HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.780 2006-2008
Jeff Silva July 6, 2007
PO Box 201
Pahaln, Hi
96777
928-6174
Mr. Bob Jacobson
Council member e
;
25 Aupuni St, Suite 200
Hilo, Hi ~
96720 7,
Y~
Dear Mr. Jacobson,
Thank you for your efforts to protect Punalu'u. Tam writing today to provide ydu
with some input that may or may not be helpful to you and the Council to make a
decision on the Punalu'u issue.
Recently, Council member Yngong sent out a survey, which I found to be quite
difficult for many community members to answer. The main problem is that the
wording was essentially support "the resolution;' or support "the development." Of
course, it is just not that simple.
Although I firmly support the resolution with some inevitable changes to the exact
wording, I found it unnerving that anyone not supporting the resolution was by
default supporting wholesale development. Many of the people I have spoken to who
do not support the resolution you proposed, still would like to see Punalu'u
protected, but are concerned with the proper management of the park. There is
some question as to the goals and motivations of Kau Preservation. A conflict of
interest seems apparent. Some also have concerns that private property rights are
respected.
I feel that the Kn'u community was poorly served by this "survey." I am sure
Council member Yngong had no intention of further confusing the issue.
In Sea Mountain Five's recent letter, which had no return address or contact phone
number for further clarifications, their "benefits" to the community appear more
like bribes to be paid after each individual approval for the SMA, grading permits,
etc. Obviously, they feel the project will be lucrative enough to pay some people
off, but how could this be enforced? They also promise jobs for the local
community. Has anyone checked the unemployment rate in Knu? I believe that''
Comm. No. ~ T 7~~
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nearly everyone who wants to work is working. As far ns commuting is concerned, I
feel this to be more of a housing issue. Bring the houses where the work is, not the
work to the rural areas that are critical to this islands sustninability. A resort in
Punalu'u would without question increase the cost of living and housing in Ka'u. One
could only expect higher, i.e. tourist, prices for food, water, fuel, property taxes,
and every necessity of life. The residents of Konn could vouch for this.
By supporting local agricultural projects that employ smaller numbers of people, the
Council will ensure continued, gradual agricultural growth in the wake of the
breakdown of the plantations. Ka'u is really the last hope for Hawaii's farmers,
ranchers, AND the tourist industry, as the beauty of Ka'u's longest undeveloped
shoreline brings visitors here. Support what Hawaii was, is, and can be for years to
come.
I hope that the information I hove presented will be helpful to you and the Council
to serve the people of Ka'u.
Sincerely,
Jeff Silva