HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0773.089 2008-2010Murashige, Laura
Mahalo nui loa,
Claudia Ziroli -Coyl,
Mountain View, HI
Honorable Council Members,
8/16/2010
CuMkt. 173.3
From: claudia ziroli [cziroli @yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 8:55 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony in support of resolution 321 -10
Attachments: Council Testimony 2.sxw
Aloha Council Members,
Mahalo for the opportunity to present my support for Resolution 321 -10 before you.
I have attached a copy (see above) and have also included it here in text.
7 (61 ri r 1
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PIcouwn.
Many supporters are here in Chambers today to testify before you on the merits of approving
Resolution 321 -10. Your support and approval for this alteration to current law regarding Fuel
Tax Revenues guidelines will right significant wrongs established during the land boom and
profit- taking of the 1950- 1960's. Resolution 321 -10 (Grant -in -Aid program for private road
maintenance) will correct the irrational and unequal and assignment of fuel tax revenues
around our County.
Hundreds of miles of roads are used daily by police, fire and emergency medical vehicles,
school busses and county elder transportation as well as thousands of personal vehicles — all
of which are paying the fuel tax on every gallon of gas purchased. Everyone who lives and
works in Hawai'i County pays for the fuel taxes utilized to maintain our roads. If all of us are
paying the fuel taxes, then all Hawai'i County roads should be maintained. Given that there is
generally a large carry over amount each year, it is equitable and beneficial to keep all of our
county roads in at least a minimum standard.
Resolution 321 -10 will clarify the current language to allow subdivisions and Community
Associations to apply for surplus highway funds. These funds could be used for grading and
aggregates, paving, striping, signage and lighting. Improvements like these are imperative in
terms of safety for police, fire department vehicles and ambulances, school buses, public
transportation as
well as improved emergency evacuation routes.
Puna, Hawaii's fastest growing residential district is largely comprised of "Substandard
Nonconforming Subdivisions ". Hawai'i County routinely approved speculative, unrestricted
developments created between 1958 and 1962 in Puna, Kau and South Kona. When the
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County of Hawai'i realized the full force of the error made in allowing the development and
sale of properties without infrastructure; (such as roads...) The Hawai'i Planning Commission
attempted to close a gaping loophole in rampant land speculation by enacting a Land Use
Law. In 1962, the day before the law went into effect, no less than 42 new subdivisions with
3,500 Tots were approved by the Hawaii Planning Commission! The Land Use Law was seen
by politicians, business leaders and the public as a serious detriment to the economic growth
and development of the Big Island. There were both political and public business interests
providing substantial support of large- scale, unrestricted development of substandard lots.*
Data excerpted from Land and Power in Hawai'i, George Cooper, Gavin Dawes.
50 years later...
It is time to address the inequities of road conditions in Hawai'i County!
It is time to take responsibility for those short- sighted earlier decisions to
develop rural Hawaii County!
It can be done with little or no impact upon taxpayers by allowing the use of Grant in Aid funds
from Fuel Tax Revenues. Please support Resolution 321 -10.
The beneficial outcome for improvements would be increased safety, higher property values
and real estate desirability, and increased tax values.
Resolution 321 -10 is a win -win!
Allowing Hawai'i County subdivisions to apply for funding to improve roadways will help our
communities to grow stronger by providing significantly safer roads. Resolution 321 -10 will
help to build more desirable communities, creating higher property values and a higher
property tax base.
Respectfully Submitted, Claudia Coyl, Mountain View, Hawai'i
8/16/2010
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