HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0898.008 2014-2016 Poindexter, Valerie '
From: Robert Nishimoto <bobbynishimoto@gmail.corn> �
Sent: Wednesday,June 01, 2016 5:23 PM r.
To: Eoff, Karen
Cc: Poindexter,Valerie
Subject Resolution 535-16, Hakalau Point
Dear Chairperson Eoff;
I am in full support of Resolution 535-16 for the acquisition of these parcels for incorporation into a cultural
park.
I was born and raised in Ninole, where my parents owned and operated a general store in a plantation
community, managed by C. Brewer. After serving in the US Peace Corps, followed by graduate schools on the
US mainland, I returned home to work for the Department of Land &Natural Resources as the Hawaii Island
Aquatic (=Fisheries) Biologist, and later as a senior Program Manager for 33 years. I am also a subsistent
fisherman who grew up harvesting the nearshore resources for family/community.
I support this Resolution to help the locals preserve coastal sites, which are systematically being developed into
clif-side communities. Mile Marker 20 mega-mansion and the development at MM19 is a glaring example of
what we don't want our Hamakua coastline to become. The gated development at MM 16 is a resort
destination,not for locals but for outsiders. These homes are far out of the range for locals to purchase and we
are beginning to witness a steady rise in our property taxes.
Growing up in a plantation community has been invaluable and I look forward to seeing a cultural park,
honoring our plantation past. Most of us along the Hamakua Coast owe our successes to our family and friends
who toiled on the plantation. There is little left of any indication of our host culture along this coast,but the
plantation community still exists, but will soon be lost after our generation is gone. Now is the time to invest in
order to preserve this culture, which many of us hold dear to our hearts.
Hakalau Bay is a valuable recreational resource for surfing and fishing. Hakalau Bay has been the birthing sites
for our native Hawaiian Monk Seal and serves as a foraging site for female Hawksbill Turtle, a threatened
species. After the major landslide at the MM 16 subdivision in January, 2015,the coastal beaches on the north
side are now inaccessible to fishing and the opihi habitat has been completely obliterated. The proposed
subdivision on the south side of Hakalau Bay may result in the same habitat loss because of coastal instability.
The future development of a cultural park at this site will not only honor our past but help to preserve the
pristine costal habitat.
maefrts �. u l0
Ref. TD..:
R . Date JUN 0 2 2I1U0g
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