HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0363.002 2020-2022 1
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Written Testimony for Comm. 363 August 16,2021
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAVI
County CouncilRECZIVED�;W
County of Hawaii Time
A1,
Hawai'i county Building AUG
25 Aupuni Stre t Dates
Hilo,Hawaii,96720
Aloha Kakou Council Members,
My name is Gilbert Aguinaldo of Aguinaldo 4 LLC born and raised in Pahoa and Puna resident for 49
years from the sugar plantation era till now. I'm providing my written testimony on Comm. 363
pertaining to update status of the Pahoa Bus Hub..
As we all know July 31, 2021 there was a community meeting held by County of Hawaii Mass Transit
Agency and Hawaii County Mass Transit consultant SSFM Cheryl Soon led the presentation which
pertains to the 6 potential possible Hub and Spoke sites in Pahoa that was identified clearly and an
informational hand out was presented to the community. This meeting was to gather input from the
community as it was finalizing on moving forward on their selection site for Hub and Spoke for Puna.
Friday August 2, 2019 there was a newspaper article from Hawaii Tribune Herald Puna mulls bus hub
sites.
As of August 2019 thru December 2019 Aguinaldo 4 LLC and its representatives has been
communicating with County of Hawaii Administration, various County Departments and County of
Hawaii Mass Transit Agency as they were doing their due diligence by scheduling Polynesian Adventure
Tours and Roberts Hawaii to test their buses as they were and are the County's service provider for our
Hele On at that time. Aguinaldo 4 LLC property then was selected and recommended by SSFM Cheryl
Soon as she said this property is ideal, very open and spacious, has already developed and has
everything we are looking for. Based on the recommendation of County of Hawaii Consultant SSFM,
County of Hawaii property management then contacted Aguinaldo 4 LLC to do a site visit for themselves
as it was identified as the selected site so that they can move forward on a RFP for a appraisal firm to do
the appraisal which than was completed in November 2019.
December 2019 Aguinaldo 4 LLC received a purchase agreement from County of Hawai'i Corp Council
with a purchase price and requirements. If agreed Aguinaldo 4 LLC then needed to sign and returned
with FA Study, K2 Survey, Tax Clearance and become a vendor which was advised of us to provide and
do. (be advised that prior to submitting any form of documents relating to an interest of something that
doesn't belong to you that it has done its due diligence when engaging in a contractual agreement)
December 20, 2019 County of Hawaii Finance Department submitted a bill for an ordinance amending
the Capital Budget to Council Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council comm. 701 Mass Transit
Comm. No
Ref. To:
Ref. ate AU 202j
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Bill 131. Received by County Clerk December 20, 2019 at 11:50am. Department of Finance request for
Council Action Form 4: 8-52 Department: Mass Transit Agency dated December 18, 2019. A. Rawest: B.
Background and justification (use additional sheets as needed)
Mass Transit Master Plan projected "land acquisition"to occur in FY 20-21, but land for Pahoa Hub
became available this fiscal year(FY19-20). Also projecting to start some construction/planning/design
on CIP project. Referencing Comm. 701 and Bill 131 (note it clearly stated land acquisition)
December 22, 2019 Hawaii Tribune Herald released an article for public transparency to the community
from County of Hawaii Mass Transit Agency, Mass Transit moves forward with bus hub Agency seeks
funds to by property in Pahoa. County is looking to purchase property at the intersection of Pahoa
Bypass Road and Pahoa Kapoho Road for the Hub (referencing to site 6 TMK(3) 1-5-003-037:0000), The
"selected site" which was recommended by SSFM has already been developed with a concrete access
driveway,three buildings have water and electricity.
December 23, 2019 RE: Bill No. 131 with County of Hawaii project data/financial impact statement fiscal
year 2019-2020 was also introduced to Hawai'i County Council signed by Maile David Chairperson
Committee on Finance and approved by Aaron Chung Council Chair,
Reference Comm. 701, Bill No. 131 and Ordinance No. 20 15 passed its second reading February 5, 2020
and approved by Mayor Harry Kim February 19, 2020(note on the I"page Section 3, This ordinance
shall take effect upon its approval)
Note: Comm. 701. Bill No. 131 and Ordinance No. 20 15 relates to the Hub and Spoke for Puna based on
the site selection and recommendation from the County Of Hawai'i hired consultant SSFM that created
and provided the County of Hawai'i Mass Transit Master Plan started early 2018 and completed early
2019 and site selection done late 2019
During the 2 County Council meetings relating to Bill 131 January and February 2020 there was a lot of
written testimony and live testimony during February 5,2020 County Council Meeting in Hila supporting
Bill 131 referencing comm. 701. Which later Bill 131 was approved with County Council
April 2021 my legal representatives received an email that our property is in consideration from County
of Hawaii managing director Lee Lord then May 2021 a withdrawal letter stating our site is now not
considered based on our team's recommendation that our property doesn't meet the requirements of
2-4 avers, Members in the community, myself and my legal team have read all 180+ pages of the County
of Hawa'i'i Mass Transit Master Plan that was completed by SSFM,there is no indication nor
recommendation or specification of a specific size of property required.
My Ohana was bound to our County authorities and requirements for over 2 years as we signed and
agreed to the contractual documents provided by County of Hawaii Corp Council for wanting to
purchase our property,
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Please note that County of Hawai'i and all public documents provided that each Council Member
reviewed and approved Coram No, 701, Bill 131 relates to the department request for council action B.
Background and Justification.
My Ohana deserves a through explanation on these related matters as the statement of 2-4 acres is not
accurate or justifiable as there is no written verbiage or language written in the County of Hawaii Mass
Transit Master Plan. I also notified our legal team to notify County Carp Council that there shall be no
action or amendment taking place during the documents being reviewed by both legal teams.The
County of Hawaii has put me and my Ohana in a position for legal representation.
I've heard enough from our community members pertaining to where is our Bus Hub, we need
transportation, my car is in the repair shop, it broke down, gas prices rising, rental cars on the rise and
we've seen more abandon vehicles on State Hwy's, County Roads and private roads that the County of
Hawai'i needs to pay for. Community struggling due to the pandemic Hawaii is facing already, We all
can make a difference by Malama (care/love) each other, hang pu kekahi (work with each other) put all
the differences aside and start making a difference as you all can by working together.
Ma afo, Stay Safe and Be Safe,
i ert A inal o
Aguinaldo�4 C