HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.157 2006-2008 i
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June 4, 2007
To: Members of the Hawaii Island County Council
From: Iwao Yonemitsu, Resident of Naalehu, Hawaii
My name is Iwao Yonemitsu. My wife, Alice, a retired teacher, and I aze lifelong
residents of Ka'u. Except for attending high school in Hilo for three years and serving in
the United States Army for two years during World War R, I have lived in Naalehu for 78
years. Our four children were born in Ka'u, attended public schools here before going on
to college in Hilo, Honolulu, Oregon and Washington. Three live and work in the Seattle
azea and one in Oahu. Two of them would like to come back to the Island of Hawaii.
I worked for Hutchinson Sugaz Plantation Company and Ka'u Sugar Company for
more than forty years of which thirty-two years were spent in agricultural research and
crop control. This job gave me the opportunity to gain an intimate knowledge of all
azeas, extending from Ka Lae (South Point) to the National Pazk boundary.
My view of preservation and development is that neither can be attained without
considering the other point of view. Historical and natural resources should be preserved,
but should not be extremely restrictive that no development can take place. Each
preservation situation will differ and must be handled on a case by case basis.
Development should be controlled and measured, taking into consideration the impact on
historical sites and existing infrastructure. Most importantly, development must be
sustainable as to create job opportunities for the residents of the district.
Finally, I would like to see the Council appoint a committee that would be able to
develop a comprehensive plan for the District of Ka'u. Ka'u is a very large district with
many natural resources and azeas of historical significance. If you give this committee
the resources and technical help necessary, I am sure that the members of the committee
will be able to come up with a plan that will allow an orderly, well-thought out plan for
the development of our natural resources and preservation of historical sites. Many
studies have been made of historical sites, natural resources, various crops suitable for
cultivation, etc. and need not be duplicated. Ka'u should remain primarily agricultural,
but for diversification, development of other job enhancing opportunities should be en-
couraged. Like all plans, it must be reviewed at periodic intervals and revised or modi-
fied as required.
In my opinion, the resolution before us is premature, if all of the possible scenarios
have not been considered and duly discussed. My knowledge of the Punaluu situation
has been gleaned from media information and watching the Council's finance committee
meeting on television. I commend the Council members for deciding to hold this hearing
in Ka'u before taking action. I think you, as Council members, should do independent
research, as I am sure you each have sources within the district of people who will give
you their unvarnished opinions. I am sure you will receive divergent points of view, but
as elected officials, you have the ultimate responsibility of m~aoki-n`g the final decision.
Ref. Tos ~
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