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Murashige, Laura
From: Charlie Maas [cmaas @champhospitality.com]
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 7:18 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony for funds for Pahoa master pain
Attachments: master plan for Pahoa.docx
The attached is my testimony for support of CIP funds for the master planning of Pahoa
Charles J. Maas
13-3625 Alapai St
Hawaii 96778
303-947-0010
www.champhospitality.com
•
Comm. No.
Ref. To: �Pl FC-
Ref. Date APR 1 1 2013
4/9/2013
This is the written testimony of Charles J. Maas of 13-3625 Alapai St. Pahoa, 96778 in
support of funds in the Mayor's amended CIP budget for the hiring of a company to
assist in the master planning of Pahoa Village.
In 2008, the county accepted the Puna CDP and within this plan designated Pahoa as
one of its regional town center. The plan estimated that over time Pahoa will need to
support up to 50,000 people. The PCDP recognized there will be many issues that Puna
and its regional town centers will face as the area grows and it identified three main
themes that needed to be addressed; they were Mama I Ka Aina, Growth
Management and Transportation.
The PCDP laid the ground work for the formation of committees to take on the task of
addressing these various theme issues.
Pahoa in 2012 formed working committees and has been engaged in a process to
develop a strategic growth plan that addresses these themes as well as other issues
brought forward by the people of Pahoa. It has become very evident all these issues are
interrelated and need to be considered in total and not on a piece meal basis. Some of
the major areas are;
Future Land Use
Proposed Transportation and Circulation
Water, Sewer, Drainage
Parks and Open Space
Community Services
Community Character
Environmental Quality
Economic development
Vehicle Circulation
Parking
Pedestrian circulation
Pedestrian plaza areas and town-scale open space
Key infrastructure improvements
It is important that these issues be address in a way that will have a positive effect on
the lives of people that live and work in Pahoa and the surrounding areas as well for
those who visit our community. This requires a thoughtful and thorough planning
process that demands expertise beyond the level of good hearted volunteer committee
members. Development will move forward regardless of action taken, but it is a great
disservice to the community for the county not to lend a helping hand in solving these
issues. Planning today will create a sensible and sustainable development plan that is
fiscally responsible and one that the county can use as a planning tool for the future.
I urge the committee and the council to support the allocation of these funds.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles J Maas