HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0027.030 2000-2002 From
Dr Laura Brezinsky
PO Box 504 _
Kea'au, HI 96749 ~ i . ~ ~ % , i
Subject Bi11195/fhe Gateway Mall
Perspective• Opposed
2/16/01
Dear County Council Members,
I am a Biologist and 20 year resident of Hawai' i I am opposed to the proposed Gateway
mall for all of the reasons previously expressed overwhelmingly by our community as
follows
1 Urban sprawl that will create increased traffic dams to an area when a recent bypass
was constructed to reduce traffic.
2 Local businesses in downtown Hilo and in the einsting malls in Hilo are already
struggling and going out of business due to insufficie~ demand and wmpetition by
mainland "Box stores" such as Walmart, Safeway, Office Max and Ross's
3 The "malimg" of Hawaii and the impending loss of our local character, which is
supported by older family-owned and operated businesses
4 The associated housing development that will inevitably be bwlt by Shipman m
Kea'au that will only increase traffic and promote further destruction of the local
natwe of Kea'au
5 The potential to turn Highway I 1 into a commercial comdor lined with malls,
warehouses and other aesthetically disturbing scenery, which would extend all the
way from Hilo to Volcano and beyond
6 The ultimate demise of Kea'au village, which was sadly bulldozed by Shipman lust a
few years ago to make way for gas stations and convenience stores, which will also
be put out of business by tlvs mall
7 The unwillingness of Shipman to install an underpass, which would facilitate access
to the proposed mall by residents of Lower Pavia and prevent increased traffic
disruption on Highway 11
8 The complete disregard for the environment and native forests that t}us development
demonstrates
In conclusion, we are at a turning point m East Hawaii We may choose to preserve and
protect the character and native environments that make Puna such a special place, or we
can choose to turn Pavia into a strip mall with all of the "conveniences" of Honolulu and
West Oahu It is our choice I choose the native forests and local character of Puna as my
legacy to our children The Puna Community has spoken loudly against developing a
mall and all of its associated services and housing (Plisse II) in Kea'au as demonstrated at
the previous county council heanng on ttus issue But once again, most of the planning
committee has ignored public feedback and decided to pass bill 195 Like Ivlr Tyler, I
also quote Sir Winston Churchill here in saying "never give :n, never give rr~{gr,Ne, ~
File No.
Ref. To; h~~ CIIAVt~I
Ref. Dates FEB 2 ~nnp~
never, never, never-rn nothing, great or small, /urge or petty -never give rn except to
convictions of honow and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently
overwhelming might of the enemy We stood all alone a year ago, and to marry countries
rt seemed that our account was closed, we were fr»rshed "
Since yo
Dr Laura