HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.019 2020-2022 From: Travis Cummings
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2022 9:59 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Villegas, Rebecca; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Chung, Aaron; Inaba, Holeka; Kierkiewicz,
Ashley; Kimball, Heather; Richards, Tim; David, Maile; Lee Loy, Sue;Avalon Paradea;
maki@pogg.net
Subject: Opposition to Bills 112 and 115
Aloha County Council Members, CD
My name is Travis Cummings and I am from Kalaoa. I now live in Waikoloa village, District 8.
I am testifying against Bill 112 and Bill 115. 1 do not support the passing of these bills as they stand.
My concerns cover three main topics.
1. Natural and cultural resources.
2.Available water and traffic infrastructure.
3.Actuality of affordable housing.
This State has a long history of ingnoring the Hawaiiana of all places, Waikoloa being no exception.All development in these areas
must put priority on protecting anchialine ponds, historic trails and historic features of the area.The developement plan as released
does little to address widespread community concerns over these protected and treasured natural and cultural features.
Further,we all know these golf courses have become favored habitat of several protected native birds. Nene goose, koleia, ulili and
other native species have found ways to utilize the area as it is now. While the developer's plan mentions green spaces and public
parks, I rightly wonder if the trade off is equitable for the native species currently using the area.
Will this drainage pond they envision be safe for nene goose? Because the neve will likely use it. Where in the plan do they discuss
these ecological impacts? How is it year 2022 and we are still able to blithley ignore the non-human inhabitants?
Moreover, I would like to see a pledge to landscaping with native plants. Planting native plants is the most basic level of protecting
native bugs and birds. Instead of"giving donations to charitable organizations"they should work with local non-profit organizations
to restore native habitat.Anything less is a cope out.Giving "donations"to these organizations is helpful but what they need is
cooperation.
That statement is however based on a total assumption.The development plan does not specify what organization they will donate
to. I'm only assuming they mean"Waikoloa/local area based"organizations such as the Dry Forest Initiative,Ala Kaha Kai,or any
number of conservation partnerships in the area. Not to mention those folks still trying to clean up unexploded ordinance.The
developers should really spell out what they mean by"donations". Because right now it looks like some moral trade off, "padding
themselves on the back" nonsense. Either pledge to help restore native habitats or don't redevelop at all.
If they are going to fill the green spaces with more royal ponciana trees and Home Depot palm trees-then its kind of like they didn't
make a green space.Their"donations"will mean nothing as they would have just created another corrupted suburban blight. If the
new Waikoloa Highland shopping centre developers can make and fulfill a pledge to use native plants in landscaping-this new
development can too
While the original development of a titanic golf course was both a shame and a waste of water,the development plan now does little
to persuade me that this new development plan is an improvement from an ecological stand point.
The Waikoloa area is already a dry,dry place. Fun fact, Waikoloa Village was just evacuated due to a fire for THE FIRST TIME EVER in
August 2021. Do the developers understand that this is where the Waikoloa area is going? Drier. Is this new developement less
water thirsty than their golf course?Signs point to no. It will will be more thirsty. Comm. . .r
Ref.To;
1 Ref.Do
Its nice they have secured a water company to supply them that honors the name "Waikoloa" (water carried far)but shouldn't we
discuss the viability of putting more people in what is essentially non-habitable land?The whole of the Waikoloa resort area is highly
artificial.Why continue the artifice and place more people in an area where there is no water? If water is being piped in from
Waimea/Kohala this is the very definition of unsustainable development.
Further, besides the water resources the traffic infrastructure resources are still far behind what is warranted for the current
Waikoloa population.Already the intersections from the resort area to the Queen Ka'ahumanu highway require obtuse "wrong way"
signage to prevent people from getting into the wrong lanes. Or signs to encourage them to speed up before merging on to the
highway. Perhaps I am simply reacting to the idea of a new development BEFORE Waikoloa Village has received a signal light.The
intersection into Waikoloa Village is easily one of the most dangerous on the west side of the island. I have a hard time with the idea
of increasing traffic before we can safely handle what we have.
And finally,what on earth does affordable housing mean to these developers? I want that spelled out.On Oahu there have already
been several promises of"affordable housing"that in the end are so far from "affordable"that it really shouldn't have been a
promise. Let us see what they mean by"affordable"before they are approved.
Why even promise affordable housing?What they are offering is not even helpful. Do they want housing for their hotel workers?
Because right now I would estimate over 251(conservative estimate)of their work force is driving over from Hilo or taking the Hele-
On from far flung locations.The percentage of affordable housing they are offering is a pittance of what is needed. It is almost
insulting.
Not just to cover their workforce-but for the massive amount of multigenerational overcrowded homes currently in Waikoloa
Village. I would demand that any affordable housing built be reserved for ACTUAL Waikoloa residents, but that would be so unfair to
the humble people taking the Hele-On here from Puna.
Please reject this rezoning until we have assurances it does less damage than a golf course.
Mahalo for your time.
Travis Cummings
96738
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