HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0573.009 2020-2022 F
COMM,573
CHRISTOPHER J. YUENP.O.Box 5
ATTORNEY AT LAW Ninole,HI 96773
Telephone: ($48)963-6966
e-mail: chrisyuenz@hotmail.com
January 13, 2022
Re: Com. 573, Papa`ikou Public Access
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Dear Finance Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Members of the Committee.QC
The public has worked long and hard within the system to get the County to acquire a publi a _-
access to Papa`ikou Mills Beach. The Council has twice passed resolutions calling on the
administration to use eminent domain, if necessary. The second resolution,No. 732-20,passed
8-0, with one member absent.
More than 14 months have gone by since Resolution No. 732-20 was passed. We have seen no
action by the County administration to implement it.
Papa`ikou Mills Beach is one of the few spots north of Hilo with easy access into the water from
a sand beach. There is no officially recognized public access to the shoreline between Honoli'i
and Onomea, a distance of about four miles. The Papa`ikou community and the general public
deserve a guaranteed access to this beautiful spot.
It has been argued that the private landowner currently allows access. I suggest that the
councilmembers review the 261 letters and emails it received on Res. No. 732-20. There are
many comments about difficulties with the privately-controlled access. This situation has been
full of conflict.
This land purchase would guarantee permanent public access that does not depend upon the will
of the current or future owners of the property.
Res. No. 732-20 declares that"it is in the public interest to acquire a public right-of-way to the
beach at Papa`ikou" and goes on to describe the location of the public access easements that
should be acquired. According to the County Charter, §3-1, "the legislative powers of the county
shall be vested in the county council. Its primary function shall be legislation and public policy
formulation, as distinct and separate from the executive administration of county government."
Res. 732-20 was clearly an exercise of the Council's legislative powers, and it declared the
public policy of the county: to aquire public access to Papa`ikou Mills Beach. The County
administration should not ignore or override this decision by the Council.
Yours truly,
Chris Yuen
Ref. To:No.
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Ref. Date JAN 1 9 2022