HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0896.228 2022-2024TESTIMONY
Bill 169 — Draft 3
November 20, 2024
Aloha and congratulations. I am Joel Gimpel, Vice President of Pualani Estates at Kona and I trust that
your October 15 visit to the Royal Vistas K3LLC property demonstrated and clearly proved that all of
the arguments against enactment of Bill 169 are valid. Indeed, each one of the arguments, including the
need to protect and preserve the irreplaceable cultural resources identified by the CRC in its report, the
dangers from flooding as testified to by experts, the community development plan violations noted by
the Kona Community Development Plan Committee, the inevitability of serious traffic jams due to the
absence of adequate highway infrastructure in the foreseeable future as noted by many community
members, and the failure to assure truly affordable housing in the long term, would justify your
denying passage of Bill 169. Taken together, we believe it's clear that the Bill must be soundly
defeated, and applaud you for your thorough examination and review of all the evidence.
In August, you wisely voted to approve Resolution 561-24, introduced by Councilwoman Villegas,
authorizing the County Commissioner of Finance to initiate discussions with the property owner to
acquire the property using PONC funds in order to protect and preserve the historic and culturally
important site. Such a purchase would also help the property owner recover his costs and a fair profit,
thus leaving everybody in a good position.
Mahalo for your careful and prompt consideration of this matter.
Joel Gimpel
Vice President, Pualani Estates at Kona