HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0056.010 2006-2008 Re. Hawaii County Cou4 Its 220 and 221
1 /4/07
I only learned of this hearing late yesterday afternoon, and I'm so glad that I did. My name is
Clara J. Nahooikaika. My husband Wilfred and I are the owner /occupants of 15-2591 Keaau
Pahoa Highway (aka Hwy 130), which is adjacent to the property that Mr. Gardner is trying to get
rezoned. I wish my husband was able to be here but he is in Honolulu due to a death in the
family. I will be our voice today in opposition of Mr. Gardner's application for rezoning.
Wilfred was born and raised in Hilo but after military service remained in Kailua, Oahu, the place
of my roots. Many times throughout our 40+ years of marriage he would tell me he wanted us to
move back "home", especially after his retirement from Honolulu Fire Department. In our early
years I was adamantly uninterested; then reluctant; and then five and a half years ago myjob
was offering voluntary reassignments. With an empty nest and my parents and brothers
deceased, I was ready. Now Pahoa is where I live and where I work.
We looked at over 50 properties in east Hawaii, but I wanted to live in my community, and was
thrilled to find this beautiful property. I was from Oahu so although I wanted country, I wasn't
comfortable with living in an area that was too remote. This old anthurium farm was the perfect
location; big, green, beautiful, county water, easily accessible and close to work. We settled in
our new home in September 2001, and developed such aloha for this place. It is the pertect
haven for our children, grand children and great grand children to call home, and where we
planned o spend the rest of our lives.
In three years the property next door changed ownership three times. Two of the previous
owners lived there briefly but it was their stepping stone to making some money in resale in order
to buy elsewhere. The third owner, Mr. Gardner never lived here although he later stated he had
intentions to but that the planned emergency services and public complex changed his mind. We
heard that he first bought it for his son and also that his wife had no desire to live here. He rented
the dwelling soon after purchasing and pursued this self storage endeavor a few months later.
We even offered to purchase the property. He has tried several times to get us to embrace his
project but plain and simple, we are opposed to it. It's nothing personal. It's just not the right
thing to do. Originally he discussed the idea with my husband only, and at the time Wilfred had
not objected until he told me about the project and we discussed my concerns. Wilfred quickly
realized the issues at hand.
As it turns out a lot of other people have discovered the space and character that Puna offers.
Deteriorating traffic conditions on Hwy 130 is proof. The impatient, rude, and even reckless
behaviors that I've witnessed on this road combined with the growing number of vehicles are
unbelievable. Mr. Gardner says an average of 32 vehicles would enter the facility daily according
to a national survey of storage facilities. Igo in and out of my driveway at least once daily, on
occasion twice. The difference in numbers is like chewing gum and nuts. Throw in all the other
businesses that could evolve from a precedent setting vote and we've oot a nightmare. Hwy 130
has been on the State's list of roadways for a high rate of accidents and fatalities. Careful
Ip
arming and vision are imperative which I am hopeful that this Council recognizes. The County
Planning Commission did when they made their unfavorable recommendation last spring. Did
anyone read that testimony? Why have commissions if their recommendations aren't going to be
considered?
Approximately two years ago the neighbor on the Hilo side of us put up a huge sign "Future
Home of Black Rock Self Storage". The sign was later removed, however if Mr. Gardner's
request were approved, can you imagine your family home surrounded by self storage tacilities
on each side? It would open the door to other commercial entities desiring to do business on
Hwy 130.
Mr. Gardner sent us a letter dated December 30, 2006. He attached a copy of his December 26,
2006 correspondence to Emily Naeole, Hawaii County Council member, which he also sent to the
other council members. In the letter he sent us, he said his project would provide us a buffer from
the new fire station and public complex. 1t's not his concern for us but a tactic to self us on his
Comm. No. 0
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Re. Hawaii County Cou• ills 220 and 221
1/A/07 `"J
project. Yes there will be some noise, but it's not all of the time, and we hear them as they pass
by our house now anyway. No one likes hearing sirens but we accept them for their purpose and
public service. I'd rather the occasional siren than the disturbances of the coqui frogs. We all
know early attention was not paid to that problem. Mr. Gardner said the soil is unsuitable for
cultivation. How can he say this? There are large, successful flower growers in close proximity
of our properties. We ourselves want to grow puakenikeni and ti-leaves.
We feel the innuendos Mr. Gardner wrote in his letter were a little bullying, as if meant to scare
us. He mentioned that the State is planning on widening Hwy 130 to four lanes and eventually six
lanes, which may force us to move our house, or lose it. Widening the road is not an absolute
choice. There's the option of constructing an alternative route. Many people in this room
probably have ideas as well; however, our position remains that above all, each and every
rezoning application requires careful consideration. The community lacks a plan currently. The
formulation of the Puna Community Development group is a step in the right direction. I am also
optimistic that the County Council will carefully weigh the recommendations and do the right thing
for everyone, not just an individual's business venture.
Mr. Gardner asked that we consider the self storage facility as the best thing implying that other
uses permitted under existing ag zoning were less desirable. He wanted us to read the letter he
wrote Council woman Naeole "carefully" as he put it because it discusses the impact his project
will have on our land. I wish that there was time to address each veiling point, which he called
merits of the project. For example,
1. Satisfies need of the community.
2. Provides a Buffer to the neighbors.
4. Generation of tax revenues
5. .Low traffic generator.
6. Provide jobs.
8. Limited highway access.
9. Donate Residence to Community for unrestricted use.
12. Public Safety re. Police Chief and Fire Chief Statements
Keeo in mind he is trvino to win vour vote.
Ladies and Gentlemen: - I appeal to you, please consider very, very carefully Mr. Gardner's
application and all future applications for rezoning and commercial development on the Hwy 130
corridor. We are property owners too, and want a say in what is built next door to our home.
Please do not make any decision that will be a detriment in the future. Thank you for allowing me
this time.
Sincerely,
Clara J:
Nah~ooikaika
15-2591 Keaau Pahoa Hwy
P.O. Box 8
Pahoa HI 96778-9998