HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0130.002 1996-1998 4 1711716/696:05 PM ~t12
FAX TO: FULL COUNCIL
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FROM: Janice Palma; tel#325-.1416
January 29, 1997 PLEASE ENTER INTO THE RECORD
This !s a copy of a letter sent to West Hawaii Today - C~~ /'=(•l
RE: WHITE HAT AND NOHONA PARTNERS KAhAOA SUBD ISIONS:
'97 FEB 'i PFl `i 2`t
Hawaii County is undergoing sweeping changes that m~t~lde~t~r~onsider
alarming. Democratic processes are being lost daily. Did yoG~tA~t~t~land
representatives have asked the state legislature to waive all rules over our county which
relate to development. health and safety; and that Hawaii's mayor would like the State
Land Use Commission to be totally abolished? In the name of "home rule," essential checks
and balances -the hallmark of democratic government -would be stripped from laws that
protect our island and people. Our mayor is using high-powered legal consultants (at
taxpayers' expense) to overhaul basic protections which our government provides.
Proper planning is what makes a community prosper or struggle. It goes hand in
hand with crime levels (are free, healthy recreational activities available close-by so kids are
healthfully occupied?), time we spend with our families (do you have to drive an hour each
way to work since Ito small businesses exist closer to home?), health (is a smokestack or
landfill located up-wind from your house?), safety (are sidewalks provided on streets wZth
acceptable grade) and many other day-to-day components of our lives. Each good decision
in planning prevents a multitude of future problems for us and our children.
Hawaii County is in a critical planning mode with fires breaking out everywhere. In
December, the Contested Case procedure -one in which concerned citizens are given a
chance to question decisions made by appointed officials -was gutted. Like most people,
you probably didn't even know such a procedure existed, no less that it was available to
you; Though imperfect, it has been used effectively -like in the Mauna Lani Marina debate
- in promoting citizen involvement in planning. One would imagine that this procedure
would be made more accessible and understandable, but that is not the case. The proced re ~
has been made more useless and costly -giving our county representatives unbalanced O z
power over planning. "Red tape," decried by county °plannersr" is after_-a bonus ±o the
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community in making sure its needs are met. 1r1
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Subdivisions are called "affordable" to skirt public input in the planning Z ~
process. Jon Gomes (proposed Keonelehua Heights) and Bill Boyles (University o
Heights) are using plaruing loopholes in Kalaoa to immunize themselves against o a`_
providing standard amenities to their potential buyers. Safely graded streets, e z ~ ct
sidewalks, parks, adequate runoff control, community benefit assessments (i.e., ~ ~ ~ ~
donations to schools for impact of increased populations in the area), and other
safety and quality of life legalities are being nixed for bigger profits. Planning rules,
though pooh-poohed by Yamashiro's appointed planning director, Virginia Goldstein,
are meant to protect residents from dangerous, shoddy, crime-ridden neighborhoods.
The developers can hit and run through what Goldstein euphemistically calls "fast-
tracking." Shockingly, Goldstein also says she can't understand why all subdivisions
aren't done this way (denying citizens their say in how their communities develop
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and producing neighborh~ time bombs). The input in tl. ~ Kalaoa plans was so
insufficient that representu _ves were given less than twei,_y-four hours to study
changes proposed. Everyone on the committee, except Curtis Tyler, voted for the
changes without time to absorb them: On Feb. 5th at 9:00 am in Hilo, the fate of
these proposed subdivisions and their surrounding neighborhoods will be determined
(without a heazing held in Kona). Write to the County Council at 25 Aupuni St., Hilo,
Hi. 98720 or fax to 989-3291 and demand that the normal procedures be used to
guide these developments and that previously agreed upon safety and health
restrictions be required.
On Friday, Feb. 6th at the Kona Surf Hotel, a hearing will be held on another crucial
matter. It relates to protection of special areas -like pristine coastlines -that, on Hawaii
Island, are allowed extra consideration before they are developed. This designation has been
critical in protecting what is unique about Hawaii Island and helps make it a healthy place
to live (i.e., Kohanaiki, or "Pine Trees," where Nansay had hoped to build amega-resort
within the special area). The mayor and planning director would like to severely limit these
areas which now, in some places, are larger than the minuuum required by law but
appropriate to our island's special needs. They protect shorelhie from being encroached
upon by the likes of industrial areas and urban development; and give an extra look at
historical, cultural, and recreational sites which our residents depend upon for their
quality of life.
Oceanside 1250 was given the "go" by the County Planning Commission to build a
contoversial golf "lodge" on non-resort land in Kealakekua. The company side-stepped a law
which requires any development on 15 acres or larger to first be reviewed by the State Land
Use Commission. The county allowed them to duck this requirement which would have
allowed more public input. four comments on this breach of process should be sent to your
county council representative ASAP.
On a state level, representatives Jerry Chang and Robert Herkes have dust asked the
legislature to consider waiving all state rules over Hawaii county's planning procedures!
Impossible to imagine, this would deal a significant blow to land and cultural protection. It
is a blatant removal of democratic checks and balances. This proposal (HB 540) is up for
immediate review by state committees. Your call to the Judiciary Committee at 1-800-468-
4644 ext. 66490 and the House Finance Committee at ext. 66200 letting them know that
this is unacceptable is urgent.
Now is the time for you to make a difference in your community and family's future.
Any action you take - writing a letter, making a phone call, or attending ahearing -will
help our representatives realize that our residents will not be treated like second class
citizens. Democracy cannot be traded for "fast-tracking," our children's futures sacrificed
for profits: and we will not be deprived due process of law. As the saying goes, "All it takes
for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing."