one to turn to when things get difficult. I have seen the lines on Oahu for free
food giveaways and the people who wait for hours for a bag of fruits and veggies because they have no
one in their community to give them a helping hand.
I respectfully request the Council to oppose Bill 52 and Bill 53.
Sincerely,
Lisa Edwards
Comm.
Ref. To, P PC
Ref. Date AUG - 3 2021