HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0550.003 2016-2018 P1FC'
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Murashige, Laura
From: seastrom@hawaiiantel.net
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2017 12:38 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Finance Committee Meeting, Res. 374-17
Attachments: HPP PARK EXTENSION.docx
Please accept my written testimony for this week's Finance Committee Meeting.
Thank you for your time,
John D Seastrom
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Oct.30, 2017
Written Testimony for the Finance Committee, Res. 374-17 :
I am writing in support of Resolution 374- 17,to extend the deadline for completion of the Planning and
Design for the proposed county park on 26th and Kaloli Drive in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision.
Moving the date one year to March, 2018,will not be a big impact on the residents of HPP.The majority
of the park's residents really want the county to build a park for HPP for their families and children to
use and enjoy. I have been a resident and county property tax payer in HPP since 1985.You can't
imagine how long I have been waiting for the county to build a recreational facility in my subdivision.
Over these past 32 years I have seen county parks in Hilo, Keaau, Pahoa, and Mountain View, as well as
many other places too numerous to mention; I have often wondered why there are no county
recreational facilities in my subdivision.Today,we have the opportunity to take that first step and make
it a reality for HPP residents. HPP,with over 12,000 residents, is the most populated subdivision in the
county-not to mention the state of Hawaii. I understand that$300,000 was set aside by the county to
pay for the"designing and planning" of this park. In addition,the HPPOA Board has donated 20 acres of
land to the county for this park. Let's not waste all this well intentioned money and effort just because
we are being asked to add one additional year to meet the deadline. I know Councilwoman O'Hara and
former Councilman.Ilagan have worked tirelessly to get this park done for the residents of HPP. In
addition to their hard work, countless HPP residents on the board and the Park Committee,which I was
a member, spent over a year's time gathering resident's input and developing a three phase plan for the
development of a park in HPP.The proposed park facilities were designed for"all" residents of our
community which included: walking paths, dog parks,covered play courts, restrooms, a pavilion, ball
fields, and many other ideas.
Everyone knows how dangerous and congested our roads in Puna,and the Big Island in general have
become this past five years or more;families in HPP should not have to drive long distances just to have
a safe place for their kids to ride their bikes on a park path or walk their dogs in a place safe from
speeding cars.
In closing, I want to urge the county to extend the deadline one year and continue this park project to its
natural conclusion-a much anticipated and much needed county recreational facility in HPP.
Sincerely,
John D Seastrom
HPPOA Park Committee Member