HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0059.018 2000-2002 Ku Kahakalau
P.O. Box 1764, Honoka'a, HI 96727
Date: 2!2212001 ,RECEIVED
To: Hawaii County Council ~
s._ _y~~yJ
From: Ku Kahakalau . CO1"`~~
Subject: Strong Oppos~hon to Proposed Change of Zoning m Kukwhaele
As a resident of Kukuihaele and a native Hawaiian, I herewith submit my strong
opposition to the proposed `Trees of Kukuihaele" development and ask you to please
initiate a public hearing on the proposed change of zoning request submitted by Trees of
Kukuihaele LLC, prior to any decision regarding the above by the Hawaii County
Council. At present the general community of Kukuihaele, where my family and I reside,
Is largely unaware of all of the facts surrounding this proposed change of zoning and the
subsequent development of these areas. While the developer has spoken to some of the
residents and held several community meetings regarding his plans -many months ago -
many of the facts regarding this development have either not been disclosed to the
general community or are lust coming to light now. Some of these concerns include:
- assurances made by the previous developer, which allowed for the change of zoning in
the first place, which the present developer does not intent to comply with
- failure of the previous landowner/developer of said properties to submit yearly reports
for the past four years, which should have resulted in the planning director initiating down
zoning of said properties
- claim by the applicant on Application For Change of Zone Form that no governmental
assistance and/or improvements will be needed to develop the subject area, when in fact
there are presently only 5 units of water allocated to his parcel which would not nearly be
suffiaent for his 40 planned resort residences, as well as his planned restaurant, office
building and swimming pool
- the fact that the development of a mull!-million dollar resort project made up of artificial
trees over 20 feet high, that would encompass about a third of the entire village area is in
direct violation of the Hamakua Regional Plan prepared in 1990 by members of the
Hamakua Steering Committee, which recommends that a residential plantation
community be emphasized and the existing rural character of Kukuihaele be preserved
- the fact that the buildings/"trees" proposed by the developer have not been approved by
the building department and in their present form are in violation of the county code
As an educator my obligation is to prepare my students for a successful future, as county
council members your obligation is to do what is best for the people of Hawaii as a
whole. This project without doubt will make a few people very rich, however the vast
majority of Kukuihaele and Waipi'o residents -and ultimately Hawaii Island residents -
rather than reaping benefits from this project would suffer unspeakable hardshia as o ~ y~
lifestyle is changed forever. THINK OF THE FUTURE - MALAMA OUR 'AINAI~! \~~l
Comm. Na~1.7: