HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0495.003 2008-2010
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September 1, 2009 3:30pm
Sheraton Keauhou
Hawaii County Council- Planning Committee
Donald Ikeda, Chairperson
Palamanui Global Holdings Amendment to various
Conditions of Ordinance No. 06 105
My name is Riley Saito. My family and I have been living in Kona Palisades for over 20
years. I am here to offer testimony in support of the Palamanui's request to restructure
certain zoning conditions imposed three years ago. The world as we know it has changed
over the past three years and Palamanui's request aligns a development plan that will
provide a win-win under the current economic conditions facing developers on the Big
Island.
There are many developers that have simply stopped work and laid off their people.
Palamanui is showing a deeper commitment to our community by moving forward with the
Hawaii Community College-a key anchoring piece of the development.
This contributes to several immediate issues the Kona community faces:
• The demand for higher education facilities in West Hawaii
• With a start construction a quarter of 2009 an economic stimulus for our work force
• Road infrastructure connecting Hawaii Community College to Kaiminani Dr and
Queen Kaahumanu will provide alternate driving access.
• This road will also provide a fire break and fire fight access when there is a range
fire.
Once the Hawaii Community College is in place, the infrastructure, commercial and
residential build out will be facilitated through market driven demand. Many developers
start with a golf course as a community anchor. Palamanui is using a sorely needed Hawaii
Community College.
The final point is that the building design standards are environmentally sound. Being in
the renewable energy industry, it is refreshing and exciting to have a developer put its core
design values in protecting the environment.
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify.
Riley Saito
Senior Manager, Hawaii Projects
SunPower Systems, Corporation CoMeL No.,
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1414 Harbour Way South SUNPOWER P: 1.510.540.0550
Richmond, CA 94804 USA www.sunpowercorp.com F: 1.510.540.0552