HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1168.007 2006-2008
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Date : May 19, 2008
To : Councilman Jay Yoshimoto
From : Alan Yamaguchi ~fl~ 1 9 37
WRITTEN TESTIMONY `
C4.
Communication 1168.3 Regarding Proposed Amendment to Bill 285 F;G ~ j the
Issuance of General Obligation Bonds for Various Improvement Projects.
Dear Councilman Yoshimura,
In 1972 we purchased a lot in the Machado Acres Subdivision and built our home in 1976. This
has been our primary residence for the past 32 years. When we originally purchased our
property, we were informed that developers of new subdivisions such as ours were required by
Hawaii County to provide an 'Open Space' within the subdivision to develop a park for the
property owners. The association, however, did not have the means or the ability to develop and
maintain such an area and recently transferred ownership of this area to the County of Hawaii
along with a small balance from the Machado Acres Association's treasury for the purpose of
developing this park. And I would like to request your support and that of your fellow Council
Members to provide the necessary funds to develop and maintain a 'Passive Park' for the
residences in the Machado Acres Subdivision and surrounding community.
I hope that the County of Hawaii can develop this park for the safety and health of the community
around our subdivision. Often I see people walking/jogging on the roadside of Haihai Street,
Ainaola Drive and Komohana Street for their daily exercise and get concerned that a serious
accident could happen. The development of a park where people can exercise daily on
established paths within the park without the serious risk of accidents is needed for the health
and well being of the community in our area. My request for an open area that people can use at
their pleasure to relax or exercise comes from the tragic loss of my sister in-law in a pedestrian
accident when she went for her morning walk in Honolulu. The traffic around our subdivision has
increased substantially since it was developed and I hope that this park can mitigate the threat of
pedestrian accidents by encouraging residences to use this area for their well being.
Currently, there are two parks along Ainaola Drive that are used for athletic activities and none for
citizens in the area to use for their daily walk/jog. Those who wish to walk safely, including a
retired neighbor who drives to Liliuokalani Park daily, would appreciate driving a shorter distance
and savings on fuel cost to get their exercise. I too have driven to Liliuokalani Park for my walks,
but would prefer to do it closer to home.
I have attended the public meetings where the design and plans for the park were presented and
provided my comments regarding the security for the residences in our subdivision. We want it to
be a safe area for those in Machado Acres and not be used for illegal activities. These comments
and others of similar concerns were addressed at the meetings and included in the design of the
park.
Thank you for your support.
Alan Yamaguchi
321 KaManelo Place
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Comm. N& ~ • 7
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