HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0426.019 2004-2006 11/08/200b ]3:31 325559' Krp Ft,,3F i31
Good Afternoon Council Members, 'SF~ventber (3, 200a
My name is Dorothy Walsh and I have testified previously regarding my opposition to
the currently proposed agricultural tourism bill. Our propert}• is situated 5~'~ feet from a
huge agricultural tourism operation. Unlike most coffee farmers, our neighbors, Kona.
Joe Coffee have alrcndy spent several million dollars enhancing their tm,ris!m operatior .
They are not some small country farmer who is looking for another avenue to enhance
his coffee revenues and support his family.
As a result of my last lestirnony in opposition to the agricultural tourism bill on
September 20th, our family his fallen under siege of attack by our neighbors who will
stop at nothing to move forward with their agricultural tourism venture. On dcrober
25, I spoke with Bennett Markin Planning regarding their "fund- raiser'" tc+ be held on
November 19. This fund-raiser has been advertised island wide and will host an open
cash bar, 3 lirve bands, a comedy hour, silent auction, barista competition, and barbegne.
W hen I asked Bennett Mark about this sort otactivity being ailowed ou agriculturnl
land, his reply was that just because it was being advertised, it doesn't mean that they
will actually have this event- He told me that if the event actually does take place, I
should document the events to prove that it actually happened, and after that, he would
speak with them to warn tbem that ibis sort of activity is not ailowed.
I believe that everyone who is interested in having an agricultural iouri5nr t s~eraziou
needs to apply for a special use permit. This would alert the county to pote,rtially
harmful infrastructure and would alert the neighbors to allow a voice. ]r;ac~i agricultural
tourism operation will be different, and each one needs to follow a strict set of criteria
for noise abatement and safety concerns. The current agricultural tourism bill shows
little to no regulations and has no means by which anything caa be enfce•cec.
Since there is a posted flier in the mayors office, I'm sure mum of you here today have
been invited to the Kona Joe fund-raiser on November 19. If you do attend, please na::~
how close the neighbors are and the numerous safety concerns that are not addressedt•t
the current agricultural tourism bill.
The agricultural tourism bill is a huge one, please take it seriously and revise the curre~ti
bill before the council to prevent this bill from turning into s Hawaiian island nightma •e.
Thank yon very much,
Dorothy Walsh
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