HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.871 2006-2008 _ ~ ~
_ HAWAII DMSION: 100 Wen ImDwk Senn, HNo, Howdi 96740 • OAHU DMSION: 451 A7kinon Ddre, Nawlulu, Hmtii 96X14
MAUI iOUNTY DMSION: N9fi Lower Mon Snen, Waiuku, Howeii 96793 • KAUAI DMSION: 4154 Nerdy SOen, Ohw, Xowoli 96766
LOCAL} 142 July 25, 2007
Members of the Hawaii County Council:
My name is Wallace A. Ishibashi, Jr. I work for the ILWU Local 142 as a Business
Agent representing the workers of the Big Island. My family is from Milolii and I hope to
return there when I retire some day soon. Punalu'u has a special place in my heart, as the
stories told by my grandfather as he would travel home to Milolii, he would always spend
a night at Punalu'u with the Bengay Ohana before continuing the long drive on to Milolii.
It used to take 2 days from Hilo back in the good old days.
The ILWU opposes Resolution No. 169-07 to authorize negotiations for the acquisition
of Punalu'u Beach Pazk, Ninole Pond, and adjacent lands in the district of Ka'u.
Instead of attempting to buy the land, we believe the County should be trying to work
with Sea Mountain developers on a proj ect that will have benefits for all--protection for
the natural environment, controlled growth, public access for fishing, hunting and
gathering, and good jobs for all who want them.
Whether they live in Naalehu or Pahala or Milolii, the workers of ML Macadamia
Orchard, LP consider themselves lucky to have a job right neaz their homes in Ka'u so
that they don't have to drive 50-plus miles each day to go to work. But no one knows
how much longer they will have their jobs because we don't know if or when the
company will shut down, just like Ka'u Sugaz did ten years ago.
Ka'u residents aze concerned about preserving the natural environment and their quiet
rural lifestyle. The residents of Ka'u also want to be able to support themselves and their
families. They need good jobs that offer decent wages, respect and fairness. If they can
get these jobs right in Ka'u, all the better because that will help them maintain a better
quality of life without the long drives away that challenge family responsibilities.
The Sea Mountain project has the potential to give us both good jobs and a good
environment. To do that, the project must be done right. That's where the County
Council comes in. I know some of you have reservations about the project, but instead of
killing it by trying to buy the land, why not try to figure out a way for everyone to win.
You can impose requirements about public access, quality of jobs, improvements to
benefit the community, environmental and Native Hawaiian protections--then you can
enforce those requirements with sanctions if the requirements are not met. If Sea
Mountain does what it promises to do, they should have no problem agreeing to the
requirements.
Ref. T4~raeM~ unC%l
Ref. Date ax 9
"AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL"
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Page 2
Although some people in Ka'u want to keep Ka'u pristine, untouched by progress, we all
need to think about the future--for ourselves and our children and grandchildren. The Sea
Mountain project can be good for everyone if it's done responsibly and the County helps
by holding the project to standards that will protect the natural environment, address the
native Hawaiian concerns, and all the while still boosting our economy.
I am also concerned about the survey petition that the Council conducted. Will this
process be the normal practice from now on? What was the cost to complete this survey?
Was it conducted fairly? Was it ever completed?
With these considerations, the ILWU opposes Resolution No. 169-07.
Mahalo!
Sincerely,
ILWU LOCAL 142, HAWAII DIVISION
Wallace A. Ishibashi Jr.
Business Agent