HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0943.009 2008-2010 ;, ;� ' > , � i L , a i s f -
IN SUPPORT OF AM ENDMENTS T BILL 300
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The photo above from Kona Historical Society, c 1 915 , wa taken from approximately '/2 m away and
shows how tall the trees were almost 100 years ago.
The photo below is present day.
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Comm. No.
Ref. To: _
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Public Testimony for County Council Meeting — October 6, 2010
To: Chairman Yoshimoto and the Hawaii County Council
From: Shelley Hoist, 808 - 937 -1774
Physical address: 81 -1016 Ohe Place, Kealakekua, Hawaii
Mailing address: P.O. Box 147, Captain Cook, HI 96704
Re: Proposed Amendment to Bill 300, TMK: 3/8 -1- 025:011
Good morning - my name is Shelley Hoist. I'm here to speak in favor of the proposed
amendments to Bill 300 on your agenda today, specifically Condition D. I live directly makai of
the subject property. Though I live in Kealakekua, I felt it was imperative to drive over early this
morning to address this council in person. Many of our neighbors could not be here this morning,
and I know you've received letters supporting the amendments from two of them. We very
much want to be in support of such an important, much needed medical facility in our rural
community, but when you build such a large commercial project right next to residential
neighborhoods, certain safeguards should be put in place to protect neighboring properties. The
proposed amendments do just that.
On the makai end of the subject property is a small grove of historic Eucalyptus Trees, able to be
seen from many miles away. These trees, which we believe to be Lemon Eucalyptus, are
approximately 100 feet tall, and according to old time residents of the area and photographs from
the Kona Historical Society, an estimated age of over 100 years old. The top photograph in your
hands this morning shows how tall this stand of trees was in around 1915, taken from
approximately 1 /2 mile away. The photo below that is present day.
These trees have been a landmark in Kealakekua for many decades. Whatever development is
put in place, these trees should be considered worth saving and incorporating into the landscape.
They would serve as an excellent way to preserve a buffer zone, so desperately needed by
neighboring residences.
There is historical interest as well being that for many decades the land was home to Captain
Robert Woods and his wife Alice, who not only planted the trees, but played a small role in the
evolution of seismic instruments in the state. According to Hawaii Volcano Observatory history,
the retired Captain worked with Dr. Thomas Jagger, and their cellar was home to the Kealakekua
station seismograph vault. That seismograph and the Captain's quick efforts, were instrumental
in forecasting the 1933 tsunami, saving many lives with early warning, according to the
documents, it appears to have been the first time that a tsunami was predicted through
interpretation of seismograms.
In summary, too much of the familiar Kona landscape is being discarded in favor of new
developments, these trees need to be saved. They are structural elements of our traditional
landscape which serve to remind and connect us to our history.
Please help us support this wonderful venture by approving the amendments to Bill 300.