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Harold Murata <br /> 75-5870 Kahakai Fdd., #207 <br /> Kailua-Kona, ~-II 96740 <br /> June 19, 2002 <br /> Mr. James Y. Arakaki, Chairman <br /> <br /> and Members of the Council <br /> <br /> County of Hawaii ~ R~iv~~ ~ <br /> <br /> 25 Apuni St. ~~ro~.~a..~_-_.- y----- <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ~re°°"°----~ <br /> County Council I Fm' ~ ~ <br /> <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Proposed Amendments to the <br /> General Plan (GP). It consists of 438 pages of text and 62 of landuse maps. <br /> like the 8 purposes stated on page 3 of the introduction. I would like to <br /> comment on two of the purposes. One reads: "Identify the visions, values, and <br /> priorities important to the people of this County." Another reads: "Facilitate the <br /> <br /> democratic determination of community policies concerning the utilization of its <br /> natural, man-made, and human resources." Community feed-forward and <br /> <br /> feedback are crucial to make these purposes meaningful. <br /> Most people do not have convenient access to the government and its <br /> institutions to participate in the planning process. Many are earning their <br /> livelihoods and supporting their families. The General Plan should address the <br /> means of reaching out to the people for discussion and input before planning <br /> decisions are approved. It is not democratic to blaze ahead by tacit approvals. <br /> Many planning policies and actions have significant impacts. Whether they are <br /> big or the cumulation of small ones, nonetheless impacts do result. Some are <br /> significant and adverse. All proposed planning actions should have an initial <br /> assessment for significant impacts. To wait until the proposed implementation is <br /> too late. Impact assessments should be made for the physical, environmental, <br /> and the social and cultural effects. This last one is the most difficult, but it is the <br /> most significant that affects the quality of lifestyle of Hawaii. For policies deemed <br /> to have significant findings, a full disclosure document equivalent to an I*IS <br /> addressing economic and social issues should be presented to the people for <br /> discussion and input into planning process. <br /> It is highly beneficial to identify impacts during the planning process. One is <br /> avoidance. Another is mitigation. Bringing issues to the forefront is a good <br /> investment in the management of growth and prosperity. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> ~93.~ <br /> Cor~nrn. Na <br /> File No. <br /> Ref. `To: <br /> ref. JUG 0 3 2002 <br /> _ <br /> _ _ _ _ <br /> <br />