HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0896.234 2022-2024From: Derek Inaba
COUNTY CLERK
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2024 9:47 PM
COUNTY 0F HANAI'
To: Council Testimony RECEIVED
Subject: OPPOSE Bill 169 Draft 3, Kona Three LLC (11/20/202'1}me $.-052 IT, HY
Date NOV 1 8 2024
Derek Inaba - Opposing any permits or extensions as outlined in Bill 169, Draft 3. No further consideration of extensions, delays, or
accomodations. This matter should be closed, property should be sold to the County was provided as available option. (HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING 11/20/2024).
Hawai'i County Council Members,
I continue to urge you to deny any zone changes, permits, or extensions as related to the request of Kona Three LLC partners. It is my
understanding that the County of Hawai'i is now authorized to enter into negotiations with Kona 3 LLC to purchase the parcels in
question and preserve these parcels and assure the safety of our communities.
As a lifelong resident of Holualoa and Kona, I am wholly opposed to any development in this area due to the catastrophic and costly
impacts development here will have for West Hawai'i, including but not limited to surrounding areas mauka and makai. Flooding and
significant infrastructure challenges should be sufficient reason enough to deny any permitting or extensions. As we have learned
from recent flooding and weather concerns this land has a huge impact on the safety and water flow management in and around our
communities and Kona.
The community has weighed in on this matter as have many notable experts as well as your own committees and commissions.
Council opposing development in this area will indicate thatyou have heard the people, listened to your experts within the
committee and commission structures, and that you understand the risk of such a project in this area to our West Hawai'i
ecosystem, infrastructure, habitats, and cultural/historical areas. Clearlywe have enough infrastructure and environmental
problems without entertaining even more costs and risks.
To be clear, opposition and concern comes from local kama'aina families as well as from newcomers. It is important that our
community be heard as to the grave risks of developing these lands to our communities, safety, infrastructure, species, etc.
I urge you to lean into the wisdom and knowledge mana'o of these areas, history, risks, etc. by the people that both know and
caretake our West Hawai'i communities, including the West Hawai'i Council Members that are voicing opposition the destruction of
these parcels for the many many reasons that have already been presented over the past many years.
It's time to move on and the County should follow it's directive to purchase these parcels and protect our West Hawai'i communities.
Any additional delays in settling this matter seems at a minimum ill-advised. Let's move on with what is pono and stop risking our
future and adding to our already stressed infrastructure and costs in West Hawai'i and our county.
My work schedule and a need to be in Honolulu on 11/30 prevents me from attending and sharing my words with you in person.
Please know that there are a lot of local people, kama'aina families that are in my situation that are not able to take off work to be
there to testify and share our concerns in person. Don't diminish or minimize the voices of those that send in testimony and/or that
are there in person. The entire community's voices need to be heard. All evidence leans strongly against Kona Three LLC or anyone
else building on these lands now or in the future.
Mahalo,
Derek Inaba
Kailua Kona, Hawai'i
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