HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0909.001 2004-2006
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Murashige, Laura
From: Paul Takamatsu [pcpinc@ilhawaii.net]
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 5:33 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Public Accss.. Commission
To the Honorable Councilpersons,
I hope that you will give great consideration to the look out property at Waipio Valley when deciding on what
properties are worthy of preservation.
The 1.8 acres Waipio Valley lookout property which is adjacent and mauka to the present County lookout point is
up for sale. If it is sold to anyone other than the County or State of Hawaii, Hamakua will lose the last area of
potential County Park space overlooking Waipio Valley "at the point of entrance." Waipio Valley is noted as one
of the most visited places next to Kilauea at Volcano Nat'l. Park. Waipio Valley Lookout has a small parking area
and a roadway leading to this parking lot filled with cars on any given day. This area typifies our island in how it
treats tourism. We spend money sending Hawaiian groups away to spread the wonders and beauty of our
island culture and ask them to endure the task of hunting for safe parking, a clean lua and important and useful
information so that they can enjoy and respect the environment we ask them to come to see.
We have an opportunity to purchase this 1.8 acre parcel and keep it in the hands of the people. What makes this
parcel so interesting is that it has potential to enter it from mauka lands. KSBE owns the property directly mauka
of this property and a trade could be made with KSBE with some of County lands to acquire more land for parking
and a larger expanded park. This would relieve the congestion of the road into the valley and the parking which
at times really needs police direction.
More importantly, it would provide a place not only for tourists, but local families. A place where they can learn
about the valley and it's history. A place where respect for the area will be taught as opposed to thinking of
Waipio as a place for good surf and pig hunting. The taro farmers who labor over their fields (lo'i) deserve better
than that.
It would also help to educate tourists about the wonders and also the dangers of Waipio Valley. With enough
interesting things to participate in at top of Valley, maybe many tourist won't need to go into the valley. Valley
tours could be managed as opposed to having every person who wants to venture into the Valley driving
whatever car they chose into it causing great danger to so many.
There is more to be said for this access/preservation property, but as the listor of the property for sale, I had great
misgivings in presenting any position on this property at all. However, I feel strongly that the County has an
opportunity here to fix a space and parking problem, preserve a unique piece of paradise, add employment
opportunity to the district, assist with the preservation of the greater Waipio Valley by eliminating the need to be in
the valley as opposed to learning about it, offer tourists a clean, informative and interesting place to visit rather
than an overfilled parking lot, and other positive deeds we may not even yet imagine. Because of this I have
written this email. This may seem self serving and you may think what you wish. I only ask that you all ( including
Mayor Kim) look at the property with a future or visionaries perspective and make a right choice. We would not
have beautiful Hanauma Bay today if restriction, education and respect were not demanded by the State. ;In
Hanauma Bay, it was the fish that were protected, in Waipio Valley it would be a culture that's protected.
Aloha,
Paul K. Takamatsu
Principal Broker GRI
Pacific Coast Properties, Inc.
Honokaa, HI 96727 0
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref, Date
6/6/2006