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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0349.938 2006-2008 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: LadyPikake@aol.com Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 7:07 PM To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Attention: Pauline -Stephanie Cabreros Attachments: County council testimony.doc; south point forum.rtf Please make notation regarding underlined pieces of the south point forum forms. Mahalo for assisting me Pauline. See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Home age. , c-, r u l Comm. No.34~'R~$ Ref. To:y ~ r..,.. . Ref. llafe cFP 1....----~- yd~~ 9/18/2007 September 17, 2007 To: Hawaii Council Members District 1 -Dominic Yagong District 2 -Donald Ikeda District 3 - J Yoshimoto District 4 -Stacey Higa District 5 -Emily Naeole District 6 -Bob Jacobson District 7 -Brenda Ford District 8 -Angel Pilago District 9 -Pete Hoffmann From: Stephanie Cabreros Re: Resolution 169-07 Aloha and Mahalo Council Members for allowing me to address my thought and concerns regarding this resolution. These aze my concerns regarding this resolution. Mr. Jacobson pursued ordinance no. 05-166 dated September 6, 2006 which led to comm.. 1064 (Res. 452-06) which you the council recommended adoption concerning 10.195 acres known as Punalu'u Beach Park on September 19, 2006 except for Mr. Ikeda. After it was elevated from number 5 dated Apri15, 2006 to the Mayor and then elevated to number 2 by the Mayor on May 8, 2006 in comm. No. 909. Recommended Adoption of Res. 452-06 Ayes: Committee Members Higa, Hoffman, Holschuh, Jacobson, Pilago Safarik, and Chair Isbell Noes: Committee Member Ikeda Absent: Committee Member Arakaki This information came from the Agenda dated on September 19, 2006 and from minutes I gathered from Open Space. Its all fine and well thus far. Here is where my confusion: With all that has been said, done, and documented, concerning the 10.195 acres known as Punalu'u Beach Pazk, what happened and where is the information that explains changing 10.195 acres known as Punalu'u Beach Park to 150 acres? I searched and searched only to find..........as public access information from Open Space and information from exposed E-mail correspondences that there IS none out there. In fact, Open Space in it self was dumb-founded and questions the Resolution themselves. Minutes from May 14, 2007 page 6 Mr. Yada mentions his concerns was whether the Resolution accurately described some of the assumptions that went in to the Resolution. If some of the statements and assumptions in there were not correct, advising the commission to make comments if they wanted to Mr. Yada mentions that he noted the Commission's recommendations had "various coastal azeas," and Mr. Jacobson's resolution had specific TMK's. Whether the TMK's reflected what the intent of the Commission was when they said "coastal areas" he has no idea The reason for his concern as to insuring that it truly reflected what the Commission intended in their recommendations to the Mayor with regards to Punalu'u. Mr. Yada stated that he would hate to see the Commission's recommendations interpreted in different ways to suit someone else's purpose. He wanted to make sure that the Commission's intents are accurately described in these actions On June 12, 2007 on page 4 Ms. Self states "it goes way beyond what this Commission recommended. Also, Ms Springer says the same thing adding - it really took on a life of its own. Mr. Yada mentions his concerns on the "Whereas...."is a stating fact. It gave the impression that this represented the Commission's recommendations. He also mentions how the facts stated, it eluded that was the recommendation of the Commission's intent. He encouraged the Commission to say something. Another point that bothered Mr. Yada was the Mayor's recommendation to the Council centered on the County Park and the resolution goes farther than that. How it becomes questionable when it starts stretching beyond the intent of the Commission and the Mayor. On August 14, 2006 page 6 Mr. Yuen asked the commission what the goal was, to buy land to move development back from the beach or to make sure the County has a long term use of the beach park that exist. Mr. Replogle stated it was to move development back a certain distance so that the beach and the whole area would be protected and never over run. Mr. Replogle stated the concem is to protect Punalu'u and not allow it to fall into the developers hands. _On that very page it mentions a report that Ka'u Preservation did, in the month of April they counted how much people went to the beach and it mentions 32,000 people. There are NO credentials proving this to be accurate or true. And yet on March 6, 2007 it is the same Punalu'u Survey Report that Danny Miller by request via Mr. Jacobson sent via e- mail to Ann Stewart (our friend and Mazie Hirono's leg director so they can get monies to buy Punalu'u A S A P!!!!!!!! It really troubles me to see tactics used for gain by NOTICALBE people like these, all the while accusing the other side of wrong doing, when in fact the other side is only trying to figure out what the heck happened that they missed something that big. Upon closing, I pray that you would take these things into consideration adding that, through all that has been done, there was only ONE group that was none participating, all the while with the help of yours truly THEIR county district representative. Oneother thing that troubles my mind,if I may. Mr. Pilago mentioned at session in Hilo about the moku and the ahupua'a. Help each other go forward in achieving this goal. Hearing this I wonderered why Mr. Pilago, you, who so expressed how you were reiterating something said that never should have been said was so eager to pass this resolution knowing that it consists of 5 ahupua'as which means that there is 5 moku s out there. Again thank you and mahalo for your time. Kill this bill boutn .Point forum: public support for J'mlalu'u Page 1 of 50 Print Page Close Window Public Support for Punatu'u Printed From: South Point Forum Name: Information and Comments Forum Discription: Chatter, Issues and News URL: http://www.southpointhawaii.com/forum!/forum_posts.asp?TID=207 Printed Date: 05 July 2007 at 5:OOpm Topic: Public Support for Punafu'u Posted By: Fishboy Subject: Public Support for Punalu'u Date Posted: 02 June 2007 at 5:50pm I've copied this message by Rob Tucker; who is the Administrator of the PunaWeb forum. Wish I could be in Naalehu for this meeting, and I hope anyone on this forum will attend the meeting on Monday. Mahalo for all of us who live off-island. Please send your Written support to the county council and/or attend the Public Hearing at Naaiehu School Gym (Monday, June 4th at 5:30 pm} for: Resolution 169-07 The "Keolalani Hanoa Resolution" Please get active on this. A very, very important Big Island asset needs to be preserved for the benefit of everyone. By protecting Punalu" u we can: "'Create educational, cultural and resource management jobs with good salaries `Guarantee public access to Punalu* u's black sand beach forever "Malama our fishing grounds and important Honu habitat Go ta: httpafwww.savepunaluu.argl" target=_New>www.savepunaluu.org Submit council testimony on Res 169-Q7 at: CQunciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi us Email council members directly at: J. Yosimoto <jyoshimota@co.hawaii.hi.us} Emily Naeole <enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us> Dominic Yagong Kdyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us> Dan Ikeda ~dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us> Stacy Higa <shiga@co.Hawaii,hi.us> Bob Jacobson ~jjaco@co,hawaii.hi.us> Brenda Ford <bford@co.hawaii,hi,us> Angel Pilago <kapHaga@co.hawaii. hi. us> http://www.southpointhawaM.com/fonun/printer friendly~osts.asp?FID=21 &13I~207 7/5/2007 ooum roini rorum: moiic ouppon 1.01 runaiu u rage ^ or goes on and on; How about the 20,000$ Jacobson donated to Kau Pres. 10 for the Music Fes. 10 for the Honoa school, give me a break! How bout our V.Fireman, my dh has been sick since the last fire, bloody nooses,every day, we were promised safety gear, our where is it! You think this bill dosen't affect you, check it out. It could and will destroy this area. And you signed the bill on Kau pres. web site, before you do so, you need to spend some major time in this area. Liz make it happen Posted By: Jim S Date Posted: 05 June 2007 at 3:08pm Good Morning Liz,Erik,Meg,Rich,Brian and Mary I'm one of your neighbors and have been following the comments during the last few days. Upfront I want to tell you that I am a member of Kam u Preservaton. I have worked hard and long to protect Punalu' u and the coast of Ka' u. I believe it is a natural treasure and makes our homes here even more va{uable. Peop{e come from all over the world to Punalu u and they do so after driving from Kona or Hilo where the natural beauty of the Island is obscured by gridlock.Today, I just wanted to respond to multiple pieces of false and misleading information: I want you to know that I am a very principaled individual and if any of what you have said was true I'd be the first to leave the organization and expose the non truths.Having said that allow me to respond to things you have been told; I first want to address the issue of the golf course. In the plan the golf course stays and it along with the tennis courts are to be upgraded. The issue of the amount of land baffles me; it is 150 acres, it has always been 150 acres. Who ever is peddling the 310 acres is deliberately misleading people. The property would be from the historic high water mark acrossed the property's ocean frontage and inland 2000 feet. That is all the property that is involved.AS for access to the property....you can not seriously believe that we would put ourselves through all of this and then make it Non-accessible. It is and will be the peoples park. It will have even more access since the current park is owned by the property owners and the county leases it and that includes the boat launch. 50, if this proposal is accepted even the boat launch will be in the public domain. !assure you there will be NO gates. I would be the first to be there protesting if that ever happened.As for a "hidden agenda" I don't know how to refute that point. Sometimes perception become reality .There were mistakes made in the original proposal,TMK numbers were confused. NO personal property was ever considered for purchase. Everyone who owns property there on the beach would still own it after the purchase of the park. It is also true that Ka' u Preservation was charge with the task of putting together a COMMUNITY BASED committee that would be responsible for the clean up of the mess the current owners have created by their neglect.) can not understand why the current residents of the condos at Punalu' u have not risen up and gone after the current owners. I think it borders on criminal what they have NOT done to the area.Ka' u preservation is not a bunch or horrible people....we too are sincere and committed to a cause that we believe is a sacred responsibility .There are multiple places in scripture where the bible talks of this responsibility.lnthe very first book of the bible Yahewh says we are to ....subdue the earth !This word is always read wrong. A study of the ancient languages of Hebrew and Aramaic clearly translates this word as TAKE CARE OF OR PROTECT. This is the exact translation of the Hawaiian word MALAMA.We believe we are doing that and in the process we are protecting all the endangered species and the future of our pristine coastline. The plan of the living classroom would function in away that everyone would benefit. Jobs would be created and we have already identified 149 of them with salaries from $ 28,000.00 thru $ 50.OOO.OO.We WANT some development and see it more likely on the mauka side of the highway.This obviously would have to include some form of housing for the many quests and students who would be coming to Punalu'u.We believe It would become a significant economic http a/wwwsouthpointhawaii. comlfbrun~/printer_firiendly~osts.asp?HII)=21 &"T'IT~207 7!5/2007 »oinn roim rorum: niouc auppon ror runaiu a rage o of :>u Posted By: Danny Miller Date Posted: 05 June 2007 at 4:08pm Kau Preservation is a community based organization and we welcome input and involvement from everyone. WE DO NOT WISH TO CONTROL PUNALUU. We were named in the resolution because a 501 c3 organization needed to be listed to start the process. Like our support for saving Honu'apo, we supported this purchase and then supported the formation of a NEW organization to take over the management so that we could focus on the entire Ka' u Coast so it is protected. There are many misleading facts being spread about the resolution (169-07) that would protect the shoreline and adjacent lands at Punafuu for the public. Here are some facts: 1. SEA MOUNTAIN PROPERTY ONLY The purchase only includes land owned by Sea Mountain Investments that may be sold to developers. It does not include property owned by any residents or other land owners at Punalu' u. 2. PROTECTS PUBLIC ACCESS The public park, boat ramp, tennis courts and golf course would remain open to the public and the park would be expanded. Once purchased by the County, improvements could be made to ail facilities, including upgrading and adding new pavilions. restrooms and recreation areas for the public. If these areas are turned into a private resort in the future, access could be limited and over crowding would be an issue. 3. PROTECTS PONDS AND SPRINGS ALONG THE SHORE The Resolution only calls for the purchase of the shoreline and 2,000 feet inland in order to protect the most fragile habitat and important sacred sites. This area includes one of the largest network of springs and ponds in the state that serve as a critical estuary for all life along the Ka' u Coast. This area provides nourishment for all the fishing grounds at Punalu" u and Ninole - an important food source for our community. The 2,000 foot setback is designed to protect this area from runoff and pollution from future development at Punalu u. 4. ALLOWS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AT PUNALU' U The Resolution DOES NOT limit development outside the area that is being purchased. Future sustainable development and iob creation that honors and protects the cultural and natural resources at Punalu' u can still be pursued and would be encouraged. By protecting the natural and cultural resources of Ka' u we can create good paying jobs in resource and cultural management, hospitality and education. 5. LOCAL MANAGEMENT The local community and ALL residents of Ka' u would be the Managers of the proposed park, working in partnership with the county. While the £esolution acknowledges that Ka' u Preservation is working on a management plan. this plan would have to be approved by the community and all residents and a Community based organization would be formed to implement this management plan and guide the future of Punalu' u. This organization would represent the entire Ka' u community. http:Nwww.southpointhawaii.com/fonim/printer_Mendlyjosts.asp?FID=21&TID=207 7/5/2007 South Point Jb'orum: Public Support for Funaiu u Fage 8 0l 50 Posted By: Aaron S Date Posted: 05 June 2007 at 6:36pm My concern about this whole thing is jobs,jobsjobs. Currently people living in Ka'u have to drive hours and end to jobs in Kona, Kohala and Nilo. I'm not thrilled about having Punalu'u developed. But I don't think its fair or feasible long term (due to gas prices) for people to be working and living so far apart. So some middle ground has to be found. Posted By: surferdude Date Posted: 06 June 2007 at 12:36pm Thanks for clearing up any misinformation I have learned of. I am also concerned about the job situation. Aloha make it happen Posted By: Danny Miller Date Posted: 06 June 2007 at 2:52pm JOBS: Prosperity through Preservation: Better Jobs for Ka'u By preserving Punalu'u as a living classroom and developing educational programs and a outdoor campus, visitors center and expanding recreational uses of Punalu" u we will create better jobs and a better future for Ka` u and do it much faster than the 20 year build out that the Sea Mountain Development requires. Plus, these jobs are best filled by people of Ka' u because they know Ka' u and Puna{u' u better than anyone -guaranteeing them priority placement in these LOCAL CAREERS, close to home: Local Job Descriptions provided by the CULTURAL PRESERVE: OUTDOOR CAMPUS /HAWAIIAN AQUACULTURE CENTER Educational Careers -Instructors and Teachers (10) Naturafrsts (4} Cultural Experts (4) Guides {4) Facilitators (4) Researchers (2) Librarians (2) Media Specialists (2) Advisors (2) Campus Management (4) hitp a/w~wwsauthpointhawaii.win/forum/printer_fi•iendly~osts.asp?I`ID-21 &TII~207 7/5/2007 2>omn roini r Drum: r uDt to isuppon to'r' nu~am a rage y O1 Accountants (1) Housing Coordinators (2~ Food Services (4) Landscaping (5) Housekeeping (5) Marketing (1}Web Design Team (2) TOTAL: 4$ VISITORS CENTER /OUTDOOR MARKETPLACE Park Rangers (4} Dispatchers (2) Exhibit Designers (2) Hosts (2) Naturalists (2) Botanists (1) Cultural Experts (2) Guides (4} Facilitators (4) Researchers (2) Librarians (2) Cafe Management (2) Banquet Management (1) Food and Beverage Manager (2) Landscaping (10) Catering Management (1) Gift Shop Management (2} Accountants (1) Bookkeepers (1) Marketing (1) Public Relations (1) Wedding Facilitators (2) Local Artisans and Products: (50) The Outdoor Market will allow for local crafts people to market their goods and produce, thus creating support jobs to create and market these locally made products. TOTAL 101 GRAND TOTAL: 149 GOOD SALARIES As an example for salaries, here is a short list for some of the specific jobs that would be offered. The salary listed is based on what the National Park Service Pays. CULTURAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST $35,116.00 to 42,955.00 PARK GUIDE $28,936.00 to 37,619.00 CONCESSIONS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST $39,011.00 to 50,711.00 PARK RANGER (PROTECTION) $28,349.00 to 35,116.00 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN $32,421.00 MUSEUM TECHNICIAN -EXHIBITS $38,378.00 to 49,888.00 PARK RANGER (INTERPRETATION) $35,116.00 to 45,645.00 INTERPRETIVE ACTIVITIES ASSISTANT ($28,349.00 to 36,856.00 VISITOR USE ASSISTANT $28,349.00 to 36,856.00 hUp:!!www.southpointhawaii.com/forlun/printer_frienr9ly~osfs.asp?FIB-21 FcT1D-207 7/5/2007 ou~~ui nn~ii ruiiua, ruaiiu oappun 101 rniimu a rage t 1 Ul JU Babette Colorado/Discovery Harbour Posted By: Danny Miller Date Posted: 07 June 2007 at 10:59pm The jobs that we feel can be created by protecting our natural resources in Ka'u can be funded by several sources. But first, it is important to note that not all of the jobs will start on day one and the facilities for these jobs will not be built within the 150 acre new Punaluu Park being considered by the county for purchase. The 150 acres will be zoned as conservation, so the infrastructure for these new jobs will be built outside the park and throughout Ka` u. First. imagine a Cultural and Visitors Center with an open-air marketplace built near the Hwy above Punaluu, that would be designed as open air "pavilions that blend into the natural environment and built using pre- contact Hawaiian Style archetecture and design. This would serve as place to educate visitors about the natural history or Punalu' u and Yes, funding would have to be raised to create this center, but once it is up and running it would pay for itself through entry fees to the Visitors Center and the proceeds from products sold there to visitors. Today over 300,000 people come to Punalu" u. So If this many people came to the visitors center and paid an entrance fee of $5.00 and say spent $20 ea. on food and gift items, this would gernerate $7.5 MILLION dollars. Then imagine a second visitors and cultural like this near Sout Point generating more jobs and income. Second, imagine if we started several tour companies in Ka" u to take visitors to areas and teach them exciting things about the culture and environment. This alone would generate jobs for our youth as educators and guides. Then imagine the new restraunts. gift shops and small hotels that would pop to serve these visitors and the visitors to the park. Third, we believe the Tour Bus Companies and all Commercial Tour Companies should pay a fee to go towards maintaining the park, since they are charging each passenger a fee and then using the park's facilities. (This is normal paractice). According to our survey, over 100,000 of the annual visitors to Punaluu came via Bus and Vans. If we asked the tour companies to Pay a impact fee of $5 per person that would raise an additional $500,000 per year. This could help pay the salary of the new park employees. Finally, and we think this wiN generate more jobs and more funding than anyother part is the education programs that could be set up throughout Ka' u. For instance, this summer, Earth Watch is putting about $50,000 into the community through a 6 week summer orogram in Pahala on Plantation archeology. And this is helping to create iobs for housekeeping, guides aTuTeducators. So Imagine doing 20-visitor http;//www.southpointhawaii.com/torum/printer Mendlyjosts.asp?FID-=21~TID=207 7/5/2007 soutn romi forum: mono support for tunaiu a fage 12 0l programs a year liek this thoughout Ka' u that cater to the traveler who wants to learn about the place they are traveling to... a very big and fast growing travel niche. This could generate another MILLION dollars for our economy. Add to this ongoing educational programs with Universities throughout the world that rely on hands on programs for students and researchers that need places to conduct research. Student tuition fees would go towards hiring local educators and facilitators for these programs. Say you had 10 Universities doing 1 program each with 20 students in Ka' u. And each student was paying $2 500 for the course fees and accomodations. This would generate another $500,000.00 So I have come up with nearly $10,000,000 in revenue to support bussinesses in Ka'u that can be created by PROTECTING our natural resources. I have not even mentioned, federal and state funding and grants from private institutions. The Kaxu Community is capable of building this new "ECO-Ccnomy" of locally run bussinesses that honor the incredible natural beauty and cultural history of Ka" u. The old model of exclusive subdivisions and gated reorts with a fancy hotel for the super rich is outdated and no longer desired by the modern traveler to Hawaii. Today's tourist dollar is seeking out new and educational hands on adventures. And we can deliver this to the world. 1 would love to hear more ideas on other businesses that can be created in Ka` u that support this model. "If you can dream it. You can do it." Posted By: jenniferpang808 Date Posted: 13 June 2007 at 10:29pm t would like to respond to this thread -there is a lot to respond to, so please be patient. » This resolution is dividing the community - bottomline. And anyone who says it isn't, is not looking at the facts. People have very strong feelings on both sides. » The threats that are being made by certain groups toward other groups -veiled or outright -are downright disgusting. » Who are you kidding saying the music festival is not a propaganda tool? I sincerely doubt that and I'm sure my doubts will be confirmed at the festival. • Please don't quote scripture to support what you are saying and doing is right. What about the people who are unable to work in Kau and have to drive hours to Kona or Hilo for jobs? What about the families who lose relatives in car crashes during those drives? What about the kids who see their parents for maybe an hour a day between the time they leave and return? What about the children who leave Kau because they don't want that commute for themselves? Is that "right" according to the bible? • Kau Preservation says that their plan is to bring jobs and people to Punaluu. So how are you http:!lwww.southpointhawaii.com/forumlprinter_friendly_posts.asp?FID=21 &1TD=207 7/5/2007