HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.021 2018-2020 Pgainei I
COUNTY cLEnr COMM. 614
COUNTY OF HAVJJMt
From: Honokaa Peoples Theatre
To: Chung,Aaron;David,Maile;Eoff.Karen; Kanealii-Kleinfp riattkkie'akykwic , ,sl .N;2I Loy,Sue;
Poindexter,Valerie;Richards,Tim;Council Testimony; i Boas,Rebecca
Subject: Please vote no on Bill 16,time extension on zoning requirements for Pi'ilani Partners
Date: Monday,March 25,2019 1:44:03 PM
Aloha esteemed County Council members!
Please vote no on Bill 16, a time extension on zoning requirements for Pi'ilani Partners. Hawaii Island
cannot afford to go down this dead end route in search of profit for the few using the limited resources of
the public while offloading costs onto that same public. Times are changing and the public is more aware
and activated to protect our resources, especially the water, and especially in light of clear climate
science which predicts challenges to our Hawaii State water supply in the coming decades, sooner rather
than later. The public has very clearly and repeatedly expressed opposition to Pi'ilani water bottling
plans, choosing instead to support protecting water and natural resources and preventing further plastic
pollution here on island and abroad. However this project seems to be once again rearing up, and the
history of the process is coming to light. I have shown up for meetings and submitted personal testimony,
but right now cannot express more succinctly the public scrutiny which is made with the points given by
Cory Harden, Hilo Sierra Club member.
To repeat those points by Cory:
After nine months of about one meeting a month on this, I've seen and heard dozens of testimonies
against the plant, and zero support—except from people paid by Pi'ilani.
I have many concerns from the February 19 meeting.
"SQUATTERS"
I'm appalled by a comment Mr. Chung made February 19. He said the people living in the area"are all
squatters"and "we're trying to drive them out." But aren't homeless people his constituents too?
Shouldn't he be working to help them?
TIME CRUNCH
Mr. Fuke was concerned about the time crunch before the zoning expires. But the owner could have
started this process earlier.
"IN LIMBO"
Mr. Fuke said if Bill 16 fails,the land would be in limbo, and that the owner couldn't go backwards or
forwards. But couldn't the owner apply for rezoning?
NO SPECIFIC PROJECT
Would a bad precedent be set by approving zoning not tied to a specific project? Mr. Fuke said the uses
of the property cannot be restricted. But the original ordinance did specify a fish processing plant.And
one Council member said a zoning request with no specific project was highly unusual.
PRIVATE INDUSTRIAL LAND
Mr. Fuke and some Council members said State and Department of Hawaiian Homelands own most of
the industrial zoned land in Hilo, so more privately owned industrial zoned land is needed. But have they
provided evidence to back up their statement?
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COMMERCIAL AREA
Ms. Lee Loy and Mr. Chung said entire Manono area is becoming more commercial. But is this in line
with the County General Plan, current zoning, EnVision Downtown Hilo, and the Hilo Bayfront Trails
project?
DISCLOSE OWNER (,,
Comm. No `04'?I
Ref. To: PICumul
Ref. Date MAR 2 7.2019
Shouldn't the owner of the land (Matsuno Enterprises) been disclosed to the public in the agenda? Mr.
Fuke said the most critical entity was the landowner. But the landowner was only disclosed after Ms.
Villegas did quick research during the February 19 meeting.
DISCLOSE CONNECTIONS
Shouldn't Ms. Kierkiewicz have disclosed her connections to Suisan and to Steve Ueda,who is president
of both Suisan and Matsuno Enterprises?
"Barbara Hastings, one of the communication firm's[Hasting and Pleadwell'] partners,
acknowledged her company did provide Suisan with 'messaging points' last September regarding
the company's role, or lack thereof, in the proposed [Pi'ilani Partners] bottling
facility....Kierkiewicz...said she was part of those discussions, which involved crafting a message
to clarify that Suisan is not developing the proposed bottling plant, in response to a media report
to the contrary." "Ethics complaint targets Puna councilwoman,"Hawai'i Tribune-Herald,March 2,
2019
Kierkiewicz and Ueda were co-chairs of the Government Affairs Committee of the Japanese
Chamber of Commerce as of November 2018.
Kierkiewicz, as an employee of Hastings and Pleadwell,wrote a press release in January 2017
about Ueda becoming president of Suisan.
WHO ANSWERS QUESTIONS?
On February 19, it appeared Mr. Fuke was answering some questions that should have been answered
by Planning Department staff.
REQUIREMENTS MET?
Were requirements met under the original ordinance, 92-122?
Were annual progress reports done? (condition M).
Tasks required to be completed within one year can only get a time extension for one more year...within
two years,for two years; etc. (condition N 4)
But it's been two decades.
If requirements aren't met, "the Director shall initiate rezoning of the area to its original or more
appropriate designation." (N 5)
Thank you Council Members for your work in protecting our county resources,we need you now more
than ever to step up for our Island and it's people.
Mahalo nui loa.
Phaethon Keeney
Honokaa
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