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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.000 2004-2006 . , '._I1_,~- To: The Mayor, Hawaii County and Council Members r~ From: John Y. Ota, Citizen, Hawaii County Subj: Hawaii County I was born and raised on this Island of Hawaii and am a retired Citizen. I am aware of the many projects that the County addresses and release the information to the Public through the Hawaii Tribune Herald (HTH). I would like to congratulate the County Council in approving the University Terrace project in Kona. In my opinion Hawaii County is out of Control. Hawaii County is not maintaining a current updated General Plan and therefore it would be accurate to state that Hawaii County has no vision on how to manage any of the resources on this Island. I have heazd comments made by some of the previous Council Members stating that the General Plan is nothing more than a "Wish List". Is the County General Plan only a Wish List or is the Plan a tool for managing the resources of the County? If the General Plan is not to be used as intended, why is the County wasting my Tax Dollars in creating and maintaining this Plan? Why is the County wasting the Tax Payers Money on projects that are not to be used? And at the same time the County is crying for more money to support various projects. Where is the logic of all this? The current population explosion that is occurring in Hawaii County could have been controlled more effectively by the County. The required infra-structure to support all of the needs of population increases could have been managed more effectively instead of the crisis we face today. It would also be correct to state that the blame for all of the crisis we face today did not start with the current Administration. The present County Administration is faced with extreme problems concerning infra-structure support problems; namely, Solid waste disposal, over-crowded roads, increased vehicle accidents and crime on this Island, over-crowded schools and hospitals, drinking water distribution problems, additional Fire Fighters needed, cleaning up Parks and adding Life Guards where needed, Sewage disposal problems, etc. The list goes on and on. The previous Administration must be credited with many of the major developments on this Island without infra-structure support. Namely, all developments from Keaau to Kalapana, Ocean View Estates and the adjoining developments in the same azea, areas from Laupahoehoe to Hamakua, much of what is developed in Kona today and portions of the development ongoing towazds Kohala from Kona. The present Administration approved additional developments in Onomea, Peepekeo, and is in the process of approving major developments named Hokulina. The Clifto Development was not approved only due to the number of people that objected to the project and complained of the slow moving vehicle traffic on the roads in Kona and the surrounding areas. Much of the credit for excessive development without the infrastructure to suppot~ the basic requirements of the populace, go to the prior Administration but the current Administration isn't doing badly either. The problem is REALITY. And the situation is here, staring us right into our faces. The sudden population explosion we face today stems from people who purchased properties on this Island previously. They are now I / Comm. No. ~`T' Ref, To: PraseatN R:,f. 'vote establishing residence on this Island without the infra-structure support needed to accommodate the population explosion.. While all of this is going on the State leases land to Ranchers for Cattle raising on the higher slopes of Mauna Kea, where trees used to grow and prosper (Laupahoehoe to Hamakua azea). This upper slope area used to be the water shed for those azeas. Today they frequently experience drought conditions. The Stryker Brigade extended the existing Pohakalua Training Area and NASA received DLNR approval to go ahead with their Telescope extension ideas. Both of these two projects stated that "the projects could have adverse impacts". Neither one stated what the adverse impacts could be or from what, or what the adverse impacts may affect. Animals, insects, or human beings? I believe that all of us agree that water flows from higher elevation to lower levels until it meets the sea, same as all the rivers do on this Island. We also know that the water we consume every day comes from underground sources, pumped into reservoirs and distributed to homes. I can attest to the fact that the drinking water in Hawaii is the best in quality and taste. There aze many States in the Mainland that the water out of faucets aze not of drinking quality including many countries in this World. But regretfully the County of Hawaii omits the consideration of available water, prior to approving developmental projects. Some of us may be aware that the ground below the surfaces of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa is frozen. Some times it is only a few inches below the surface and at other times it is a little deeper. I maintain that the water that we all consume on the Island of Hawaii originates from these two sources. Do any of the Council Members have any idea how much frozen land is there below the two mountain peaks? When I was a youngster and went shoreline fishing, I used to see many places where water was entering the sea from the sides of cliffs or cracks between rocks. Today, these sources have all dried up. Another example is the cold water entering the pond by Harrington, or the cold water entering the sea at 4 miles in Keaukaha. Can anyone tell me where the cold water comes from? Cold water also enters the sea by the Energy Lab in Kona. I therefore conclude, that the County of Hawaii cease all Development Project approvals immediately and conduct an Environmental Impact Statement on the following: a. How much drinking water is available at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa? b. What is the total population of Hawaii County? c. What would the total population of Hawaii County be if all the properties sold to individuals were occupied? Homes built and occupants living in the dwelling. Including Resort expansions and Hotel occupancy. d. How much water is consumed by the total population including businesses each day? e. How much water is used by Resorts, Golf Courses or other events that require excessive water each day? f. How much water is used by the Military at Pohakaloua? g. How much water is used by the Astronomers at Mauna Kea? h. How much water is used by Hotels? i. How much water is used by all other businesses each day? j. The answers to the above questions may provide an insight as to whether Hawaii County is able to sustain additional growth in population on this Island. The levels of river water that flow into the ocean has also had a dramatic change in my life time. The same river water that I drank as a youngster and grew up on, is now 6 feet lower in flow level. It also is contaminated very badly, with yellow/brown strings flowing in the water. The river used to contain sucker fish, opae, and river opihi. All of these are not in existence any more. I conclude that the County of Hawaii approves each Development project on the good/bad merits of the project without consideration of the larger total picture. There is a lack of vision by the people who run the County. The requirements to meet the basic needs of all individuals that reside on this Island should be a major consideration before approving any development projects. Excuses that originate from all levels of the County should be eliminated and REALITY should be the focus of all individuals vested with responsibility to run the County Government. John Y. Ota Citizen, County of Hawaii