HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0896.063 2022-2024 P /mac
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CoMM.M
From: Derek Inaba
Sent: • Sunday, June 16, 2024 8:59 PM
c`a
To: Council Testimony C-
Subject: Oppose Bill 169, Kona Three LLC --- - -�
Aloha Council Committee Members Y `
I am a lifelong West Hawai'i resident having grown up in Holualoa and Kailua-Kona area.This community,
its safety and well-being mean a great deal to me. It is, I believe, our duty and sacred obligation as
citizens to give voice and action to the community's grave concerns about the proposed development of
the land between Pualani Estates and Kona Vista just mauka of the highway.
After testifying myself in several meetings to oppose any re-establishment of expired permits as well as
any extensions, I find it hard to believe these developers are continuing to receive an audience to
entertain these proposals.The public is clearly opposed for reasons that are wholly pono and aligned
with our values as kama'aina with multi-generational presence here in Hawai'i.
These issues,well documented and enumerated, e.g.waterway issues and flooding; assault of the lands
endangered and protected species, cultural, archeological, and historical aspects present on the land;
traffic and infrastructure risks and concerns; and many more issues. It's notable that the Kona Three LLC
business men have all but ignored, disregarded and dismissed these valid and documented issues with
their proposed development.
Original permits were initiated in 1984. It's not hard to see why things should be changed at this point and
not just reestablish these old permits or extend any additional continuance or extensions. In Kona, in
this area we already have thousands of houses which creates a lot of density.At the same time we find
ourselves intermittently with water restrictions, brown water advisories due to sewage spillage in the
West Hawaii area, rolling blackouts, and huge infrastructure strain that can simply not handle more
housing on our streets, in our schools, in our infrastructure, etc. Given their history and their formation of
LLC and statements they made in other forums,we can be assured when the problems occur they will be
long gone and we as long-term residents and taxpayers will be stuck with the bill or the problems that
they created.
I urge the Council to put an end to these extensions and even the consideration of additional building on
this ahupua'a.We've had enough,there is too much here already, and the land has had enough.With
global warming and the strain on the environment, if we don't preserve open spaces with trees and flora
and fauna we are destroying our own environment. Perhaps we didn't understand this well enough in the
past but we know it now and to ignore it would be pure folly.To ignore it to feed somebody else's profit
motive while they destroy our land and important aspects of our culture as well as risk our safety and
infrastructure it's worse than folly, it's simply dangerous and ignorant of the reality of the changes in the
last 40 years.
It is my hope and prayer that the current 2024 seated Hawai'i County Council will respect and honor the
heart and facts provided by this community and put an end to parties that enter our communities with
Comrrn. . • UP)
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Ref. Dote JUN 1 8 2024
what can only be false claims of community support when they have shown what seems like nothing but
contempt for our people or communities our lands and preservation of our few remaining cultural areas.
While their stories are constantly changing,the land and our people are steadfast. This land and its
waterways and trails and habitats should not be assaulted.The Cultural Resources Commission stated
without reservation that'this land should be preserved in perpetuity'. If the Committee system and
government procedures are to be believed and respected,the Council has no choice but to reject the
Kona Three LLC men's desire to reinstate expired 1984 permits and deny extensions.
Respectfully submitted,
Derek Y. Inaba -
Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i
derinabagmail.com
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