HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0211.015 2004-2006 filawsii Invs~iv¢ ~p~~i~ I~lens~~rn¢nt ~
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PO Box 338 -Volcano, Hawaii - 96785 ~ Phone/Fax: 808-985-8596 Email: kim(a~hismec.ora ~ www.hismec.org
SATE: April 19, 2005
I'O: Mayor Harry Kim, Council Chair, Vice Chair
and Hawaii County Council Members
HEARING: Tuesday April 19, 2005 1:30pm
SUBJECT: In SUPPORT of Bill No. 80 amendments
Related to the prevention of Residential Subdivision on Agricultural Land
Greetings,
My name is Kim Tavares, president of Hawaii Invasive Species Management &
Education Corporation. HISMEC is dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural
resources of this County.
HISMEC encourages the protection of in-tact native forests in agriculture zones
whenever possible, and also recognizes the importance of diversified agriculture and
growth of the agricultural industry for Hawaii. This island is the only place in the state
with enough agricultural land lefr to sustain these essential needs.
HISMEC strongly discourages the use of agriculture lands for urbanization or
subdivision development. Housing developments are happening at a rapid pace, and
will continue to happen until every possible land tract is developed unless we control it.
In this case, being behind the times is a good thing. It gives us the opportunity to
capitalize on the knowledge that comes with developing agricultural or forest lands for
residences, as has happened on other islands, in other states and across the world.
Urban sprawl over ag lands is of no benefit to residents and farmers. I urge you Mayor
Kim and Council members, to see these amendments all the way through the process, to
prevent the destruction of our precious agricultural economy by saying no to more
speculative development.
Thank you,
Kim Tavares
Resident of Fern Forest, Puna, 9 years
Community Development Hui of Fem Forest (CDHFP), Member 8 years
Fern Forest Community Association (FFCA), Business Manager
Hawaii Invasive Species Management & Education Corporation (HISMEC), President
Comm. No. Z~
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