HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.070 2000-2002 e -
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chairwoman June 27, 2002
Committee on Planning
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street K~~t;~~`~ ,
Hilo, Hawai' i 96720 v._.^_ - ,
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Re: The proposed new Hawaii County General Plan C'.rx~onry r->,-
Dear Chairwoman Leithead-Todd and Council Members:
Alohal The new Hawaii County General Plan, which outlines development for the next 10 years on this island,
is protecting of some of the remaining shoreline. However, my deep concern is that the 2002 Hawaii General
Plan preserves and safeguards the coastline along the shoreline, fronting Kapoho-Kalapana Highway.
A car O International Corporation, owned by Keiichi Asaoka, with lead executive representative, Senator David
M. Matsuura intends to develop 494-acres above the Coastline. The proposed. Oneloa Onsen and Sports Retreat
will impact the coastal waters. The drilling into the porous fragile ground to tap into the thermal heating to fizel
their proposed `onsen (hot bath} ponds' will negatively impact the waters of sacred Ahalanui, (a new County
Beach Park). Likewise the anchialine ponds along the shore will suffer irreparable impact as well.
The 18-hole golf course, 40-unit lodge, 30-unit beach club (detached unit accommodations), 125-unit chalets,
restaurant &i retail complex, numerous onsen, and additional developments are n®t compatible with the land
being designated `important agricultue' and `extensive agriculture', as stated in the Land Use Pattern Allocation
Guide (LUPAG) map. This appears to be a circumvention of land use. The proposed 2002 Hawaii County
General Plan must keep these LIJPAG map recommendations of this land.
Furthermore, The Environmental Notice published by the state Office of Envirorrrreental Quality Control, 5/8/98,
p 14, in the Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notices (EISPN) section., regarding the. proposed
Oneloa Onsen & Sports Retreat, stated:
"The mitigation measures will be memorialized in a development agreement. The project requires a General
Plan amendment, State Land Use Boundary amendment, and Change of Zone for the proposed 1 ~-acre
commercial area and beachclub". Instead, A & O International Corporation has applied for a Special permit for
the entire project, this must be denied. As it is a circumvention of land use.
As a representative of the people, Senator Matsuura has a financial stake in this massive development; this is
fundamental `conflict of interest'. This is not Pono (right). The natural resources beauty must be protected, not
rubberstamped. You must preserve natural resources for the community and the future generations. I implore
this body to implement conservation of this area. Please do not allow desecration and destruction of one of the
last Open Spaces in one of the few accessible shorelines along the Puna coast.
Mahalo for your wisdom in preservation of the natural environment for the residents and for those captivated by
the beauty, the prime fisheries and those that love the remnant of `old style' Hawaii. Urbanization would prove
devastating to one of the last Hawaiian places. This area as also Visitor Industry material, w.h:y-killa(~~~oose
that laid the golden egg`? b y ,
Please, le1® special permits or development agreements to accommodate A & O International
Corporation. Keep Pohoiki for the people/children/grandchildren. The County should protest that:'wh_ i~h
sustains the community physically, mentally and spiritually.
Mahalo.
(dote: 12~ siriilar lettern «ere recei-ved.
l~~on file in the Gffice of the C,ount5 (;lark)
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