HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0315.028 2020-2022 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAZ'I
August 3, 2021 RECEIVED ',_/
Time 11'.510..m. By
Re: Support of Resolution 161
Date AUG 0 4 202
Aloha Chairman David and other members of the Council,
Our names are Carol Fong and Jeremy Vaeni and we make this testimony in support of
Resolution 161.
We moved to Ka'u in 2016. We were looking for a home in which to live out the rest of our lives
and we immediately knew when we found it on South Point Road. We consider ourselves
neighbors of Kiolaka'a,which is a little over 2 miles east of us.
Over the past 5 years, we have come to realize that the home we found for ourselves is, in fact, a
natural sanctuary for wildlife and native plants. Living here is a responsibility. We have been
re erve its energy.
to take care of andprotect this land and those livingon it. We need to preserve
called p
The land here, in Ka'u, is different. It is different from Waimea, from Kona, from Hilo. This
land is special. Not only is it expansive, open and breathtakingly beautiful, but there is also
history here--and not just a history of the past. It is a history of the past, present and future. It is
all here, simultaneously. It is a living history full of life and beauty.
However, in the short time that we have been here, we have seen the increase in building and
development; the clearing of the lots of land; the cutting down of the trees. We've seen how
much more litter there is on the side of the roads. Things are changing and not all in good ways.
COVID has changing things. People are fleeing the mainland to escape and property values are
skyrocketing. Supply is well below the demand, and now more than ever, people are snatching
up whatever they can get here.
We have in the potential purchase and preservation of Kiolaka'a a rare opportunity that may not
ever come again. These are coastal lands--prime real estate for any new potential homeowner or
developer--and we understand that the current Las Vegas based owner of Kiolaka'a has already
submitted plans for subdivision of the land.
We need to make sure this land and all the heritage and life it holds are protected for future
generations. We have a chance—NOW. We CANNOT waste this opportunity.
My husband and I respectfully add our voices in support of Ala Kahakai Trail Association's
request for funding for the purchase and preservation of Kiolaka'a. The Trail Association is the
only organization to have stepped up to do this, and thankfully they have shown themselves to be
more than capable of protecting Ka'u.
Mahalo for allowing the submission of this testimony and for taking the time to read it.
Aloha,
Carol Fong and Jeremy Vaeni
93-1786 South Point Road
Naalehu, HI 96772
Comm. No. 30 ' v
Ref. To: itIkA a
Ref. Date _ UG - 4 2021