HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.018 2000-2002 ~iarald Murata.
75-5870 Kahakai Rd., #207
Kailua-Kgna, i-il 96740
May 29, 2002 r~.-~
r
Mr. James Y. Arakaki, Chairman
and Members of the Council
County of Hawaii _
25 Apuni St.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Amendments to~-the
General plan (Gp). I would like to offer a few comments to strengthen the
General plan.
The proposed General plan's vision for growth is inspiring. The GP articulates
new goals, policies, standards, and courses of action to guide growth, but they
do not manage the rate of growth. Acceleration of economic expansion appears
desirable; steadiness of growth controversial; and deceleration of development
unacceptable. The proposed General plan does not have the mechan-ism to
relieve the gap between growth and the inadequate supporting infrastructure.
`This very gap exacerbates the growth of undesirable impacts. The absence of
the planning directives that manage the quality of progress has repercussions
which seriously affect the quality of the Hawaii lifestyle.
Eighteen >~lements are envisioned in the GP to plan for growth and
management. t_ands are allocated for various farms of utilizations. This in turn
raises planning issues and influences decisions involving conflicting desires of
how best to utilize and protect the valuable resources at the same time. It is
important that tradeoff analysis be made a part of the planning process rather
than during the implementation process. Adverse impacts from planning
decisions are different from impacts due to construction design or activities.
T'he latter can be mitigated but not the former.
For example, the Transportation dement of the GP does not include analysis of
impacts of congestion and noise and mitigation of them as a planning necessity.
They are to be addressed in the EIS and permitting processes. They will then
become operational issues of traffic control and law enforcement. They are
products of incomplete planning considerations. The Gp can effectively bring
such issues in fibs forefront as a planning function to deal with causes rather
than effects of planning actions.
The Gp does not have r~~aatiity Ilfe, Hawaii style, as a ~la?~rt~ng ~le~~t.
Because of its glaring absence, the inclusion of guiding principles to institute a
balanced process would strengthen the GF' to create the coexistence of
harmonious industries and meaningful way of how we travel and live.
Sincerely,