Laserfiche WebLink
1468 Eudora St. <br /> Denver, Colorado 80220 <br /> July 3, 2007 <br /> Bob Jacobson, Councilmember`~4fi ~Uf 1 ~ ~ t 1 <br /> 25 Aupuini St, Suite 200 <br /> Hilo, Hawaii, 96720 <br /> Deaz Mr. Jacobsen- <br /> I am writing to you in support of Resolufion 169-07 and the purchase of the Panalu'u <br /> coastal area and Ninole. I know that the council has such a wonderful opportunity to do what is <br /> right in the long term for the people and the environment of your most beautiful island. <br /> My husband and I aze from Colorado, and have traveled extensively through islands over <br /> the yeazs. We aze members of the Ka'u Preservation Society. In my previous cazeer, I was a <br /> statistical analyst for our Department of Public Safety. I served on an advisory board that worked <br /> with a number of communities throughout our state. Many of them had the desire for economic <br /> development, and were dealing with the changes brought by bringing tourism and developments <br /> of second homes. There aze so many similarities between these communities and what is <br /> happening in Panalu'u. One thing that I have observed is that the promises that the developers <br /> make aze often not carried out. These promises are based on two things: wanting to present the <br /> best images to get approval for their business ventures; and presenting only the optimistic best- <br /> case scenarios. When their projects aze not as successful as they hoped, they do not have the <br /> resources to carry through on their promises. When we were in Panalu'u last yeaz, we saw the <br /> terrible results of things not working out with the deserted restaurant that was at the end of the <br /> black sand beach in Panalu'u. What was left for the local people was an eyesore that leaks <br /> sewage into the ancient sacred ponds, and contaminates the azea. The promises that developers <br /> make are based their best-case scenarios. There is a chance that this development would not meet <br /> their projections, and what would Punalu'u beach and the surrounding azea be like then? <br /> This is one azea in the islands where many aspects of the original culture and history <br /> have been preserved. There are many sacred azeas with such deep meaning for the Hawaiian <br /> people. And the wildlife that is so endangered has a chance to survive here, with a 2000 foot <br /> protec5ve azea. <br /> In our travels, we have seen other areas that were held sacred by the Hawaiian people that <br /> aze now dominated by hotels and condominiums. The developers made promises that these azeas <br /> would be preserved, and local people would have access. The access was often through these <br /> hotels and condominium azeas. We found that they are certainly not held sacred, as they would <br /> have been by the local people, and aze not very accessible. This is also a danger for the black <br /> sand beach and the other sacred areas in Ka'u, if the developers maintain and "provide access". <br /> With this resolution, this azea will belong to the people of Hawaii for generations to come. <br /> I am sure that you will use your wisdom as leaders to do what is right for the people of <br /> your island, in passing Resolution 169-07. <br /> Since~rely-,/- y,~ <br /> ~U~ ~4/ ~3• /KI/1~o~t~ <br /> Linda R Mazsolek, M.S. <br /> Member, Ka'u Preservation Society 3 ~ ~ ~ I <br /> Comm. Ho. I <br /> <br /> cc: Ka'u Preservation Society Ref. To: <br /> Ref. Date A <br /> <br />