HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0032.026 2006-2008 Page 1 of 2
Murashige, Laura
From: Jeanne Ryan [jeannelouiseryan@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 10:29 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: VOTE YES on Resolution 21-071
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Testimony from Jeanne Ryan regarding Resolution 21-07 ~ ~ ~
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Street address:
310 B Ululani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Mailing_address: _
PO Box 10094
Hilo, HI 96721
Phone:808-969-3103
Dear County Council members:
I am writing to testify regarding Resolution 21-07. I urge the County Council to vote in favor of sending this
resolution to the county planning commission for review.
I am deeply concerned about the negative impacts supercenters would have on the Big Island's economy and
environment.
Limiting supercenter stores on the Big Island would not prevent COSTCO I Wal-Mart / K-Mart from continuing to
do business or open new stores. It would prevent the negative impacts that supercenter stores with large
groceries bring to communities.
Numerous studies show that big-box stores with large grocery sections create many problems for the
communities where they are developed. Such stores can start a destructive domino effect. Often, they force
other grocery stores out of business; shops that are located in the same shopping area then go under as well.
This causes blight and -rather than increasing competition -eliminates consumer choices. In addition to the
economic loss that results, the loss of shopping choices can be particularly devastating to community members,
such as the elderly and less fortunate, who rely on stores nearby them for food.
In addition, supercenter development would be a step back in terms of supporting a sustainable island economy.
A focus for all of Hawaii is supporting industries that both enhance residents' ability to find better-paying jobs and
mitigate against the tenuous position of being overly reliant on tourism or off-island products, such as food.
Support of sustainable development is essential for us to have a healthy local economy that can provide residents
with a decent quality of life and keep the island somewhat insulated from catastrophic economic events that could
threaten tourism or cause a drastic increase in off-island prices.
Unlimited development of non-local superstores will not foster businesses that offer meaningful job opportunities.
Unlimited development of such stores will also make us more dependent than ever on off-island food products. in
particular, I am concerned about how such development would affect our island food producers, who are vital for
sustainability.
Finally, beyond economic issues, supercenters erase the identity of a community. I do not want the Big Island's
unique culture to be replaced by generic box stores.
I urge the planning committee to forward Resolution 21-07 for further review. I hope the county will take the time
to fully explore the impacts of supercenters; there is a great deal of information available that clearly shows the
extensive negative effect they have on communities. We need careful, proactive planning to guide development
that will support our island and the people that live here. rz Z Zb
Comm. No._7
Ref. To: Pr : Z
2/6/2007 Ref. Date
Page 2 of 2
This is a very important issue, one on which I wanted to testify in person. I am very disappointed that the
videoconference feed from east to west is not available to residents on the east side. This limits our ability to
participate in local government.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Jeanne Ryan
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2/6/2007