HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0106.026 2004-2006
Another Voice from Kona
K Angel Pilago
75-5706 Hanama Pl. #109
Kailua-Kona 96740-8980
Dear Angel:
I've been wanting to write for some time and regret I have not done so. I do
feel very concerned about the unabated growth here in Kona I should go to
all of the hearings and make my voice heard, but presently, that is difficult
for me to get out. So hopefully, this letter will suffice, and give some weight
to our objections on the request for zone-change by Pualani Makai.
We have a plethora of issues in our political scene. The}' ALL need
addressing, as we are desperately seeking solutions to our many problems
caused by growth and development.
There appears to be a mind-set that AFFORDABLE HOUSING in the center
of Kailua-Kona is the answer. Developers are hanging that "carrot on a
stick" in front of you all as "bait" to allow them to expand development right
here in town. Chris Yuen has been quoted as implying that workers housed
right here in Kailua will alleviate the traffic problems and the on-going daily
gridlock. So many pertinent issues are being ignored and passed over as
"externalities" (a quote from Sidney Fuke) in regards to the proposed
Pualani Makai Development.
We, in my home and in my neighborhood along Hualalai Road, strongly
object to this proposed development requesting rezoning. We do need
affordable housing, but something has to be done to require developers to
contribute to expanding the infrastructure beyond the zoning standards
established in the 1980s! CRUNCH SOME NUMBERS 14 agricultural
acres along grid-locked Queen Kaahumanu Highway from Nani Kailua to
Lako Street for commercial space and 350 "affordable" apartments
Multiply each apartment with at least 2 autos per family and minimum 2
children per family. What do you get?
Yes, you get 700 more autos and perhaps 700 children needing to go to
school. Is concurrency the answer? Are we pleading? Yes!
Things appear so "piece-meal" and addressed without diligence. Excuses
are: "We are working within the Law or according to the Code." The laws
Comm. No. I
Ref. To~re~--
Ref. Date, AP l
and codes perhaps had good basic intents decades ago, but they don't work
morally or ethically for these times of growth and our changing economy
from agriculture to tourism. Loop-holes are discovered.
The blame-game is being played to the hilt. We can't address the school
situation, because that is the DOE's responsibility. Funding for better
highways jumps around between the County, the State, and the Federal
government. These entities need to work together for the health of the
community rather than the wealth of developers. Are our pleas heard?
Our neighboring schools, Kahakal, Holualoa, and Kealekehe schools are
already overcrowded. School-bus stops are minimal.
Our Queen Kaahumanu Highway is a shame. Depending on the outdated
minimum requirements, the highway goes from 2 lanes to 4 with hardly a
reason. Any time of the day, and not just pau-hana, you know traffic is
backed up all the way from Costco to Keauhou and beyond. Finally, in the
past few weeks, after trying to dodge cars when trying to make alert-hand
turn from Hualalai Road onto Queen K, a left-turn lane was put in. More
recently, here on Hualalai Road, with a 2003 granted re-coning for Ulewehi
Properties, LLC from 5 acre parcels to 15,000 sq. ft. an entry for the same
has been being built since February 2004, where the road is being broadened
right at a blind curve (for us exiting Hua'ai Street, the Kona Orchards
subdivision). Other than this inconceivable planning, we, as neighbors, have
been subjected to constant noise, dirt and dust in the air, earth-shaking
homes. dishes rattling and window shaking for over a year from this on-
going development. I've had to have my house power washed and windows
cleaned far more than regularly done. It appears that the developer could
have the decency to inform these neighbors as to what is going on and how
long it will continue, so we could plan our lives without the nuisance
I am a Hawaiian-born senior come home. I grew up here and went through
the schools in Hilo. I deeply care about our wonderful environment and
heritage and it saddens me to see it gradually being destroyed by callous
oversight and perhaps neglect.
Pat Kurtz
75-650 Hua'ai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 09740 kurtz hawaii.rr.com