HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0400.088 2002-2004 MOKU LOA GROUP-HAWAII CHAPTER SIERRA CLUB
P O BOX 1137
HILO ,HAWAII 96720
County Council Testimony AGAINST BILL 178 2nd Reading May 5, 2004
From: Roberta Lynn Brashear
Moku Loa Group Chair- Sierra Club RECEIV~t1 "f
Representing the Hawaii Island Sierra Club (832+ members) flme_____ ay
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Dear Council Chair Arakaki and the Members of the Hawaii County Council; ~'~"ry r_oo"~u
As an active Community leader on the Big Island for the past 10 yeazs, I have watched
this Council and the previous Administration approve many "development" projects with no
questions asked. Now we have yet another massive project before you, Bill 178 the Cliftos
Proposal for O'oma Rezoning for potentially 230 residences, 2 hotels and another shopping
center. I urge you to VOTE NO on this proposal.
I represent the over 250 concerned residents/voters who attended the public hearing on
this proposal in February to say NO. They came out in the pouring rain to speak against this
project, but of course, Chair Arakaki and Councilman Safarik would not know this as you were
both absent.
Sierra Club had requested the second reading of this Bill 178 to be in Kona. The Council
voted against this. What aze you so afraid of??? Why is the Council in Hilo voting on a project
that will severely impact the residents and tourists alike in KONA.
West Hawaii residents do not want this rezone. Sprawl is a horrific problem in Kona
already. The Environmentalists do not want this rezone. And most certainly the Environment
does not want this rezone as it cannot handle any more habitat destruction. The roadways are
congested; there is no infrastructure in place to handle this ambiguous rezone which incidentally
is listed on the MLS for sale as soon as this rezone is approved! Open Spaces aze being bought
up and rezoned at the will of this Council. Look at the other "Bad Projects" approved such as
Hokulia. What are you all doing? Is this to be your legacy? VOTE NO!
WE have a good General Plan on the table now. Planning director Chris Yuen and the
committee have been working on this after many hours of consultation with community groups
to come up with a reasonable plan. This Council refuses to pass this Plan. The General Plan is
done every 10 years and was started in 2000. Wake up gang, its 2004! Pass this plan, even
though it doesn't allow for more of your favorite "development" proposals.
Listen to your constituents and Vote No on Bill 178.
The Sierra Club is sorry to see Curtis Tyler, a friend of the environment leave. We also thank
Bob Jacobson another environmental ally for all of his hard work. The rest of you may also be
leaving because of the decisions made TODAY! Sierra Club members vote. We have over 800
members on this island, certainly a loud group who won't go away. Think of your Legacy to this
island! The curse of the past, the Yamashiro Administration, still haunts us!
Make your decisions be worthy of the people who trusted you and put you in these
honorable seats. Vote NO on Bill 178 and set the dates for the readings of approval of the
County General Plan.
Mahalo Roberta Lynn Brashear
Comm. No. ~O•$g
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