HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0896.089 2022-2024 P /LAAG
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COMM.F%
County Council Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions
Testimony to OPPOSE Bill 169 (Draft 2)June 18, 2024
Aloha, Chair and Committee members,
My name is Deborah Ward, I have resided in East Hawaii for over 40 years, and I am c (pc)
testifying solely on my own behalf. -4
I OPPOSE passage of Bill 169 Draft 2 for several reasons.
I have walked the boundaries of this land in my position as a member of the PONC
commission in 2022, and I wrote the favorable summary for the Mayor's annual report,
based not only on the documents provided by the residents and also on my own research
and that available in public records. In my observations,the cattle ranching of the last
century has disrupted or obliterated the archeological record of use by native Hawaiians in
centuries past, but some evidence remains. The land remains in open space, and has
been open since ranching ceased and was purchased for development nearly 40 years ago.
A lot has changed in 40 years!The demand for housing is higher than ever, but this
development does not propose affordable housing for local residents, it proposes to
expand the use of STVRs, and only 10%would be developed in the"affordable"category, so
that 90%would be for high income purchasers. This is not what we need!
Extension of development rights granted 40 years ago requires new consideration of the
situation based on the advice of the folks hired or appointed to give you advice and
recommendations.
1)The historical record and the observations of Jackson Bauer,Trails and Access Specialist
with the State of Hawaii Na Ala Hele Program indicate that extensive agricultural field
systems are present above and within the Property, and that mauka-makai trails
were known to connect these fields with the coastal villages and fisheries, and that many
of these trails continued to be used into the 20th century. He recommended preservation of
the land in open space.
2)Extensive communication with the Cultural Resources Commission by area residents of
native Hawaiian heritage attest to the significance of the parcels in question relate to the
historical,familial, and spiritual connection to the land in question. These local families
made urgent please to protect he land from development.
3)The Leeward planning Commission made an unfavorable recommendation for this time
extension.
4)The FEMA flood maps indicate that the property has significant risk of major flooding
along two waterways that would be exacerbated by surface hardening or development.
Como. N•. e • I• on
Ref. To: I t1l'Jiff
Ref. Dote 41.1141 8.. 2024
The characterization by the prospective developers that opposition is being rallied by
NIMBY residents is incorrect:the cultural and lineal descents made a compelling case, and
I do not understand why the Council would disregard this counsel, the research of the state
trails specialist, the negative recommendation of the Cultural Resources Commission and
the unfavorable recommendations of the Leeward Planning Commission. I urge you to
reconsider.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
Deborah Ward P.O. Box 918 Kurtistown HI 96760
cordylinecolor@gmail.com
808-769-2403