HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0092.016 2004-2006 Pepeekeo Community Association
P. O. Box 877
Pepeekeo, Hawaii 96783
February 16, 2005
Chairman Gary Safarik and Members of the Hawaii County Council
RE: Bills Nos. 355 & 356
Relating to Continental Pacific, LLC's Request for Rezoning
Aloha Chairman Safarik and Members of the Council:
On behalf of the Pepeekeo Community Association, I am submitting testimony in support
of Bills # 355 and #356, Continental Pacific, LI,C's request for rezoning for property in
Pepeekeo.
As stated in several testimonies over the past 2 yeazs to the Planning Commission,
Planning Committee and now to the County Council, our community has engaged over
the last 4 yeazs in 40+ meetings and discussions among our community members and
with representatives and owners of Continental Pacific, LLC. The changes, concems,
impact and benefits to our community regarding the land acquisitions and plans in
Pepeekeo have been discussed. It is to the credit of both the community and CP,.LLC
that compromising considerations for the identity of our community have been mutually
agreed on.
Earlier testimonies have noted concerns about retaining access to established and
traditional fishing grounds, clearing of trees at the old Pepeekeo School grounds and
azound cemeteries, and financial assistance for the Volunteer Fire Station property.
Results have been compromising and positive. Discussions among community members
and with the representatives of Continental Pacific, LLC have presented invaluable
opportunities of participation, compromise and education that will benefit the community
in the near future and beyond.
To further establish the basis on which this support is given, community discussions over
the past 4 yeazs were held in both lazge and small group meetings. Attendance at these
meetings ranged from 20 to 75 to 120 different community members from Pepeekeo as
well as sun•ounding communities. Cumulatively and given the population of this
community, the numbers reflect several hundred community members. Opportunities for
questions, answers and information were always made available. These meetings were
open to the community and not at all restricted to only dues paying members. In 2004 the
Community Association had a total of 94 dues paying members. To date, we have 28
members that have renewed and/or joined. Of course, we anticipate an even higher
number as we move further into 2005.
The concern about the existing cemeteries is not new and this concem surfaced early in
our discussions. The remains in the Japanese Graveyazd have been removed and re-
interned. The Chinese Graveyard still contains remains and is being maintained through
private efforts. The attempt to have the Cantonese inscriptions on the gravestones
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translated was started last yeaz and is ongoing. The Catholic Graveyard on Sugar Mill
Road has been cleared of lazge trees and is presently maintained by members of our
community.
The access to the shoreline by our community members was a topic of major concern all
during the last 4 years. Through the tireless and well-meaning efforts of our community
members, a compromise that was acceptable to our fishermen was offered and accepted.
We have all since been taught by these honorable fishermen the value and practice of the
concept of `malama the aina'. Having been the stewazds of these fishing grounds for
decades, the unspoken code of taking Gaze of your `opala' and the area you use is one that
is practiced by all who use the grounds. If you aze of the land, you know your
responsibility and will not leave it for someone else, expect that the next person will do it
or try to push that responsibility elsewhere. It is this education that needs to occur among
those of you who don't understand it or have not made the effort to learn it!
The cooperative, community-based efforts, initiatives, intentions and visions of the
community have been well received by Continental Pacific, LLC. The reality of change
has presented learning opportunities for both parties. With the shared commitment to
effect positive, constructive and beneficial impacts for the community, it is the firm belief
that movement in this direction will continue to be pursued. The assurance to contribute
financially to assist the community in realizing and 30+ year old dream of a recreational
complex is the first of many steps in this direction.
The Pepeekeo Community Association has submitted previous testimony in support of
Bills 355 and 356 and stand by those same testimonies today.
Thank you for acknowledging and honoring our grassroots community participation and
support.
Respectfully,
Lorraine Mendoza, President
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