HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.124 2006-2008 Murashige, Laura
From: Patrick Welle [PWelle@bemidjistate.edu]
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 6:35 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Support Resolution 169-07
Council Members,
This brief message is to encourage you to support Resolution 169-07 and to consider the
long-term interests of the people of Ka'u and Hawaii. I am an environmental economist who
has worked on sustainable development issues, including Hawaii. I lead a university field
program to Hawaii on a regular basis and have come to know Ka'u and its rich natural,
cultural and human assets quite well. I have spent a good deal of time getting to know
Punalu'u and its residents.
As with so many conflicts today between short-sighted, intensive development and a
sustainable environmental and economic future, the temptation is to go with the near-term
financial return at the sacrifice of a sound future. As an economist who sees these
tensions playing out in so many areas around the world, particularly in the U.S., I urge
you to consider that preserving the unique assets of Punalu'u is the path to a better
economic future rather than an unsustainable development as is being proposed. Please
support Resolution 169-07.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrick G. Welle
Dr. Patrick Welle
Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies Bemidji State University DH 20, Mail Box
30 1500 Birchmont Drive Bemidji, NIId 56601
(218) 755-4103
FAX (218) 755-4107
pwelleC~bemidjistate.edu
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