HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.135 2000-2002 HAWAI'! COUNTY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING HEARING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2002
NA'ALEHU COMMUNITY CENTER
NA'ALEHU, Hl
fiESTNMONY OE KEOLALANI f-l~1 N0.4
LUPa4G M64PS KA'U
7 ®3 Su~nportive of change from f~esort fo Conservation inclusive to the zone
change these concerns should be included in General Plan.
• Increase present footage above high wafer mark, inland to 2000 ft.
max - 9500 ft. min. (ZM - SMA Area of Ka'u.
• Designafe the entire district shoreline areas, to conservation due
fo the existing problems that are destroying fragile shoreline
areas.
9. Stop confinued commercial sale of sand at County Parks
2. Desecration of nesting habitat
3. Increased erosion (unregulated commercial fours)
4. Graffifi, burials, desecration, overuse -pollution, depleted
resources
General Plan does not give enough emphasis on protection rr?easures
to areas considered kapu to Ka'u and Hawaiian culture.
General Plan does not address ocean run-off anal pollution, i.e.,
Punalu'u re-routing natural wafer flow -flooding private properties.
• No section is mentioned to protect ~ratersheals, Ha'ao native
Hawaiian house;
• No section in General Plan emphasis on protection of anchiline
ponds, wetlands in Kanonenone, Kahakahakea, Honuapo,
Kauwila Pond, Ninole, Ka'alaiki Pond and Kenenelu flats. All
habitats for endangered native waterfowl. jey~y;
File X10.
We need to be concerned about ancient burials, and their protection.
Ancient burials are in abundance throughout shoreline areas.
Limiting shoreline access for commercial businesses at sacred places
of cultural significance, and fragile ecosystems. Historic sites and areas
of numerous burials should be closely monitored, as to distract from
senseless acts of desecrations, vandalism, pollution and white coral
graffiti.
• I support limited access fo: Kanonenone Ponds, Pohue Bay,
Keliuli, up Through Kahakahaka. I also would like to envision
properly managed access to Waiahukini, Ka'a!u'alu, Waikapuna,
Kamilo, Kamehame. Due to ifs cultural and historical significance,
fragile ecosystem pefroglyph fields, endangered species
population, both plant and animal (Honu'ea) monk seals.
The above-mentioned areas should be utilized as living classrooms, and
educational resources. Hawaii state is losing, more and more
conservation lands, with cultural and historical significance to
commercialization. We need to vision the future, and plan wisely. We
need fo protect these places for the generations of the future unborn.
Native Hawaiians need their land-bases, and subsistence food resources
to continue to exist.
7 ~ 5 The General Plan needs to consider buffer zones That protect our parks
and forest from ill-fated industrial developments that bring negative
impacts to the environment.
1- 73 The zone should remain Orchards and extensive agriculture instead of
urban expansion. To me it is inviting urban sprawl! If you understood the
history of Waiohinu, the valley of the kings. The best varieties of kalo,
once flourished through out the valley. Ha'ao spring, the life-giving
waters That nourished the people of Ka'u for generations and the magic it
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provided. Urban sprawl would annihilate Waiohinu's captivating beauty,
and farm-rich lands.
7 ®10 A D~eritage Corridor needs to be created in Na'alehu. That would
encourage more businesses for our small businesses.
• Numerous community-based projects, that proposes low density,
and appropriate development is in their final stages. Such as the
need for the county to support Hana Laulima's Culture Center that
bring job opportunities, controlled tourism and encourage small
businesses. The expansion of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
will also bring federal jobs, career opportunities, for youth, and
especially adjacent communities. Our disfricf can be self-
sufficient, through preservation and restoration projects, while
protecting our rural country life-style, and natural resources. !'d
like to end my testimony, with food for thought:
Imagine community-based in aquaculture farms, flourishing in our
communities, and long distance learning centers to provide education, we
could be part of the progressive world, while sustaining our lifesfyles, our
natural resources, and ourselves for generations. They will be coming fo
your town soon! One more thing - we must keep open view planes and
space intact in Ka'u, if we want fo keep watching the whales during
winter.
Please support corrrmunity-based projects and ernpormer Ka'u
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