HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0125.001 2016-2018 COUNTY CLERK f�
COUNTY OF HAWAII r
RECEIVED '" wM1.4, (25
Times lb. 03 B7
Date 7 /7
March 7, 2017
Hakalau Point Preservation Association
P.O. Box 109
Hakalau, Hawai'l 96720
Honorable Maile Medieros David, Chair, Finance Committee
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
RE: Resolution 87-17 Related to Hakalau Valley
Chair David and Members of the County Finance Committee:
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Resolution 87-17. I am Susan Forbes and
live in Hakalau Plantation Village. Currently, I serve as President of the Hakalau Point
Preservation Association which was formed last May to:
1. Provide support to Hawaii County in its efforts to acquire Hakalau Point to preserve this
historically significant coastal land of natural beauty for public outdoor recreation and
educational purposes.
2. Provide support for the establishment of a park on Hakalau Point to honor and
commemorate the legacy of the sugar plantation workers who labored and lived along the
Hamakua Coast of Hawaii for several decades.
3. Provide funds and other support to the County and its agents to maintain and sustain the
proposed memorial park at Hakalau Point.
4. Provide funds and other support to help maintain the current County Park located below
Hakalau Point at Hakalau Bay.
5. Support efforts to preserve and protect the habitat, scenic views, and natural beauty of
Hakalau Point and its environs for the benefit of the public, and to discourage and oppose
commercial activities and/or private development of Hakalau Point.
Last year at this time, I testified before you in support of a similar resolution focused on
Hakalau Point.As you know,the landowner,the Shropshire Group, LLC, stated its willingness to
sell Hakalau Point to the County only in conjunction with Hakalau Valley. Subsequently,we
submitted a suggestion to PONC that Hakalau Valley be acquired. My testimony in support of
Resolution 87-17 is a continuation of that process, and our good faith effort to honor the
landowner's requirements.
Over the past three years, my husband and I have studied the history of Hakalau including
Hawaiian as well as plantation history.We've included much of this history on the website
www.hakalauhome.com. Hakalau Valley played an important role in Hawaiian history generally
and the Battle of Hakalau in particular.Acquisition by the County enables, at a minimum,the
protection of the Valley and honoring its history. If feasible, based on a thorough survey,we
foram. No. ( ,) ..
Ref. To: 71PC"
Ref. Date MAR n 7 21117
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envision a continuous hiking path from Hakalau Point, down the old trolley trail, to Hakalau Bay
and then to Hakalau Valley.This is literallyfrom the beaches to the mountains, part of our
ahupua'a as shown in the photo below.
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Thank you for this opportunity to testify.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Forbes
Hakalau Plantation Preservation Association