HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0896.206 2022-2024From: tawn
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 8:59 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony: Bill 169, Draft 3 - Tawn Keeney
Testimony- Bill 169, Draft 3
Tawn Keeney, Honokaa
I am recent chair of the Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee. I have read
the statement of the Kona Action Committee in regards to this bill. I have also watched the video
record of the Council meeting (I believe July 10) in which the Planning Department Deputy Director
presented testimony regarding the Planning Department's position on this Bill, part of which ran
counter to the CDP Action Committee's position, particularly in regards to the approach to preserving
the elements of cultural significance of the area, and control of potential and historical flood waters.
I appreciate the Kona Action Committee's initiative to provide testimony on this issue as I believe
that it responds to the directive of the County Code Section 16-6 which states:
The Duties and Responsibilities of the (Action) Committee are:
(1) Provide ongoing guidance and advocacy to advance implementation of the CDP goals,
objectives, policies, and actions.
(2) .... This is then followed by 10 more 'Duties and Responsibilities'
Nowhere in the County Code does it direct or imply that this guidance and advocacy' is to be
directed toward the Planning Department only. The Planning Department is designated only as
'Administrator' of the Action Committee. In fact, to be an effective advocate for the Community
Development Plan demands that advocacy and guidance be applied wherever it will be most needed
(within the rules of law) to fulfill the policies and vision of the CDP. Thus, it is appropriate that the
Action Committee would present the conclusion of its consideration to your body, or to the Mayor, or
to the Public, wherever implementation of the Plan can be served, as well as to the Planning
Department.
The important question is "How do we get closer to understanding what the People whose lives
are effected would want the Council to decide." The principle that is followed is that of representative
government. Your County Council is functioning thusly. On the District level, one step closer to the
Public's input on any issue before it, the CDP Action Committee expresses that will of the Public. It
does so in two ways. First by being a microcosm (representatives) of that Public and thus an
advocate for the Communities. Second, it does so by applying the directives of the District's
Community Development Plan which has been created by that Public to serve its collective vision.
If there is contention between the judgment of the Planning Department and the Community
Development Plan Action Committee regarding this Bill's adherence to the directives of the Kona
Community Development Plan, then please ask yourselves which perspective would most likely
serve the vision and desires of the Public residing within the District concerned. Isn't that the
important question here?
I wish you well in that decision.
Tawn Keeney
Honokaa,96727