HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.068 2000-2002 Harold Murata
75-5870 Kahakai Fdd., #207
Kailua-Kona, ~-II 96740
June 19, 2002
Mr. James Y. Arakaki, Chairman
and Members of the Council
County of Hawaii ~ R~iv~~ ~
25 Apuni St. ~~ro~.~a..~_-_.- y-----
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ~re°°"°----~
County Council I Fm' ~ ~
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Proposed Amendments to the
General Plan (GP). It consists of 438 pages of text and 62 of landuse maps.
like the 8 purposes stated on page 3 of the introduction. I would like to
comment on two of the purposes. One reads: "Identify the visions, values, and
priorities important to the people of this County." Another reads: "Facilitate the
democratic determination of community policies concerning the utilization of its
natural, man-made, and human resources." Community feed-forward and
feedback are crucial to make these purposes meaningful.
Most people do not have convenient access to the government and its
institutions to participate in the planning process. Many are earning their
livelihoods and supporting their families. The General Plan should address the
means of reaching out to the people for discussion and input before planning
decisions are approved. It is not democratic to blaze ahead by tacit approvals.
Many planning policies and actions have significant impacts. Whether they are
big or the cumulation of small ones, nonetheless impacts do result. Some are
significant and adverse. All proposed planning actions should have an initial
assessment for significant impacts. To wait until the proposed implementation is
too late. Impact assessments should be made for the physical, environmental,
and the social and cultural effects. This last one is the most difficult, but it is the
most significant that affects the quality of lifestyle of Hawaii. For policies deemed
to have significant findings, a full disclosure document equivalent to an I*IS
addressing economic and social issues should be presented to the people for
discussion and input into planning process.
It is highly beneficial to identify impacts during the planning process. One is
avoidance. Another is mitigation. Bringing issues to the forefront is a good
investment in the management of growth and prosperity.
Sincerely,
~93.~
Cor~nrn. Na
File No.
Ref. `To:
ref. JUG 0 3 2002
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