HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0396.004 2014-2016Pi PC
CoMm.N 6
Murashige, Laura
From: gencheryl@hawaiiantel.net
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2015 10:52 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony re Discussion on Draft General Plan: Section on Policies and Goals
Attachments: Testimony re Draft General Plan Section on Policies and Goals.pdf
Importance: High
Hawaii County Council,
Attached is our testimony re discussion on Draft General Plan: Section on Policies.. and Goals.
Thank you.
Cheryl Hirayama, Nathan Hirayama, Royce Hirayama, Charlene Hirayama
U;
o c�
Comm. No.
Ylu, 4
Rif. To: P �L
1 Ref. Date —AUG 04 2015
P. O. Box 1445
Kamuela, HI 96743
August 3, 2015
Email: counci[testimony@hawaiicounty.gov
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Planning
Tuesday, August 4, 2015 @ 9:30 a.m.
Re: Comm. 396: Discussion on a Draft General Plan Section on Policies
and Goals
Committee Chair Greggor Ilagan and Members of the Committee:
My family has owned and operates Y. Hirayama Farm, Inc. in the Lalamilo Farm Lots,
Kamuela, Hawaii, since February 22, 1978 (the family has been farming for three
generations). We hereby submit the following testimony regarding Council Member
Margaret Wille's Discussion on a Draft General Plan Section on Policies and Goal.
Our main concerns are in regards to the following:
Pages 4 and 5 as to;
VI. Subject Area Policies and Goals
B. Economic Development
Zoning Related:
12. Allow wellness retreats and health centers including fitness centers in
agriculturally zoned Land.
On June 12, 2015, Councilwoman Wille held a General Plan Revision Meeting which I
attended. After this meeting Councilwoman Wille produced a list of all suggestions
made and stated "I am now in the. process of integrating the key points made including
this and other public input into a draft revision of the General Plan, policies and goals.`
Upon receiving the Draft that is before the committee for discussion, I was surprised to
see this zone related input No. 12 on the Draft as no reference was made to this during
the meeting. She may have received it later from the public since a contested case
hearing that some Lalamilo farmers are involved in (Amendment to Special Permit No.
378) is for the retention of a fitness center that is located in an agricultural district;
namely, the Lalamilo Farm Lots. This unpermitted fitness center has been operating
illegally for years in the Lalamilo Farm Lots. This unique area has been designated as
Important Agriculture Land under the Hawaii County General Plan (2005 edition, as
amended). A mandate of the .General Plan's Goals and Policies is to protect important
agricultural lands from urban encroachment. The South Kohala Community
Development Plan also calls for the preservation of important agriculture hands.
Zoning idea No. 12 is contrary to the Councilwoman's agriculture discussions under:
D. Agriculture:
7. Prioritize locally owned small to medium sized farms with a diversity of crops
versus industrial agriculture.
Hawaii County Council
Page 2
August 3, 2015
11. Prioritize programs that make locally grown food readily accessible — including
the Food Basket programs and farmers markets
21. Designate all agricultural zoned land with soil classifications of A or 8 as
"Important Ag. Land." Review and consider significant C classified land as
Possible "Important Ag Land."
When the Lalamilo Farm Lots was established in the 1960s, it was located away from
the town center with the express intention of keeping it isolated to avoid potential
encroachment as operational agricultural activities such as noise, dust, chemicals and
other odors are produced on a daily basis. There are no sidewalks or crosswalks and
only one access road within the subdivision. Allowing wellness retreats and health
centers including fitness centers in an agriculturally zoned land such as the Lalamilo
Farm Lots or in other agricultural districts compromises public safety, as well as the
daily farming operations in these areas.
As such, it is respectfully requested that you consider removing Zoning Related
Item. No. 12 from the Draft General Plan.
I was further appalled that Councilwoman Wille failed to include the inputs regarding the
preservation and encroachment of agricultural lands which is a major component
towards Hawaii's agricultural sustainability.
As such, it is respectfully requested that you consider including the proposed
language; "protect important agricultural land from urban encroachment" into the
Draft General Plan.
As full-time farmers, it is extremely difficult to be away from our operation to testify in
person. Thank you for your time and for allowing us the opportunity to submit this in
writing.
Sincerely,
Ch ryl irayama cell: 987-3379) and ohana:
Nathan Hirayama
Boyce Hiray ma
Charlene Hirayama