HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0604.026 1996-1998
Aug-25-98 04:32P vonn ie Lyons 808 322-8899 P.O1
VONN~_ LYONS
PUBLIC RELATIONS, ETC.
78-6789 Makenawai St.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone: (808) 322-6809
FAX: (808) 722-AA99
email: konahawaii@juno.com
August 25, 1998
FAX TO: AARON CHUNG, CHAIRMAN
PINANCE COMMITTEE, HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
FAX NO: 969-3291
RE: RESOLUTION NO. 267-98
DISPOSITION OF FORMER HAHAKUA SUGAR LANDS
It ie my understanding that Councilman Curtic Tyler will be
submitting a recommendation at your mooting Thursday evening that
the Committee Consider a land exchange with Kamehameha Schools
Bishop Estate in order to provide much needed public parking in
Kailua village. KSBE owns a parcel that rune between Kuakini
Highway and Alii Drive at the southern end of Kailua village,
approximately across Alii Drive from Huggo's Restaurant.
Kailua town activity is definitely moving south and public parking
is sorely needed. This need will increase as the village continues
to grow. At the present time, the parking is totally inadequate,
even at the north end of town, wham most businesses are now. with
the addition of the businesses now and soon to be located 1n the
new Coconut Market Place, and a planned expansion of Huggo's, the
parking requirements will increase, even though these new shopping
and activity plazas will have to meet standard requirements to
provide adequate parking spaces for their individual businesses.
As a longtime resident of Kailua-Kona, I strongly urge your
committee to accept Councilman Tyler's recommendations.
On another matter relative to the Hamakua lands, I also understand
that Councilman Tyler will also be recommending a land exchange be
made between the Hamakua Sugar Lands and SoBay Hawaii Inc., present
owners of Wai'aha ]jeaeh, known as Honl's. This beach should never
bo developed by a private landowner. It should be designated a
public park for use by all the people of Hawaii. it is one of the
last beeehee in the Kona dlaLrict and it should not be taken away,
ns it has been used extensively by surfers and their families. It
is one of the few places kids can learn the cultural sport of
~,urfinq and It's importance to the Hawaiian lifestyle.
H`Ile Ne. 17_
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P. ~ Fresenled . ~L
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Aug-25-98 O4:32P vonnie Lyons 808 322-8899 P.O2
Aaron Chung, Council Finance Committe Chair (cont.) Page 2
Wai'aha 8sach is also one of the last remaining view planes along
Alii prive. We must preserve that beach with every effort that can
be made. The residents of Kailua-Kona will certainly never forgive
any County administration that allows development at Honl's.
This exchange would not likely fit in with the present owner's
plans to build a five-story condominium, including a bottom floor
parking area that would be full of water, either from heavy rains
or winter surf, during same months of the year. However, if an
even exchange was offered, he may consider other development ideas
that, in the long run, would be Wore beneficial to him and
certainly be more beneficial to the people of Hawaii.
The Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 205A-26 Special Management
Area guidelines state, "No development shall be approved unless the
authority has first found: (2)(A) That the development will not
have any substantial adverse environmental or ecological
effect"...and (D) Any development which would substantially
interfere with or detract from the line of sight toward the sea..."
Under that statute, this development cannot be approved and the
only answer to that ie to work out an equitable land exchange so
the present owner will go someplace else and leave the beech to the
people.
Thank you for your consideration.
cc: Councilman Curtis Tyler