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~iarald Murata. <br /> 75-5870 Kahakai Rd., #207 <br /> Kailua-Kgna, i-il 96740 <br /> May 29, 2002 r~.-~ <br /> r <br /> Mr. James Y. Arakaki, Chairman <br /> and Members of the Council <br /> County of Hawaii _ <br /> 25 Apuni St. <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Amendments to~-the <br /> General plan (Gp). I would like to offer a few comments to strengthen the <br /> General plan. <br /> The proposed General plan's vision for growth is inspiring. The GP articulates <br /> new goals, policies, standards, and courses of action to guide growth, but they <br /> do not manage the rate of growth. Acceleration of economic expansion appears <br /> desirable; steadiness of growth controversial; and deceleration of development <br /> unacceptable. The proposed General plan does not have the mechan-ism to <br /> relieve the gap between growth and the inadequate supporting infrastructure. <br /> `This very gap exacerbates the growth of undesirable impacts. The absence of <br /> the planning directives that manage the quality of progress has repercussions <br /> <br /> which seriously affect the quality of the Hawaii lifestyle. <br /> Eighteen >~lements are envisioned in the GP to plan for growth and <br /> management. t_ands are allocated for various farms of utilizations. This in turn <br /> raises planning issues and influences decisions involving conflicting desires of <br /> how best to utilize and protect the valuable resources at the same time. It is <br /> important that tradeoff analysis be made a part of the planning process rather <br /> than during the implementation process. Adverse impacts from planning <br /> decisions are different from impacts due to construction design or activities. <br /> T'he latter can be mitigated but not the former. <br /> For example, the Transportation dement of the GP does not include analysis of <br /> impacts of congestion and noise and mitigation of them as a planning necessity. <br /> They are to be addressed in the EIS and permitting processes. They will then <br /> become operational issues of traffic control and law enforcement. They are <br /> products of incomplete planning considerations. The Gp can effectively bring <br /> such issues in fibs forefront as a planning function to deal with causes rather <br /> than effects of planning actions. <br /> The Gp does not have r~~aatiity Ilfe, Hawaii style, as a ~la?~rt~ng ~le~~t. <br /> Because of its glaring absence, the inclusion of guiding principles to institute a <br /> balanced process would strengthen the GF' to create the coexistence of <br /> harmonious industries and meaningful way of how we travel and live. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br />