HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.027 2000-2002 June 8, 2002 (
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
Chair, Planning Committee
County Council ,
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF
HAWAII COUNTY GENERAL PLAN REVISIONS
SUPPORTING OPEN SPACE AT KOHANAIKI
Dear Chair Leithead-Todd and Members of the Planning Committee:
Please support Mayor Kim and Planning Director Chris Yuen's recommendation
to amend the County General Plan to place the shoreline at Kohanaiki into the Open
Space designation. As a member of the communit~~ that uses this area for ocean
recreation, specifically scuba diving from the shore, I support the efforts to protect
Kohanaiki from the impact of exclusive, gated communities and resort development
along the coast. I feel that the shoreline from the Old Airport north to and including Kua
Bay should be kept open for public/community use. I am a 30 year resident of Kona, and
what I see happening is that we are destroying the very reason tourists come to the Big
Island. 8y allowing more and more development, especially shoreline development, we
are "paving Paradise" and getting to the point where the natural beauty that people come
to see is lost. I support the General Plan amendment for the following reasons:
1. The local community as well as visitors enjoy the beach and coastal
area as a prime ocean recreation spot. There are few enough
places on this island where people can safely access the ocean -
let's not take away one of them.
2. This area is rich in native Hawaiian cultural sites including village
areas, sacred/ceremonial areas, anchialine ponds, wetlands and
trails as well as habitat for endangered plants, birds, and reef fish.
3. The land is adjacent to the Kaloko Honokohau National Park and a
portion of it has been designated to be within the Congressionally
Authorized Park boundaries.
4. The Kohanaiki `Ghana, Na Keiki He'e Nalu and the Kona community
have demonstrated commitment to stewardship of the natural and
cultural resources for over 11 years, providing bathrooms and trash
pick up, beach clean ups, and trail and pond restoration projects.
Thank you for considering a positive vote for Open Space along the coast at Kohanaiki
and for supporting Bill # 163.
Sincerely,
A.
Corrtr~,, IeT~
Fits No.
Ref. ~o• _
F
t+N ~ r?'ate