HomeMy WebLinkAboutINDIVIDUAL COMMENT EMAIL - 128991Mori, Ashley
From:
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2019 3:51 PM
To:Planning Internet Mail; General Plan
Subject: Comment on 1.3 Charter Amendment ...
Aloha Planning Department,
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 criteria(PONC) to include lands "with
beneficial attributes for climate adpatation and mitigation." I support including this concept.
Let's take care of our Earth in the most conscious and conservationist way possible. Mahalo for your time and
consideration of these urgent matters.
Aloha,
128991