HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.049 2020-2022 3
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From: Chuck Lavis
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2022 11:37 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Kumu Hou Comments. A
Attn: Hawaii County Council Planning Committee Chair. 3-
I am a resident of the Kolea complex in the Waikoloa Beach Resort and would like to comme oA
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Kumu Hou proposal being brought forward by the Waikoloa Land Company. I generally suppct thrvx
proposal, especially the commitment to housing affordability and workforce housing. I would like to-bring
the committee up to date on some legacy challenges at Waikoloa Beach Resort that should be addressed 3
as part of the planning process for this project.
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The legacy of poor planning that created Cul-De-Sac resorts along the coast was highlighted at the
Leeward Planning Commission meeting regarding the project on Nov 18 2021. In that
meeting Chairman Mike Vitousek encouraged the developer to pursue inter-connectivity between the
resorts to ease traffic pressure onto the highway for people who are moving between Mauna Lani and
Waikoloa resorts. There appears to be a good opportunity to do this by extending Puakala Place roadway
to Na Ala Hale road in the Mauna Lani Resort. This connection is seen as acting as a traffic relief valve for i
the busy highway. While this is true, the recreational and commercial benefits could be even
more beneficial as visitors and residents could use this roadway for walking, running and cycling between
the resorts. A dangerous highway is not an option for most people and families looking to move between
the resorts without a car. Conceivably, a minor tweak to the gateway blocking Puako Beach drive at Mauna
lani to form a bike/walking path would allow access for pedestrians and cyclists all the way from Waikoloa
Beach Resort to Mauna kea. This would become an outstanding amenity that would offer visitors the option
of accessing all the coasts most popular beaches via bike or e-bike, negating the need for a car during
their stay. The flaw of residents and visitors from the more densely populated Waikoloa resort
could revitalize the decline in the Shops ant Mauna Lani Mall. I would encourage the committee to require 3
some farm of inter-connectivity between the resorts of Waikoloa and Mauna Lani.
Water:
Since the purchase of our local water utility by California Water Services, we have seen dramatic increases
in our water and sewer rates. At the Leeward Planning Commission meeting on Nov 18 2021
a representative of the developer indicated that they would be drilling a well. It is very important to the
existing residents of Waikoloa Beach that costs associated with supplying water and sewer infrastructure to
the new development are paid by the developer and not backloaded onto the community via rate hikes
post completion. California Water Services will account for every penny they had to spend on the
infrastructure at Kumu Hou at a subsequent Public Utilities Commission Meeting to justify rate hikes. One
of the advantages consistently mentioned in the proposal for Kumu Hou is affordability. That affordability
will degrade significantly for residents unless the cost of ALL water infrastructure is accounted for up front
and paid by the developer. I would encourage the committee to call upon representatives of California
Water Services during the planning process so the community can understand what the risks are in this
situation. Comm.No 4 `
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A-Bay Beach:
Arguably the most important amenity at Waikoloa Beach Resort is the beach at A-Bay. Unfortunately this
amenity is at serious risk of destruction due to erosion at the north end. Several years ago resort
management came up with a plan to raise the height of the retaining wall at the north end of the beach and
pump sand from offshore. The wall height would then match the south beach wall which was remediated
after the 2011 Tsunami. This plan was abandoned and we have seen significant erosion (Pics. attached)
and sand washing into the protected ponds. If the beach wall is breached, the ocean will begin flowing into
the ponds and begin eroding the beach southward. Due to the protected nature of the ponds, significant
approvals would be required before any remediation could be started in the event of a total breach. The
planning commission should discuss this serious matter with the developer as part of the application.
Perhaps some of the funds from the Waikoloa Foundation could be used to ensure this important part of
the resort is available for future generations.
Thanks you in advance for your review of my comments.
Chuck Lavis
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