HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0898.096 2020-2022 P/Councii
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COMM.Bas
From: Renee Inaba
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 12:11 PM
To: Council Testimony
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Subject: Support for Bill 194 w .�
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Council Agenda 4/19/2023
Hawaii County Council Members,
We are writing in support of Bill 194. We believe it is both prudent and necessary to override the recent
Mayoral Veto on this matter.
Bill 194, already passed via our elected Council membership prior to the Veto, was widely viewed as a positive
step toward more transparency for zoning extensions or changes in use. If the current process is used without
addition of the guard rails designed in Bill 194, the public voice and community input is made virtually silent.
Great concern should be factored in for pending,future and even recently extended permits.The"landscape" has
changed on our island as well as infrastructure and other conditions.The public is acutely aware of the problems that
are near and dear to them in our communities.The Community is going to have input on real day to day concerns as well
as prospective future issues with land use and development, i.e., not solely a developer or special interest focus toward
profit. Leaving such decisions, final decisions outside of people's opportunity to share their own mana'o on the
situation/s is unwise. It really is simply a matter of making the best decisions possible for our people,for the land, and
for our future. It takes consideration of many voices and perspectives to get this right.
We know that it's not obligatory for people to weigh in as to their concerns.We also know that when you get letters, or
oral comments, or other input from members of yhe community there are many still out there that remain silent and
assume the voices that you are hearing represent them.This is perhaps an awkward way of saying that for every
response or comment you get, there are many more that hold the same view and for one reason or the other don't
speak up. Usually those by-standers will speak up once they see that logic and public interest has not been duly heard.
194 provides a better vehicle to get those views heard perhaps avoiding the more challenging ways that have in the past
created protest.
It important to be sure that there is a safeguard to preserve transparency and uphold accountability to our communities
" and to what is legally proper. It is also so very important to avoid actual conflicts of interest,the appearance of conflicts
of interest, and other concerns that can drive decisions that ultimately do not serve the public or our island. Special
interests and lobbying by big money parties such as developers has the potential to weight the scales against the public
and the future of our lands. Bill 194 would seem to illuminate areas of concern and allow a path of transparency and
sharing related to current events, current conditions, additional costs to the county that are often hidden unless
discussed with clearer public input and vetting. Had this measure been in place sooner there would be examples where,
with additional information and transparency, different decisions may have been made.
Bill 194 seems to be pono action to establish a feedback channel and a public voice to be heard in consideration of
important land use topics and situations. It is an important step to rebalance the scales for our people and for the aina
that sustains us all. Hearing, listening, learning, assessing in a community and island centric way is so important in how
we move forward together. Q' Q�
Comm. fpm. u ' b
1 Ref. To: P (�11dhU
Ref. Date APR 1 9 2023
Please reaffirm the Council's support and commitment to public voice and transparency and pass Bill 194 once
again. It's the right decision for today and for our future. Mahalo for your consideration and attention to this
important matter.
Respectfully submitted,
Derek and Renee Inaba
Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i
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