HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0372.013 2024-2026P /,�. Pcpuieo
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From: Ellen LaPenna
Sent: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 8:16 AM
To: Council Testimony, Kimball, Heather; Kagiwada, Jennifer; Onishi, Dennis; Kierkiewicz,
Ashley, Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Villegas, Rebecca; Galimba, Michelle M.; Inaba,
Holeka; Hustace, James; cohmayor@hawaiicounty.gov
Subject: Hawai'i General Plan, Please Oppose n
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Aloha Commissioners, Council members and other community leaders, ! --G--�
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The Big Island General Plan is not a pono, appropriate plan for our island. I've been an activisAor rr;4
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years and find this plan particularly divisive in that it uses climate change as foundation of shed .
concern and then wields that concern into a mandate giving the government remarkable povvt# ovff the
people and the ability exert extensive and inappropriate control.
Here are some concerns:
• There is some debate about climate change and that is interesting, but what I find more to the
point is that we live on a remote island in the middle of the Pacific ocean. We don't have large
factories here, we don't have extensive traffic — what we do have is an active volcano emitting
tons of particulate and naturally occurring chemicals into the air and We are worried about carbon
emissions and "miles driven" here on Hawaii Island?
• The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means ANYONE in the
entire world can have input on this plan.
• Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities." Local
Communities are local Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and
individuals who live on Big Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affected by
projects, decisions, or activities in the General Plan. Effective local community engagement and
management are crucial for the success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that
diverse perspectives and interests are considered.
• The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to
unelected officials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188,
40.8.
• The Planning Department has sent out letters to many homeowners telling them their land use will
be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower
their property value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha
Spirit law § 5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is STEALING from that family and their
future generations. While attending a community "workshop" on the Plan, it was noted several
times that this plan would not change zoning but this is not true. In recently in a meeting, the
current Planning Director made a remark, clearly stating that this plan would directly impact
zoning. Comm. o V� ��.
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1 Ref. Dote JUL - 9 2025
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Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move
forward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island.
1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, '7ncentivize private
land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when
appropriate, pursue the acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives"
mean more taxes. "Protection" means more rules. Whose "values" is this plan referring to
because it's not the locals? "Pursue the acquisition of lands" — does this say they are going to
pursing taking people's private property? Again with "protection of natural resources." This plan
should be focused on people growing more food and it is doing the exact opposite!
This plan forwards the process of turning land into "conservation." That means only a park can be
on it. Nearly the entire coast -line is shown on the map to be set for as conservation. Locals do not
want that! The coast -line belongs to the people!
The way this plan is written, it's not pono and will not support the people and aina of Hawaii Island.
Mahalo for reading,
Ellen LaPenna
92-1329 Prince Kuhio Blvd.
Captain Cook, Hi 96704