HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0494.018 2008-2010
21, October 2009
In Consideration of
Development at Palamanui - Final Reading Bill Nos. 136 and 137
Council Agenda
Wednesday, October 21 2:00 pm
333 Kilauea Avenue - 2"d Floor, Council Room
Hilo, Hawaii
The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council
Chairman Yoshimoto and Members of the Hawai'i County Council:
I am Jacqui Hoover, and I have spoken before you on many occasions in my capacity as President
of Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference (HLPC) a member-based organization with a history of
thirty-five years of commitment to sound planning, wise use of our resources, and effective
government process.
also have the privilege and pleasure of serving, and today come before you, in my capacity as
Executive Director for the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board. HIEDB is another member-
based organization and in its twenty-five year history has been committed to providing and
promoting private sector support and expertise for balanced growth in Hawaii County in
partnership with both public and private resources.
After years of a vigorous economy, today we find ourselves trying to ride out a "Perfect Storm" of
converging economic challenges. As we strategize the best means of riding out this storm, we
look for opportunities of safe harborage.
This is the dichotomy confronting the principals of the Palamanui project who are seeking to
strategically ride through this storm, releasing ballast as necessary to keep their ship afloat while
simultaneously maintaining balance and sailing into the wind and current rather than against it.
We know from experience that at the end of this economic storm, there will emerge a brighter day
for Hawai'i County. In the interim however, we must recognize that previously reasonable
conditions in yesterday's market have emerged as burdens too onerous in today's "Perfect
Storm".
Our sustainability, our children, our economic viability and our island's future are tied directly to
education, training, workforce development and opportunity. The near-term Phase I construction
including infrastructure and initial building of Hawaii Community College at Palamanui are critical
components to the aforementioned brighter day and future for our residents respectively and our
County collectively.
1 ask you to support Palamanui and Bills 136 and 137; with its passage, it brings our community
one step closer to ground breaking for the new Hawaii Community College at Palamanui this
year; helping to ensure a brighter day and future for us all after the storm.
Mahalo for allowing this opportunity to share our comments.
Jacqui L. Hoover, Executive Director
Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, Inc.
Hawaii Innovation Center at Hilo
117 Keawe Street, Suite 107
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2811
Phone: (808)935-2180 Fax: (808)935-2187
E-mail: jhoover0hiedb.org
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