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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0042.087 2004-2006 Lori Beach , 46-1020 Kinimaka Road ~ L(? (~(n r Honoka'a, Hawaii 96727 (808) 775-8209 January 20, 2005 To: All Hawaii County Council Members Re: Hawaii County General Plan - Drafr 4 Aloha County Council Members, Please accept the following as my testimony on Draft 4 of the General Plan. As you probably know, the Hamakua Community has aten-year history of coming together to put a voice to their collective vision of what they want for their community. Two issues have come up over and over again in these community meetings: 1) The desire to preserve our rural nature and life style, and 2) The desire for Hamakua to continue to be an agricultural based region. I looked at the General Plan with these community desires in mind and limit my comments specifically to the Hamakua region. A major change in the General Plan is that of Important Ag Lands ([AL). The intention for IAL is clear: "Identify, protect and maintain important agriculture lands on the island of Hawaii. " However, nowhere, in the General Plan or any other document that 1 am aware of does it say how these Important Ag Lands will be protected. How will this new designation protect these lands? How will agricultural use be enforced on these lands`? How will this prevent non-agricultural use on these lands? No one seems to know. So far, IAL is nothing more than a change of name for lands that are already designated for agriculture use. I urge you not to lose site of the intention of the IAL and really work to have enforceable protection of our valuable agricultural lands. On first glance, the Goals, Standards and Polices listed in Draft 4 would support the desires of the Hamakua community. However, I feel that the Courses of Action are weak and will not bring about the intended goal. For Instance: 1) Under the Transportation section, a course of action states; "Encourage the State to construct a scenic highway from the Waipio Valley lookout extending mauka to connect to Mud Lane at the entrance of Waimea." This does not reflect anything that I have heard in working with the Community. This item should immediately be eliminated from the General Plan. Comm. N~ y 2~ ' b 11 ~ Ref. To: r-"~~~1M_^1.t1 1 ~ f _ ,F~a~. ~ ~nn5 2) Under the "Recreation" section, a Course of Action for Hamakua talks about recreational development of Waipio and Waimanu Valleys as well as the development of a park near Hiilawe Falls. I have never heard anyone in the Community ask for increased development of these areas. In fact, what I hear is that we need to protect these pristine areas from overuse before they are ruined forever. 3) Creating sustainable, diversified and successful agriculture ventures is critical to the future of Hamakua. The community has come together to collectively work towards this goal. There are a total of 21 policies outlined under the "Agriculture" section in the General Plan. Some of those policies include: • Assist in the development of basic resources such as water, roads, transportation and distribution facilities for the agricultural industry. • Coordinate and encourage efforts to solve the problems of the agricultural industry in the County of Hawaii. • Ensure that development of important agricultural land be primarily for agricultural use. • Support the development of private and State agricultural parks to make agricultural land available for agricultural activities. • Assist in the development of agriculture. • Assist in the development of water for agricultural purposes. • Encourage, where appropriate, the establishment ofvisitor-related uses and facilities that directly promote the agriculture industry. I think that you would all agree that all of these items address important issues in the success of agriculture in Hamakua. Why then is the only Course of Action for Hamakua: • Encourage large landowners to make agricultural lands available for agriculture. We deserve and expect more support from the County then this. 4) Under the Economic section, policies include: • Assist in the expansion of the agricultural industry through the protection of important agricultural lands, development of marketing plans and programs, capital improvements and continued cooperation with appropriate State and Federal agencies. • Support all levels of educational, employment and training opportunities and institutions. • Encourage the establishment of open farmers markets to allow local agricultural producers to market their products. • Assist in cooperative marketing and distribution endeavors to expand opportunities for local agricultural products for export as well as to the local market. 2 We need to implement all of these policies in Hamakua to promote successful, diversified agriculture as a mainstay of the area. Why then are they not included in the Courses of Action for Hamakua? 5) Another issue that the Hamakua is very passionate about is preserving and passing on our unique history to future generations. Several places in the General Plan it talks about the "paniolo and plantation history" and supports the preservation of those parts of our history but nowhere does it talk about the Hawaiian history. I find this outrageous and unacceptable. The Historic Sites sections lists numerous policies such as: • Public access to significant historic sites and objects shall be acquired, where appropriate. • Embark on a program of restoring significant historic sites on County lands. Assure the protection and restoration of sites on other public lands through a joint effort with the State. • Encourage the restoration of significant sites on private lands. • Collect and distribute historic sites information of public interest and keep an inventory of sites. • Aid in the development of a program of public education concerning historic sites. • Develop a continuing program to evaluate the significance of historic sites. Again, the Course of action for Hamakua doesn't reflect the policies that have been stated: The only course of action for Hamakua is: • Coordinate with the community to identify historical sites and buildings for inclusion in a heritage corridor program. 6)_The same is true for the Housing section. There were some wonderful policies outlined: • Encourage the construction of specially designed facilities or communities for elderly persons needing institutional care and small home care units for active elderly persons. • Encourage corporations and nonprofit organizations to participate in Federal, State and private programs to provide new and rehabilitated housing for low and moderate income families. • Support the construction of housing for minimum wage and agricultural workers. We need to develop all of these in Hamakua. Why then is the only course of action for Hamakua: 3 • Aid and encourage programs to rehabilitate and replace the existing housing inventory, including consideration for self-help programs. I really do appreciate your efforts in creating a General Plan that will take this County forward into the future. As I said, the Goals, Policies and Standards appear to be well thought out and address the best interest of the Island. However, without the proper Courses of Actions these goals will just remain goals and never be realized. Thank you for your time and consideration of my viewpoints. With much aloha and appreciation for all you do, Lori Beach 4