HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0732.015 2012-2014 Pa eIof2
COUNTY CLERK
Murashige, Laura COUNTY OF HAWA11
From: Gail Byrne[gailbyrnebaber @gmail.com] 1014 MAR 31 AM &:,3$
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2014 8:05 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us; cohmayor @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Support for Resolution No. 332-14 to Purchase TMK 3-5-5-15-42, grassy acre by Banyan Trees in
Hawi
Aloha,
I urge you to pass Resolution 332-14 to purchase the area by the Banyan Trees in downtown
Hawi.
This open space purchase is a much different purchase than the other purchases in Kohala at
Kaiholena and Pao'o. Those are more wilderness like properties with the highest
concentration of intact precontact archeological and cultural sites in the State. And huge
Mahalo to Mayor Kenoi and Mr. Van Bergen for securing these significant properties.
The subject of this purchase resolution, the acre next to the Banyan Trees in Hawi, has been
used for more than fifty years by the community as a park, hosting the Kohala Fair and
numerous classes.
A number of local businesses, including Surety Kohala, have sent letters in support of saving
this area; the Kohala Seniors voted overwhelmingly on Monday to preserve this area, and last
year the North Kohala Community Resource Center sent a letter of support to the Open Space
Commission urging its preservation by the County.
500+ people have signed a petition that Senior Craig Williams circulated the last two weeks.
The Hawi Farmers Market spills over onto this acre every week and needs a permanent home
and room to expand. Purchasing this land will support Kohala's goals for food self sufficiency.
The only opposition I've heard to this purchase is from an individual who said they wanted
"jobs not a park". Fortunately, by preserving this area, we'll get both. A park will provide
weekly income for multiple families with the expansion of the farmers market and with festivals
and concerts, similar to what has happened on this parcel in the past.
Research from across the country documents that parks are also a magnet for nearby
businesses. Certainly, in the long-run, the park will provide way more income for more local
families.
There is no public or park space in Hawi. As Hawi grows, we need to plan ahead for our
Comm. o `73Z•
Ref. T -E
3/31/2014 Ref. Date APR 0 2014
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grandchildren's children.
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Thank you for your consideration.
Gail Byrne Baber, MSCE
(808) 938-8880
Gail Byrne Baber
(808) 938-8880
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3/31/2014