HomeMy WebLinkAboutINDIVIDUAL COMMENT EMAIL - 128903Mori, Ashley
From:
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2019 3:03 PM
To:General Plan; Planning Internet Mail
Subject: URGENT COMMENT ON COUNTY PLAN
Aloha Esteemed Planning Members :
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Please accept this testimony. j r,;
Mahalo
Ninole
On page 30 of the draft Hawaii County General Plan 2020, the following language exists.
36.1.38 Amend Charter to revise land acquisition and preservation regulations and criteria (PONC)to
include lands impacted by climate change or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation
and mitigation.
This sentence actually contains two separate concepts. One is very good; the other is very bad.
The first concept is the bad one: to "amend Charter to revise land acquisition and preservation
regulations and criteria (PONC) to include lands impacted by climate change..." PONC does not
exist to acquire and preserve lands impacted by climate change,just as it does not exist to preserve
lands impacted by the volcanic eruption. In 2019, there was an incident in which PONC was
considering acquiring a parcel which had been inundated by lava. There was a public outcry, and
finally Mayor Kim pulled out of the transaction.
The purpose of the PONC fund is to purchase properties that can be enjoyed by the public as open
spaces in perpetuity. The purpose is not to purchase properties from people who own coastal real-
estate that will soon be underwater and un-usable.
The second concept in the current General Plan language is very good, in that it serves the purpose
of the PONC fund while also serving the current dire need for meaningful climate action. That is
the proposal to amend the Charter to revise land acquisition and preservation regulations and
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criteria (PONC) to include lands "with beneficial attributes for climate adpatation and
mitigation." I support including this concept.
Mahalo !
Umauma
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