HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0964.032 2004-2006
TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 309
BY DAVID TARNAS,
MARINE AND COASTAL SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PLANNING CONSULTANT TO JACOBY DEVELOMENT, INC.
AUGUST 23, 2006
Aloha
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Bill 309, Interim General Plan Amendment E-4,
which amends the General Plan for the Kealakehe makai lands from "Open" to "Urban Expansion
Area.,,
Among the lands covered under Amendment E-4, there are 300 acres that are covered by a Development
Agreement between the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Jacoby Development, Inc. This
agreement requires Jacoby Development, Inc. to complete a Master Development Plan, Core
Infrastructure Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement by November, 2006. The project
envisioned under this agreement is to expand the harbor basin, and do a mixed-use development project
around the new harbor including commercial, hotel, timeshare, and marina-related industrial activities,
as well as community and open space.
Designating these DLNR lands as Urban Expansion Area is consistent with the land use designation of
adjacent lands, specifically the 200-acre parcel under the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands which is
already designated Urban Expansion Area.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) decided to issue a commercial lease for this 200-
acre parcel, to generate revenues to support DHHL residential development programs elsewhere. There
is a large DHHL residential project located mauka in Kealakehe ahupua'a, at the Villages of La'i'opua.
Under the commercial lease with a Jacoby Development, Inc. partnership for these 200 acres, the mixed-
use commercial development project included retail, hotel, timeshare, commercial, industrial, golf
course, community and open space.
These two state agencies have agreed to have Jacoby master plan the adjacent parcels, This
development, called Kona Kai Ola, is being designed to support the necessary financing of the
substantial public infrastructure that is part of the project, including the new harbor, the connector road
to Kailua Village, improved water and sewer systems, as well as other community infrastructure
including a major shoreline park, cycling and walking paths, community areas and cultural parks within
the development project, itself.
This harbor-front commercial village seeks to provide a stable employment base close to residential
growth areas planned for Kona. While hotel and timeshares are included under the agreements with
DHHL and DLNR, permanent housing on these lease lands is specifically prohibited under the
agreements. The worker housing that will be required of the project could potentially be developed
mauka in the same or adjacent ahupua'a, and connected by a shuttle service to the makai lands. In this
way, Kona Kai Ola hopes to create a sustainable ahupua'a, where people can live, work, play and learn.
Using smart growth design principles, this collaborative project of DHHL, DLNR and Jacoby
Development, Inc. intends to create a community-friendly place for residents and visitors alike, that uses
the best in transportation planning, environmentally-sensitive and energy-efficient design.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Bill 309, Amendment E-4. Gomm. No. Qr_ ` 44. Q
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Tarnas testimony on Bill 309 Ref. Uot,yL AUG 21