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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0912.000 2004-2006 uoJHSY UI M,~~i Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu Mayor Managing Director Peter L. Hendricks •r'r .^.}'°.'•y~ Depnty Managing Director • Oi N• Evullfv of cttfuttii 25 Auimm Street Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 329-5226 • Fax(808)326-5663 May 19, 2006 Council Chairman Stacy Higa and Members of the County Council County of Hawaii Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Honorable Chairman Higa and Council Members: The County of Hawaii Planning Department has initiated the process for the Puna District Community Development Plan (CDP). The General Plan calls for the formation of a Steering Committee that is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council. We would appreciate your attention to this matter as we would like to introduce the Puna District Community Development Plan Steering Committee (CDPSC) at our community workshops, the first to be held on July 22, 2006 in Keaau. Therefore, we are requesting that this be placed on the June 6, 2006 Planning Committee Agenda for discussion and with confirmation of these individuals on the June 21, 2006 full Council agenda. The Puna District CDPSC will consist of 11 members who reside in the Puna District. Their primary purpose is to ensure that the Puna District CDP process has a broad base of community participation and is prepared in the best interest of the health and welfare of the community. The Steering Committee would in many ways serve as ambassadors for the planning process. Their term is for an 18 month period and would be extended, if necessary, to run parallel with the CDP process. It is my pleasure to inform you that I have appointed the following individuals to the newly created Puna District CDPSC: 1. Darren M. Ali Chong is a 10-year resident of Puna District and lives in the Hawaiian Paradise Park Subdivision. He is presently a Realtor for Ala Kai Realty, Inc., was past Director of Operations for Kamehemena Schools, Hawaii Campus and a former Comm. No. q12- Ref. To: Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref. Date MAT 2 2 20 Council Chairman Stacy Higa and Members of the County Council May 19, 2006 Page 2 police officer. Darren is currently a Director of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association, the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber and Junior Achievement as well as a member of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Civic Association and Hawaii Island United Way. As a citizen of Puna, he is concerned about how the Puna District will be built-out in the years to come and believes that doing what is right or "pono" is extremely important. 2. Eddie Alonzo is a 46-year Puna District resident and lives in Kurtistown. He is currently a laborer with the County of Hawaii, Public Works, Highways Division - Puna Roads. Eddie is a UPW union steward, was past President of the Lehua Jaycees and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, past Secretary of the Keaau Ag Lots Association and past District Director of the Hawaii Jaycees. As a former member of the County's Planning Commission, he participated in the resolution of issues concerning the community. As a County worker, Eddie has seen major flood areas, wind and lava flow damages, and has knowledge of areas needing improvement. 3. Stephanie Bath is a Puna District resident of over 24 years and lives in the Hawaiian Acres Subdivision. She is self-employed as a licensed massage therapist, is currently Planning Chair for the Hawaiian Acres Community Association, a member of the Cub Scout Troop 89 Committee, as well as past member of the Sierra Club, the Puna Regional Circulation Plan Community Advisory Group and Make a Difference Day Committee. Stephanie believes that it is a sacred responsibility to preserve what we have on this island for future generations, not just for our grandchildren, but for all. 4. W. Gregory Braun is a 34-year Puna resident and lives in the Vacationland Subdivision. He is the owner of Asia Pacific Flowers, Inc. Greg is a member of and served as an officer of the Big Island Dendrobium Growers, the Hawaii Tropical Flower Council and the Hawaii Florist & Shippers Association. He is a member of the Farm Bureau and was a past president of the Vacationland Community Association. He lived in Glenwood from 1972 - 1980 and in Kapoho from 1980. Greg states that while he is a realist in dealing with grandfathered rural subdivisions, he still believes a foundation of proper planning must be developed as the resident population increases. 5. Barbara M. Lively is a 20-year Puna District resident and lives in the Ainaloa Subdivision. She is currently an aide to Council Member Bob Jacobson and is a facilitator for the Hawaii County Resource Center. Barbara is presently a Board Vice President for the Puna Performing Arts and Board Secretary for the Grassroots Community Development Group, as well as a member of the Pahoa Elementary PTSA and Ainaloa Community Association. She states that she wants to be part of this exciting process to try to ensure "smart growth" for Puna's future. Corporation Council Chairman Stacy Higa and Members of the County Council May 19, 2006 Page 3 Counsel has found no language in the County Charter, the County Code or the Hawaii Revised Statutes which would preclude Barbara from serving on this Committee. 6. B. Martha Lockwood is a 30-year Puna resident and lives in Volcano in the Anuhea House Lots Subdivision. She is the office manager of Geohazards Consultant International. Martha is president of the Volcano Community Foundation, treasurer of the Iiwi Road Tenants & Landowners, a Board member of the Cooper Center Council, past treasurer of the Hawaii County League of Women Voters and the Volcano Community Association as well as former Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout Den Mother, 4H Club leader and volunteer tutor at Mt. View School. She states that she has been working on community issues in the Volcano community for over 20 years, including the establishment of the Volcano Community Association and the setting up of the Cooper Center facility. 7. Jon A. Olson is a 12-year Puna District resident and lives in the Leilani Estates Subdivision. He was previously self-employed in aquaculture. Jon is currently on the Puna Traffic Safety Council, Pahoa Main Street Board, Puna Friends of the Park and past Puna Community Council member. He states that for 16 years, he has worked on planning and related issues in Puna 8. Shirley M. Pedro has lived in Puna for less than a year. She is currently an office clerk for Richard Lee-Ching, M.D. and is the present Treasurer and past Secretary of the Makuu Farmers Association. As a lessee of a Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) Ag Lot in Puna she states that she has worked collaboratively with community associations, various businesses, DHHL and UH Hilo to establish a sustainable income for her family. This process has shown her the need for other additional crops for community consumption (i.e., hydroponic lettuce) and also a marketing avenue (Makuu Farmers' Market) for other farmers and their products. 9. Alan S. Rudo is a 5-year Puna District resident and lives in the Hawaiian Paradise Park Subdivision. He is currently an Insurance Agent with Prudential Financial. Alan is a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Team and has also focused on solving social issues such as feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and clothing the poor. As a long-standing business owner, home-owner, husband and father of four, he believes he has a well-rounded sense of the community and the community's needs. Alan shares a true love and respect for the 'ama. and hopes to be a part of its caretaking. 10. Kim D. Tavares is a 14-year Puna District resident and lives in the Fern Forest Subdivision. She is a member and employee of the Fern Forest Community Association, is President of the Hawaii Invasive Species Management & Education. Corp. and a member of the Community Development Hui of Fern Forest. Kim recognizes the need to pool resourceful people from within and near the community Council Chairman Stacy Higa and Members of the County Council May 19, 2006 Page 4 to brainstorm and to take action towards long lasting solutions. Most of her projects involve public outreach and education in upper Puna subdivisions (Mt. View to Volcano). Kim considers herself a "bridge" or interpreter" between groups and tries to weave all views and energy into one long range plan where everyone's views are heard and preserved. 11. Frederick R. Warshauer is a 35-year Puna District resident and lives in the Volcano Golf and Country Club Subdivision. He is presently a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division and was formerly a Coastal Zone Management Planner with the County of Hawaii. Rick is a member of the Olaa- Kilauea Partnership and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, a board member of the Volcano Community Association, and was a member of the Puna Geothermal Committee. His experience with the Olaa-Kilauea Partnership involves numerous community issues that are resolved by consensus. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call me at your convenience. Your review and favorable confirmation of these names would be appreciated. Aloha, Harry Kim MAYOR ETI: P:\ WP W IN60\CDP\PUNA CDP\Review Committee\Letters\Council.doc cc: Christopher Yuen, Planning Department Jane Testa, Research and Development Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel Appointees