HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0282.002 2000-2002 ~p~1t?ZY ~ N':;9
Harry Kim ~r° ~.f Dixie Kaetsu
Mayor Managing Director
''t c~°;aP+' Peter T. Young
Deputy Managing Director
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25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 329-5226 • Fax (808) 326-5663
August 13, 2001
The Honorable Aaron Chung, Chairman, 'J'
and Members of the Committee on Finance
Hawaii County Council
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Subject: Resolution 106-01, Relating to Lease of Hamakua Lands
Dear Chairman Chung and Committee Members:
On the agenda for the August 14, 2001 Finance Committee meeting is a resolution authorizing
the lease of the County's land in Hamakua on a short-term basis. I understand the concerns
that prompted this resolution, and the advantage to the County in controlling the weeds, grass,
and other vegetation. However, I have the following comments.
Regarding the proposed program, I wonder about the economic feasibility of short term
leases. Whether leased for ranching or farming, certain initial capital investments will be
necessary by the lessee to make the land usable. It is unclear whether farmers or ranchers will
be willing to make the necessary investment if they are only assured of the use of the land for
one year.
Next, I am not sure what the intent is of the seventh "whereas" clause that now reads:
"WHEREAS, if the disposition is performed by negotiation, the public interest demands it
because of the potential fire hazard in the surrounding community." Please clarify what this
provision means.
Rather than list all the Hamakua lands the County owns, I recommend stating that the lands
available for lease will be identified based on certain criteria, and naming those criteria in the
resolution. We will be glad to work with you in identifying the factors that should be used to
make this determination. Then we will follow the provisions of the resolution in selecting the
land available for lease.
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The Honorable Aaron Chung, Chairman,
and Members of the Committee on Finance
Page 2
August 13, 2001
Last, I ask that you bear in mind the logistics of developing a program like this. If this
resolution passes, we will need planning time before leases can be made available. We will,
of course, work on implementation as expeditiously as possible.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this resolution, and for your consideration of
my concerns. I look forward to working with you in the future to determine the final
disposition of the County's Hamakua lands.
ha,
Harry Kim
MAYOR