HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0136.042 2022-2024 P/1bbkc Nearif
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From: Peter Matlock ;
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Sent: Monday, May 15, 2023 11:28 AM
To: Council Testimony �n
Subject: Oppose Lako Extension Funding: Budget Line Item #29 --
Aloha Members of the County Council,
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the proposed Operating Budget and Capital
Budget for fiscal year July 1 , 2023 - June 30, 2024, which in line item #29 lists $1,500,000
toward a Lako Extension to Ali`i Drive.
Please oppose this funding.
The extension of Lako Street has been attempted previously, and each time was turned
down for good reason.
In 2008, the then-current Director of Public Works recommended the incoming Kenoi
administration "shelve the project." A mauka-makai connector road, La'aloa Avenue, was
opened in 2015 to help address tsunami evacuation and general access issues. In 2020 a
bill was introduced to amend the budget by adding $1M toward a Lako extension. There was
strong objection and the bill was dropped.
Arguments to extend Lako to facilitate emergency evacuation are belied by plans to
further develop this area as a commercial and residential area. The budget's assertion
that this will enable "affordable housing" is curious and, given lack of details, appears as
window dressing.
The major issue, however, is the continued attempt to pave over rich archaeological sites
that deserve preservation for cultural identity, history, and future well-being of everyone on
the Island. We continue to learn more about pre-contact Hawaiian culture and history, and
have increasingly better tools to learn from archaeological remains. Better understanding
of indigenous Hawaiian culture, agriculture, and practices is increasingly viewed to be
essential to navigate a future that is more and more uncertain—not least because of
climate change.
It is well past time to re-examine and establish new respect for rich archaeological sites,
the many Royal Centers in Kona, and the sacredness of these sites to Native Hawaiians.
This $1 .5 million can be better spent elsewhere. Please turn down this "camel's nose
under the tent" work to extend Lako Street. NOV Mahalo for your consideration, Comm. Na ��O V
1 Ref. To: VI MAW
Ref. Date MAY 1 6 2023
Peter Matlock
2