HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0620.026 2002-2004 NANCY PISICCHIO
78-7240 Kuakini Highway
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Phone: (808)322-3118
Email: nancvinkonaPvahoo.com
RECEIF~
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May 16, 2004 4"°'"!- ~ ~~~j~-~-c•
Aaron Chung, Chairman
Committee on Finance
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Testimony in Support of Bill 270
Deaz Chairman Chung and Committee Members,
In the January/February 2004 issue of "Spirit of Aloha" the in-flight magazine for Aloha
Airlines, the cover story is titled" "The Places We Love". This azticle is made up of
numerous photos and descriptions of Hawai'i's beautiful, undeveloped landscapes. "The
places we love come out of the blue....made more exceptional by the resonant touches of
nature, an evocative look, a luminescent sensation, enchanted skies, melodious waters,
streets unchanged by time..."
The fact is that people value Hawaii, to a large extent, because of the beautiful natural
environment. But what are we doing to protect these desperately important resources?
In their wisdom, the authors of the Hawaii County General Plan included numerous goals
relating to the protection of Hawaii Island's natural resources and open spaces, including
the following:
"ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
• Maintain and, if
feasible, improve the existing environmental quality of the
island
NATURAL BEAUTY
• Protect, preserve and enhance the quality of areas endowed with natural
beauty, including the quality of coastal scenic resources.
• Protect scenic vistas and view planes from becoming obstructed q'_
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• Maximite opportunities for present and
future generations to appreciate and
enjoy natural and scenic beauty.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND SHORELINE
• Protect and conserve the natural resources of the County of Hawaii from
undue exploitation, encroachment and damage.
• Provide opportunities for tke public to fulfill recreational, economic, and
educational needs without despoiling or endangering natural resources.
• Protect and promote the prudent use of Hawaii's unique, fragile, and
significant environmental and natural resources.
• Protect rare or endangered species and habitats native to Hawaii.
• Protect and effectively manage Hawaii's open space, watersheds, and natural
areas.
• Ensure that alterations to existing landforms and vegetation, except crops, and
construction of structures cause minimum adverse effect to water resources,
and scenic and recreational amenities and minimum danger of
floods,
lands/ides, erosion, siltation, or failure in the event of earthquake
OPEN SPACE
The following goals, policies, and standards are set forth to insure the protection and
wise use of open space in the County of Hawaii.
• Provide and protect open space for the social, environmental, and economic well
being of the County of Hawaii and its residents.
• Protect designated natural areas. "
Tragically, few tools have ever been adopted within the County of Hawaii serving to
implement the intent of these goals required by our General Plan.
Please support Bill 270. If approved by the County Council and then by the voters
during the 2004 election, the opportunity contained within Bi11270 will provide a very
significant source of funds directly linked to the implementation of many of these critical,
but neglected goals. This is long overdue.
Respectively,
d
Nancy Pisiccluo