HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0400.042 2002-2004 Ladies and Gentleman, I am here tonight, as a grass roots citizen,
not on any anti -development agenda and not to discuss the duly
noted traffic situation, but rather the careless destruction of our
Island and shorelines. We are gathered to share our thoughts on
the plan for the OOMA area. My concerns are that if we continue
to allow development on the coastal side of the roads, it impacts us
not only visually, environmentally and density wise, but we cannot
replace these areas once affected, ever.
I know that no one ever wants to hear about what other states have
done, but I want to talk about it anyway. The California coastal
preservation is pertinent here. After years of abusing the coast,
they finally understood that it was a precious resource and it is now
protected as such. I think we should look at the options of lower x
density if we are going to allow such development at all and more ' .
coastal beach parks. Once our few precious beaches are marred a
with condos, business parks and high-density housing, this will just L ~
be another Kihei, another place overrun with condos, shopping ; ~
malls and unplanned urban sprawl. To quote the OOMA webpage, ~
This is area is truly an extremely precious and dwindling
commodity on the highly sought after Kohala Coast, I think we can ~ 8;
all agree with them on that note and clearly that is all the more
reason to protect it
Our carelessness shows other places as well. Down sizing and
rezoning agricultural areas to 15,000-foot lots does not keep the
"country" atmosphere that motivated us to come here in the first
place. Look at Kona downtown, a virtual hodgepodge of ugliness
amongst some of the greatest historical sites in the islands. Not
only did we allow this to go on in the past, but now we still allow
construction that breaks county and state zoning and planning laws
to continue.
(Suonritted Ly Ginger Thomas)
Comm. No. t{~'~7?
Ref. To:
Ref. Daro
We are to be conscientious stewards of this land, not to allow the
thought of big money and so-called convenience to overwhelm our
rational thought. Can't we learn to categorize and place industrial
buildings, like mini storage, high-density housing, shopping malls
and other eyesores in the same areas, leaving the pristine and open
spaces with less developmental impacts? Can't we require
buildings that are pleasant and culturally and visually appropriate
to the island. Can't we require landscaping to hide the eyesores we
have already allowed to exist? Industrial belongs in industrial
areas, high density and non-resort type hotels belong somewhere
other than the beach, and shopping malls where we don't have to
look at them as we gaze at the coastline. And, of course, roads and
infrastructure belong in Kona. One day, it will be too late and your
children will wonder about the choices you made here tonight and
will not understand your propensity to continue to urbanize in
locations that were never meant for it. The planning commission is
supposed to be planning for the future, not chasing the buck. After
all who came to this sacred island of Hawaii Nei to live like they
are still on the mainland.
In closing, please don't allow this abuse to continue. Help us to
plan for the future and protect this place.