HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.064 2006-2008
6/4/2007
A. David Carroll
P.O. Box 654
Naalehu, Hawaii 96772
June 4, 2007
Testimony - Proaosed Jacobson Bill
Aloha, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dave Carroll. My wife and I own a home
in Naalehu and permanently reside in Ka'u.
Thank you for traveling to Naalehu, today, so that you can listen to the residents of
Ka'u express their views on the future of Ka'u, and specifically the proposed
"Jacobson Bill".
I wish to voice my strong oaoosition to the proposed "Jacobson Bill".
The "tug of war" that you are witnessing here in Ka'u is not an issue of conservation
versus development because both sides want to protect the natural beauty and
resources of Punalu'u, while at the same time offering different plans to stimulate the
economy of this region.
So it boils down to which of the two plans provides the "economic engine" to make
Ka'u a thriving community, again.
Two points to consider: First, Punalu'u is ideally suited to grow -tourism! Tourists
from all over the world love Punalu'u, the Black Sand Beach, the turtles, and the
snorkeling. And it almost never rains!
The coastal properties at Punalu'u get very little rain, lots of wind and salt -not great
if you're trying to grow crops but fantastic if you are a tourist!
The new Sea Mountain Resort offers the "economic engine", professional expertise
and financial backing to attract tourists to visit Punalu'u and to stay in one of their
resort guest rooms for several days, a week or more. Why stay in Kona or Hilo when
the resort in Punalu'u offers visitors excellent resort amenities such as golf, water
sports, fishing, and, of course the natural beauty of Punalu'u?
Comm. No,
Ref. Toe
Ref. DoteJflf~1 d ~nny
6/4/2007
In Ka'u, we can show the world the Big Island's many cultures, including the
Hawaiian culture. Even though Ka'u does not have many financial resources, we
have been blessed with wonderful human resources!
There is a new community service organization in Ka'u called 'O Ka'u Kakou (OKK)
that has a vision for amulti-cultural center at Punalu'u. This center would share the
many cultures that are part of Ka'u, not only with the tourists but also with our
neighbors and us.
Secondly, this community will experience an enormous financial gain from the influx
of new residents that invest in their homes at Sea Mountain. New residents and
homeowners will pay their taxes and help us revive the schools, the hospital, the
police force, fire department and the whole region. Initially, there will be a "boom" in
the construction trades. In the long-term the community will achieve sustainable
growth through good jobs in the hospitality industry and dozens of other businesses
that will service the community.
Thank you for your attention to my remarks. Mahalo!
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