HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0176.018 2006-2008
03/20/2007 08:44 3265697 KCO PAGE 01
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Iit'Cttda d. POrd ' Phone No.: (808)326-5684
Conne!!Alawbar Fac No.: (808) 329-d786
ntslr/cr 7-Crnlrall(pna E-Mail: bfordQco.hawaii.hi.us
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hmvai'i
Kailua Tradr. (lerefer
75•.5706 Xanama Place, Suits 109
Kailua-Kona. Nawai'i 9(740
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DATE: Mh'ck Zvi 2007 ~
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PHONE:
FAX: 961-8912 T' I
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Tf there are any questions please callus at (808)326,5684,
'1'hanlc you,
Debralee Kailiwai-Ray
Counsel Aide to Hawaii County Council Mcmbcr 13rcnda Ford
dkailiwairayCa~co. hawaii.hi. us
(808)326.5584
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Naiuni'/ Count' ?.r.ln EqualOppnrtwtky provtdrrAnd Employer Ref. Toc
Ref. Date MAR ?
03/20/2007 08:44 3265697 KCO PAGE 02
Testimony Re: Bill S l
Tuesday, March 21, 2007, 8:30 AM
My name is Tomoe Nimori, resident of North Kona. Thank you for this opportunity to express
my views. My concern for flood control laws is based on two perspectives.
1. My first persye~tive is personal. My family fanu cstablislxcd by my.grandparetxts in early
t 910 has been damaged by flood waters, especially in 1997. I have since learned that the lands
within the. Kona Soil and Water ('nnserva6nn are a part of the Knna Field System, once a
complex agicultural system developed by pre-contact Hawaiians.
In the early 60's and $0's severe flooding along sections of dxe geologically young slopes of
Hualalai and Mauna Loa Mountains caused considerable damage to roads, homes and business
establishment;,. Flood studies of North and South Kona developed in the 1980s were limited to
the area between the coastline to approximately 1500 feet elevation. Today, agricultural
davelopment continues to increase at elevations between 1500 aad 2400 ft. I aslc of you, please,
keep flood studies current Tf not, aze developers for agricultural, residential. and commercial
units basing theft decisions on information from outdated North and South Kona Flood studies?
2. My second perspective is as a member of Pulama is Kona Heritage Preservation Council.
Pularna's mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the special qualities of historic Kona.
Our efforta to date have been on creating a Heritage Corridor along Mamalahoa }Iighway from
Puw~ahulu to Hookena. However, dxerc is more to Kona that needs to be protceMd and
preserved. Unless flood issues are resolved, the special qualities of all of Kona, not just
Mamalahoa Highway wit] be lost.
Preservirtl; these sites will benefit Hawaii County, economically in two ways: (1) Residents will
maintain their neighborhoods with pride with en understanding of the history of their area.
Future county funds will not be needed to reduce deteriorating neighborhoods; (2) Visitors who
seek meaningtir! experiezlces in their travels will choose to visit areas with cultural des to the
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Flood prevention goes beyond minimizing destruction to that ofenhaxrcing the special
charaeterislics of Kona.
Thank you.
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