HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.815 2006-2008 Page 1 of 2
Murashige, Laura
From: Melissa Fleming [mfleming@co.hawaii.hi.us] i„, 1 ~ r
1r
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 9:27 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: FW: Why can't we all just get along in Ka'u
From: Ronald Self [mailto:selflaw@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 1:48 PM
To: gov@hawaii.gov; senkokubun@capitol.hawaii.gov; repherkes@capitol.hawaii.gov;
cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us; Jacobson, Bob
Subject: Why can't we all just get along in Ka'u
Aloha to you, the honorable group of direct State and County reepresenatives of Ka'u Hawaii:
Much has been said over the past few yeazs, and much before, about Ka'u Hawaii, the pico of our State.
Robert Iwamoto and Clyde Kanashiro, (you know who they are), own Sea Mountain at Punalu'u, black
sand beach. It is a fair statement to say that SM Investments, the aforementioned gentlemen's company,
has done a miserable and harmful job of being the stewarts of such a special place. For about the last ten
yeazs these gentlemen have expended almost no money in the care and maintenance of the land. They
hire almost no people and allow the ponds, grounds, and the infrastructure to fall into critical disrepair.
Interestingly, no government agency, from any level of government, has acted or even complained to
these owners about their care of this major public sanctuary of immersurable historical and bioligical
significance: Not D.L.N.R., not the E.P.A, not the Health Departments, not Parks and Recreation, not
your offices.
The only voice of love and reason for the Ka'u coast, including Punalu'u, has come from the greater Ka'u
community, the Hawaiian community. and many other concerned citizen people. Ka'u Preservation is a
non-profit, grass roots. volunteer community organization, who is only supported by its
volunteer membership's dedication to preserving Ka'u's coast. As all of you know, Ka'u Preservation
has consistently, for yeazs, requested and begged for your help and leadership. Positive lip service is
good, positive action through leadership is better.
Now these ecological and historical troublemakers want to sell this special land that was questionably
"purchased" from Hawaiians by C. Brewer and later by SM Investments. Before Iwamoto/Kanashiro
can sell at a unconscionable profit, (purchase price was less than $3,000,000.), they must first obtain a
Special Management Area permit from Hawaii County, after an E.LS. approval, and presumptively a
contested case heazing. In order to reach their goal of unconsciounable profits, they must first convince
you, the politicians and at least gain the appearance of some community support. The plan to
accomplish their goals was ordinary, but tried and true. First, retain a group of so-called developers,
(Sea Mountain Five, LLC.), and hire a public relations planning firm, (Group 70), find a few local
people who are willing to work with them and be paid agents, as their local fronts, (O Ka'u Kako), and
put on a public relations blitz of unenforceable promises, telling everyone how many jobs it will bring to
the area, and how much money will be given to the community. Next, make campaign contributions
through agents or directly, or other considerations or promises, to various politicians and local agents.
The next sinister level of their plan is in effect now. 2
Comm. No. ? . ~ S
Ref. To: t31R.v1.Gi _
Ref. Date JUL 10 2001
7/10/2007
Page 2 of 2
First, discredit any organiztion, (Ka'u Preservation), or persons, (any person or leader of Ka'u
Preservation or other group or politician that supports saving Ka'u coast or Punalu'u.) Call them names, '
call them bullies, call them everything but concerned citizens and leaders. Question Ka'u Preservation's
volunteer status and claim it must get money froim an unknown source and is therefore just like the
development group. You know Mr. Herkes, just like you were quoted as saying in the newspaper today
in Hilo. Smear the volunteers.
Second, if the community does not want the development by a lazge margin, then keep holding public
meetings until people just give up. Have the politicians under you influence or control make sure that
no vote disapproving the development, or having an alternative plan be voted on.
Claim that the community is in turmoil and it would harm the community if a vote was taken by the
approving body. Hold that vote states the developer's cause.
If any of you think that Ka'u's residents don't get along you aze mistaken. We get along probably better
than most places. Sure, the so-called package developer, (Sea Mountain Five, LLC) has paid for some
bad will in the community. We still have a strong sense of love and aloha in our close knit community
of Ka'u.
Please, save the last and greatest coast in this State. Take the first step and vote or support the people's
will, (Hawaii County Resolution 169-07, that has been expressed hearing after hearing, after hearing.
Save Ka'u for the children and people of the future. Ka'u represents the only affordable housing in this
State. Let this proposed aristocratic development happen in the last place of living Hawaii, and you will
alter permanently, the entire social fabric of Ka'u, the Island of Hawaii and the State, itself. Be the
great leaders you can be.
Declare yourselves independent, just like you were quoted as saying Mr. Herkes, "put your cards on the
table."
Ron Self, Esq.
Senior Attorney, Ka'u Preservation
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7/10/2007