HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0620.052 2002-2004 ~UG4 JUP! 2 fa(9 8 ~i
Fred Cachola
91-485 Kuhialoko Street ***Ewa Beach, HI 96706 C; '
COUNT' ~n„
May ] 7, 2004
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 97620
Re: Support of passage of Bi11270, establishing a permanent Land Protection Fund
Dear Members of the County Council:
The Hawaii County Council is commended for introducing Bill 270 to dedicate
2% of e~cisting real property tax revenue to a permanent land protection fund. This bill
will be a very positive and affirmative step towazds the preservation and protection of
very significant historic, cultural, scenic, and special environmental areas of Hawaii.
I strongly recommend your passage of this bill for the following reasons.
1. There aze many azeas on Hawaii that are noteworthy and deserving of preservation and
protection. Among these azeas aze: the coastlines of Kohala, from Kawaihae to Polulu,
26 miles of unspoiled scenic, historical, cultural and recreational azeas; the 132 Hawaiian
heiau identified and described by John Stokes in 1906 and Thomas Thrum in 1908; the
last remaining nesting areas of the Hawaiian crow, Alala; the untouched Koa foresUands,
the sacred sites on Mauna Kea, the significant historical, and fragile ecological and
environmental coastlines of West Hawaii; the historical and recreational coastal and
mauka-makai trail systems, the entire valley systems from Waipio to Pololu and many
more azeas that may be lost forever if they are not protected and preserved. .
2. Purchasing, preserving and protecting these types of areas is good for the economy and
the environment. Hawaii's economy is heavily dependent on tourism. Millions come to
enjoy and marvel at our magnificent scenic and recreational areas, to observe our unique
floral and fauna and to experience a true sense of our Native Hawaiian Culture within the
azeas where they once flourished. Protecting these areas is vital to maintaining our
respect and reverence of our past while searching for sensible alternatives to develop a
vibrant, growing economy.
3. The Trust of Public Lands confirmed that a lazge majority, 70% of Hawaii's voters
supports Bill 270. This is your best opportunity to build a more proactive, united public
effort to protect our tiagile island environments, to conserve and celebrate our unique
island cultures and to assure a continued thriving economy. This is one of those raze
win-win situations that you can act upon with full assurance of strong public support.
Please do not let this opportunity slip away, support and vote for passage of Bill 270.
Mahalo for your continued efforts to seek ways and means to improve on the
quality of life and land in Hawaii.
Sincerely
Fred Cachola
(bom and raised in Kohala, property owner in Kohala, and returning home soon)
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