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Murashige, Laura <br /> From: gayleh@theriver.com <br /> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 5:44 PM <br /> <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Subject: Punaluu development proposal ~~~~i f ~ ~ <br /> Councilmembers, ~ - ' <br /> ; <br /> I am not as well informed on the Punaluu development proposal as I~~would like'to be, but <br /> feel the need to comment. <br /> My husband and I have owned a condominium at Sea Mountain for 20 years. <br /> He is an astronomer and comes to Hawaii every summer to teach an astronomy class at UH <br /> Hilo. I come with him when I can. <br /> I have read several news articles about the proposal, and hope my comments are more or <br /> less on target. <br /> First, it seems important to me to preserve as much of the Punaluu beach front as <br /> possible. Over the years (I have been visiting Hawaii since the early 1970s), i have been <br /> alarmed to see so many of the prime beaches become the locations for high end hotels, <br /> sometimes with difficult access for local people. <br /> Second, any new hotel/resort that is built should be as small and "ecofriendly" as <br /> possible. It should sit well back from the beach. <br /> Third, as I understand it, one proposal wants to rezone agricultural land to resort land. <br /> This seems very shortsighted. Even though Kau is dry, making some kinds of agriculture <br /> difficult, there are undoubtedly arid land crops that would grow here. Instead of <br /> converting agricultural land to resort land, Hawaii should be making serious efforts to <br /> promote sustainable agriculture so it can reduce the food products imported from the <br /> mainland. <br /> Fourth, I would like to see a REAL effort made to find other sources of employment, rather <br /> than the generally menial labor associated with hotels. <br /> What about, for example, an assisted living facility? The Kau hospital is nearby making <br /> this seem like a good location. <br /> Thus, I encourage you to vote for something OTHER than another large resort. Hawaii has <br /> plenty of those. Be original! Try to come up with better options that will benefit more <br /> people than the large developers. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Gayle Hartmann <br /> Unit 66, Sea Mountain at Punaluu <br /> also, 2224 E. 4th St. <br /> Tucson, AZ 85719 <br /> co~,:,~...~~w. 3 ~9. <br /> Ref, rot <br /> Ref, pate JUN,,,,_ <br /> 2~ <br /> 2i2UU7 <br /> t <br /> <br />