HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0314.016 2020-2022 rll
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From: Nicole Nakamura
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2021 8:01 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written testimony for bill 52 and 53
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July 31, 2021
Aloha County Council Planning Committee, j
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My name is Nicole Kanani Nakamura. I am strongly opposed to Bill 52 and 53.The redesignation and rezoning of the Ward
Property. I was born and raised in Kona and now reside on Oahu. My father and brother are members of the affected community.
I believe there is a huge need in our communities for affordable housing. I do not believe this development will satisfy or even
come close to that need.Saying the development will be affordable without any intention to make the entire development
affordable is misleading. It is clearly apparent that the motivation for these developers is strictly monetary over all else.The
disregard for sense of community and ethics is deeply concerning.
I feel that we need to value our culture and protect our archaeological sites. Not see them as "piles of rocks"or to quote Kay Ward,
just "some um, nuts". It's difficult for visitors to grasp the history and importance of places they are not connected to or even
residents of.
I believe no effort has been made to try to understand the community or residents and their concerns about this development.
There have been multiple concerns.As seen in the Leeward Planning Commission meeting, one community concern was held
hostage for another concern by these developers.This is not respectful toward the surrounding community. I feel that this is
disreputable behavior.
Agricultural land is important to the sustainability of our island and state.The dire need for housing is not due to the lack of
residential area, but to the people moving here and grossly outbidding local families while paying in cash. I believe the problem lies
here.The answer is not to build more houses for even more wealthy outsiders to move here. It is to help hard working local residents
including teachers,firemen, policemen, hotel workers, etc.to be able to fairly compete with the mass amounts people moving to our
islands and outbidding them.
Please consider this testimony and vote in opposition to Bills 52 an 53 on August 3. Mahalo for our time and consideration.
Best regards,
Nicole Kanani Nakamura, Psy.D.
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