HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0398.004 2000-2002 December 5, 2001
TO: Hawaii County Council
FR: Josephine Keliiipio
P.O. Box 368 ~In~IVI
Kealakekua, Hi 96750
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C®unty ~®aancil
Dear County Council Members,
I have been aware of the Oneo Bay project for about 2 years now.
I understand that this project has been recently added to the State Transportation Plan
or what is called the STP.
When I read about this project in the West Hawaii Today, it seemed like a nice idea The
sketch by Kaz Shigezawa was impressive as most of his sketches are.
I think the tourists would love this extended walkway over the ocean HOWEVER I do not
feel that enough consideration has been given to the following:
1) How did the project get added to the STP when no Environmental Assessment or
Impact Statement was done? Why is it hidden under Alii Drive Improvements in the
agenda rather than calling it a sidewalk extension overhanging over our water?
Are any of you council members concerned about the impacts of such a
Project?
2) Although the idea of this walkway sounds nice, I think we should all step
back and assess how these sort of projects are literally cluttering the shoreline. I
question also how Java on the Rocks was able to perch itself so close to ocean.
3) What kind of pollution will be blown and washed into the ocean? Will this project add
more cigarette butts, road dust, etc.? Lots of things blow into the ocean from edge
side establishments like Bubba Gumps, etc. How much more pollution will be added
to our marine life due to this project?
4) What kind of access will this structure have for locals who want to either take a dip
in the ocean or get down to the rocks for fishing? For those of you who are unaware
either because you have not lived here long enough or because its not a noticeable
thing, the local flavor of the immediate Oneo Bay area is vanishing or almost
disappeared because there are too many structures crowding out locals who used to
use the area for swimming or fishing. There needs to be a balance between
accommodating tourists and accommodating the locals when proposing such
structures like this Onea Bay sidewalk extension.
5) Please read the current issue of Hawaii Island Journal. One of the articles speaks
of taking care of the land so that it wil( take care of you. Another article speaks of
sustainability and Bonnie Goodell's article speaks of hanging out the laundry to dry
which is such a natural local thing to do yet it is scorned as an "eye sore" by the
materialistic Western culture. Kona is changing in very UNKONA way. Kona can only
be Kona when you begin to learn and practice the "Kona Way of Life."
6) Lastly, We, the public, must be granted time to scrutinize the blue prints and have
an Environmental Assessment done. While the project looks good in the newspaper, IT
IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL If~IPACT. Approving taxpayer monies now for this project is not
only pre-mature but also IRRESPONSIBLE. ~;t~~n. j~j®m
k`II~ I~aa.
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