HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0062.005 2008-2010,01-06-2009 22:34
January 7, 2009
RE: La'ipala Makai, Bill 317 and Bill 322
Aloha Chairman Ikeda and members of the Hawaii County Council:
PRGE6
My name is Clarence A. Medeiros, Jr. and I reside at 88-3672 Government Main
Road in tiouth Kona. I am submitting written testimony on my behalf as a recognized
cultural descendant in support of the La'ipala Makai project proposed to be developed in
the ahupua'a of Kapalaalaea in Kailua-Kona.
Although the proposed project will create 65 single family homes that will
somewhat impact the existing traffic situation in Kona, the overall proposal and design
of La'ipala Makai will benefid our community. Furthermore, the owners are working on
securing a second access point to the project, which will be a condition of approval, and
help ease the traffic situation in the area.
La'ipala Makai is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) Neighborhood Design (ND) registered private residential project in Hawaii
County. The LEED design of this project will reduce overall water consumption by
approximately 30% per unit. Our community will certainly benefit and we should
encourage more projects to follow this prototype. What is also impressive is that the
project is providing affordable housing with sustainable designs and environmentally
friendly practices during construction.
The people proposing La'ipala Makai have taken great care to help preserve the
cultural, historical, and natural resources of the area by retaining a Cultural Advisory
Committee of lineal/cultural descendants and cultural practitioners. They have been
responsive to the concerns of us who sit on the advisory committee by implementing
some of our suggestions into their plans.
I am a IineaUcultural descendant to other development projects and none have
been as proactive and sensitive to the impacts of a new development to the land and its
people as the La`ipala Makai group. If we are to have development in Kona then it
should be of the quality of La'ipala Makai which could set an example and precedence
for future housing projects to follow.
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of the La'ipala Makai
project.
Sincerely,
Clarence A. Medeiros, Jr.
Comm. No. ~ 2.5 ~j1 ~~ 3 2'L
Ref. To: a~w-r.:l
Ref. Date :iAN fi i?009