HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0372.097 2024-2026From:
Jessica K
Sent:
Monday, August 18, 2025 10:25 AM
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To:
Council Testimony
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Subject:
Bill 66, General Plan 2045
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Aloha Council Members, I am offering my testimony with regards to the t i�
General Plan. I would like to support any proposals within the plane'
that promote sustainability and do not finance reckless development.
I am very concerned that our island might choose to allow for large- scale development at the cost of long-term
sustainability, and we need to ensure housing first with as much renewable energy as possible, public transportation, but
no massive developments that would tax our infrastructure and our island.
I have read testimony from our local Sierra Club and Na Ala Hele:
Hawai'i Trail & Access System Advisory Council and agree with their recommendations. I believe in particular that Na Ala
Hele's suggestion that the 2040 plan was more concrete and specific than the revised one in 2045 and that including the
Actions 4.52, 4.56, and-4.93 are examples of clarity that need inclusion into the final plan. I would like to see our urban
areas such as Kona and Hilo be models of sustainable city living with pedestrian- and bicycle -friendly streets and plenty
of public transportation, especially given the chaos with Kona's parking situation. I would like to see more permitting of
electric charging stations, as well as more 'voluntourism'to be encouraged in our county as well as any tourism that
helps sustain our
environment, and does not degrade it. I would like the Planning
Commissions to consider options such as allowing for more community gardens and budgets to plant and maintain more
greenery and trees for shade, and to work with the state to allow for a budget for more municipal composting, recycling
and zoning to allow for more people to be able to sell produce locally, including their own properties. I support fully the
idea of developing hydrogen fuels, as long as they are considered 'green' hydrogen.
As a resident of Hawai'i County, I am grateful to be able to enjoy water sports in our ocean any time of the year due to
our pleasant
climate. A big concern I have in our county has to do with sewage
seeping into our ocean and about wastewater treatment and stormwater runoff, I'm concerned about the kind of
pollution that is leached into our aquifers, wetlands and ocean.
I also would like the Planning Commission to consider the recommendations of the Game Management Advisory
Committee, which gave concrete suggestions about collaborative agreements to help maintain sustainable hunting
practices with regards to collaborative biocultural stewardship and the various policies they suggested with regards to
this such as the development of sustainable aquaculture, Native Hawaiian gathering rights and those rights granted by
the State for traditional cultural fishing practices. I agree also with their recommendation of ensuring that no
development hinders the right of access to the shoreline and public trails, and to establish public
access to the shoreline to all historical and recreational sites. I
also agree with the idea that if any county land is to be privatized that it is brought to the public's attention and that
public access to those lands guaranteed to the public such as a public trail or the shoreline is guaranteed in such a sale.
Lastly, as a person who does believe that climate change will affect our island home, I would like the County Planning
Board to ensure that sea level rise and encroachment is addressed in any zoning or planning, to protect homes,
businesses as well as sustainable agriculture and aquaculture from possible sediment and salt intrusion. We must also
address the adequacy of our road system from floods and sea level rise, so working with the State to address this issue is
vital. fi
Comm. No '
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There are a lot of general guidelines in this plan, which admittedly is
right in the title. I hope that in following the plan the trajectory
is towards long-term sustainability and the recognition of the effects of a changing climate with sea level rise, which
affects all aspects of infrastructure and agriculture. Our geopolitical climate is also such that it is important for us to
consider all manners in which we can be resilient and self-sufficient; in a way that respects our oceans, land, and the
cultural practices of Native Hawaiians.
Mahalo for hearing my views on this matter. Jessica Kuzmier, Kailua- Kona