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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1015.007 2004-2006 HASHIDATE LAW OFFICE THE IMPERIAL HOTHL TOWER, 7m FLOOR C) 1-1, UCHISAIWAICHIO 1-CHOME CHIYODA-KU TOKYO 100-0011, JAPAN 0 c TEL: 03-3504-3800 4.. FAX: 03-3504-1009 cn E-MAIL: n'ih i gfa'hashidatelaw.com 3 August 11, 2(.@6 The Honorable Stacy K Higa, Chair Office of the County Council County of Hawai'i 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, HI 96720 Subject: Testimony in Opposition to the-County's Proposed Acquisition of TMK 3/4-8-004-006 Dear Chairman Higa and Members of the Hawai'i County Council: Thank you very much for this opportunity to submit my testimony in writing as I am unable to attend the meeting of the Hawai'i County Council on August 23, 2006 where I understand you will be considering a resolution authorizing the acquisition of the Rice property C MK 4-8-004: 006) located near the Waipi'o Valley lookout at Kukuihaele. First of all, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kenji Hashidate and although I currently live in Tokyo I can sincerely say that my heart has remained on the island of Hawai'i which I consider a paradise on earth. Although I have been privileged to have made numerous visits here for the past 20 years, I hope to soon seal my bond to your beautiful island by constructing my home on another parcel (TMK 4-8-4: 035) situated nearby at 48-5526 Waipi'o Lookout Road that I purchased several years ago. You see, it has been my dream to retire from my law practice and to relocate my home there at Waipi'o to pursue my second career as a novelist. This was the reason for purchasing my first real property on Hawai'i at the Waikii Ranch subdivision nearly 10 years ago. However, the 10-acre parcel Comm. No. Ref. To:''~* ~d Ref. Date 6.p was much too large for us and the area a little too isolated. After a brief search, I realized that the Waipi'o Valley lookout area with its vast scenic vistas and lush surroundings provided the perfect environment for my new life as a writer. Earlier this summer, I brought my family to see the Rice property that was put up for sale just across the Waipi'o Lookout Road from our lot. My family was as amazed as I on the tranquil beauty and untouched nature of the Rice property with its abundance of huge trees and lush vegetation. Given its proximity to our home, I felt that the existing cabin on the property would provide an ideal studio for my writing. We had been negotiating with the owners to purchase this parcel, not to develop or subdivide it into even more lots, but to maintain it in its present natural state and the scenic vistas it provides to the entire area for future generations. I truly believe that my objective born out of dream to preserve this beautiful piece of nature is not so different from your purpose in acquiring this same piece of land. I would like to suggest that we work together to find a way that both of our goals can be met and for the benefit of the Waipi'o/Kukuihaele community as well. However, I feel that converting this parcel into a visitor center and a parking lot for the adjacent lookout would despoil its natural and scenic beauty, and significantly impact the cultural value of this area consider sacred by many Hawaiians. I have taken the liberty of attaching my previously letter to Mayor Kim which outlines some of my concerns regarding the County's plan for a visitor and educational center similar to Haunama Bay on Oahu. This would ruin the area as well as permanently transforming the natural beauty of this land into facility that would be better constructed elsewhere. I do have some ideas on alternative locations nearby that would not detract from scenic vistas or take away such a huge natural asset. Although I am not licensed to practice law in Hawai'i, I understand that there are laws such as Chapter 343 of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes that require the State and County government to prepare an assessment of the environmental and cultural impacts of such projects prior to a commitment of resources such as that proposed by the resolution to support the acquisition of the Rice property. I would like to suggest that the Council seek a legal opinion from your County Attorneys before taking this step. Since I believe that we can work an arrangement by which the natural beauty of this property can be preserved for our children and for our children's children, the money spent on the acquisition may be better applied to securing other property in the area with less visible impacts on the Waipi'o Valley lookout area and still serve the purpose that you seek in establishing a center where visitors can learn about the nature and culture of this place that we would all like to call home. I believe that there are many besides myself that would also like to find a way that would not add to the traffic, congestion and impact at top of the only road access to Waipi'o Valley. To do otherwise, in my humble opinion, would be, not only bad planning but a crime against nature. I am planning to return to the island in October and would like to discuss how we may work together towards our common goals. If the County Council and the Administration can hold back the proposed resolution until we have talked, you have my word that I will not take any action which precipitates the acquisition of the property. Again, thank you for your patient understanding in this important matter and your favorable consideration of my proposal. sincerely, iii -7010. Kenji Iiashidate Encl. (better dated August 10, 2006 to Mayor Harry Kim) cc:The Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor Members of the Hawai'i County Council