HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0939.031 2004-2006
July 31, 2006
Hawaii County Council
Councilman Stacey Higa, Chair
Subject: Support for Resolution No. 383-06
Aloha Chairman Higa and members of the Hawaii County Council,
I'd like you to consider my testimony in support of Resolution 383-06.
By way of introduction, I was born and raised in Hawaii and literally grew up in
island waters. I continuously work on ocean related issues and have served as
a member of the Hawaii County Council's ad-hoc Committee on Small Boat
harbors, the West Hawaii Fishery Council, the Northwest Hawaiian Islands
Reserve Council, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and I have
actively participated in and contributed to the planning process for ocean
recreation development across the State for over 30 years.
I have had the opportunity to meet with Jim Jacoby and several members of
the Jacoby Development team, at great length, and to review their plans for
Kona Kai Ola. I believe that Jacoby Development has the commitment, desire,
skills and experience to deliver a quality development that minimizes its impact
on the West Hawaii and Big Island communities and at the same time
contributes several unique solutions to the growth-related problems we are
experiencing here in West Hawaii.
I strongly support returning the resort node to the land use designation in the
State lands adjacent to Honokohau Harbor. This will allow Jacoby
Development, in a private-public partnership with the State of Hawaii DLNR
and DHHL, to design a project with an expanded marina facility (which we
need) that is provided the necessary support of a mixed-use project including
resort, commercial and retail activities.
Jacoby Development's plans to build the needed extension of Kuakini Highway
through Queen Liliuokalani Trust Lands to Kealakehe Parkway will certainly
help to alleviate traffic for all of us in Kona. Their plans to create a shuttle
transportation system throughout the area will further alleviate traffic. Other
plans include a number of environmentally sensitive and creative contributions
to the completion of our new community center in the Kealakehe/Honokohau "
area. Comm. No.
Ref. To: Pr~'~
Ref. Date~__~
I ask that the County Council support this resolution directing the Planning
Director to review and reconsider the General Plan and the General Plan Land
Use Pattern Allocation Guide map and return the Open, Resort, and Urban
Expansion area designation within the State lands adjoining Honokohau
Harbor at Kealakehe, North Kona.
Mahalo,
Rick Gaffney
Kalaoa, North Kona
325-5000