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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0765.001 2004-2006 NORTH KOHALA A RURAL DISTRICT MANIFESTO In the face of the on-rushing urban development in the state of Hawaii, it has become necessary to preserve and protect the few really rural communities left. We are the lifeblood of the future. We must be absolutely clear about what it is that is important to us and make that known to all concerned, other wise be constantly fighting an out of control pattern of development that in the end will destroy the very land we have chosen to hold in righteousness as stated in the state motto. We are a rural district with our multi-cultural Ohana intact. We have chosen to operate by simple rural and village values such as aloha, ohana, and kokua. We have rebuilt our businesses by ourselves to support the beauty of this culture and its artifacts. We won a presidential award for the sustainable recovery of our towns after our last industry, sugar, disappeared. But, in these days and times tourism is a fragile business. We chose to live in an environment where we can see nature all around us. We choose to live in a community where everyone can come to know each other. We stand today at the edge of that possibility and therefore claim that we have achieved the correct population for the land and its resources and say we have reached our desirable carrying capacity. Therefore we seek no further development that will increase our population. We seek only development that will build a real sustainable industry like farming and the affordable housing that entails. We choose to live in a natural footprint without tall buildings, excess lights, and excess noise as detractors. We like a green day view and a dark night view. Charming unlighted narrow streets are fine and don't need to follow a grid. We aspire to ~ Corm No, Ref. To, [raaw00 f "d~ r never having a traffic signal here. All buildings should seek to hide in the hillsides. We want clean water and access to our streams and shores. We will acquire open space for future needs and to allow a breath between all that we do. We value good meeting places where we can keep track of our small groups and our future plans. We are accustomed to having several great dance halls and small theaters. We need a dependable newspaper or its modern day version to provide continuity for our local planning process. We expect our fair share of the tax money that we provide the county and will apply it to a locally generated list of needs. We expect an immediate and direct disclosure of these resources as they are tallied and empower our councilman to attend to the current list of priorities we determine. We intend to become self-sufficient in energy, food, clean water, and emergency preparedness as soon as is practicable. We expect the basic services we have received to improve as they normally do in a progressive world. With these firm and clear rural objectives we believe we can continue to pursue our mission of local leadership with the multi-cultural volunteer culture we have nurtured. We expect that those who serve us at the county level and above will become conscious of these lour rights and chosen ways to support our State Motto that the land shall be held in righteousness. Submitted as a draft to prepare for the upcoming community planning meetings town recorder We Need Your Support Now to Save Our North Kohala Pristine Dark Skies Wind Turbines OK, Flashing Red Lights No Way The Issue: • There is light pollution from 16 flashing re is atop our new wind turbines. • This industrial strength lighting affects everyone et you see it from your house or when driving into Hawi. • How did this light pollution come to be? What we have done: • We have contacted the developer, Hawi Renewable Development. • We have contacted the State Airport Division. • We have contacted the FAA regional office in Honolulu. • We have consulted with the International Dark Skies organization. • We have contacted local light pollution specialists. Possible Solutions: • Install radar equipment to detect aircraft and automatically turn lights on and off • Install equipment to allow pilot to "squawk" lights on when needed. • Privatization of the Upolu airport What you can do: • Join us in finding a way to keep our North Kohala skies dark. • Tell your friends and neighbors to support this community effort. Contact: Richard at