HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.716 2006-2008 Murashige, Laura
From: gayleh@theriver.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 5:44 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Punaluu development proposal ~~~~i f ~ ~
Councilmembers, ~ - '
;
I am not as well informed on the Punaluu development proposal as I~~would like'to be, but
feel the need to comment.
My husband and I have owned a condominium at Sea Mountain for 20 years.
He is an astronomer and comes to Hawaii every summer to teach an astronomy class at UH
Hilo. I come with him when I can.
I have read several news articles about the proposal, and hope my comments are more or
less on target.
First, it seems important to me to preserve as much of the Punaluu beach front as
possible. Over the years (I have been visiting Hawaii since the early 1970s), i have been
alarmed to see so many of the prime beaches become the locations for high end hotels,
sometimes with difficult access for local people.
Second, any new hotel/resort that is built should be as small and "ecofriendly" as
possible. It should sit well back from the beach.
Third, as I understand it, one proposal wants to rezone agricultural land to resort land.
This seems very shortsighted. Even though Kau is dry, making some kinds of agriculture
difficult, there are undoubtedly arid land crops that would grow here. Instead of
converting agricultural land to resort land, Hawaii should be making serious efforts to
promote sustainable agriculture so it can reduce the food products imported from the
mainland.
Fourth, I would like to see a REAL effort made to find other sources of employment, rather
than the generally menial labor associated with hotels.
What about, for example, an assisted living facility? The Kau hospital is nearby making
this seem like a good location.
Thus, I encourage you to vote for something OTHER than another large resort. Hawaii has
plenty of those. Be original! Try to come up with better options that will benefit more
people than the large developers.
Sincerely,
Gayle Hartmann
Unit 66, Sea Mountain at Punaluu
also, 2224 E. 4th St.
Tucson, AZ 85719
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