HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-07 Windward Exh A (Item 1 Holcomb PL-SMA-2021-007) WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
TESTIMONY TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 7, 2022
A regularly advertised hearing on the HOLCOMB FAMILY TRUST (PL-SMA-2021-000007)
was called to order at 9:07 a.m. via live stream online meeting, with Chairman Dean Au
presiding.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Dean Au, Gilbert Aguinaldo, Lauren Balog, Wayne De Luz,
Michelle Galimba, and Dennis Lin
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Maija Kekai, Esq. (Counsel for the Commission),
Jean Campbell, Esq. (Counsel for the Planning Department), Zendo Kern (Planning Director),
Maija Jackson (Planning Program Manager), Alex Roy (Planner), and Noriko Sauer (Secretary to
Boards and Commissions)
APPLICANT: HOLCOMB FAMILY TRUST (PL-SMA-2021-000007)
Application for a Special Management Area(SMA) Use Permit to construct a single-story,
3,018-square foot, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath single-family residence and related improvements which
include a swimming pool, garage, lanai, and a utilities room on 6.485 acres of land situated
within the SMA. The subject property is located at 28-3426 Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19), on
the makai side of the highway approximately 0.5 miles south of its intersection with Honomu
Road, por. of Kaakepa-Malamalama Iki, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: (3) 2-8-012:028.
Secretary's Note: "—" indicates indiscernible speech due to internet/technical difficulties or
simultaneous talk.
AU: At this time, I understand, we have one (1) testifier. We have our beloved Council Member
Heather Kimball. So—
KIMBALL: Hi, good morning.
AU: Good morning. Maija, do we have any testifiers in the Aupuni Center as well?
KAY: Mr. Chair, this is Christian Kay at the Aupuni Center. There are no testifiers here.
AU: Okay. Well, Councilwoman Kimball I'm going to swear you in. Can you please raise your
right hand? Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth before the Windward Planning Commission?
KIMBALL: I do.
AU: Okay, thank you, Miss Kimball. So please summarize your testimony within three (3)
minutes and you can go ahead.
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EXHIBIT A
KIMBALL: All right, thank you Chair Au and thank you members of the kin for the opportunity
to offer comments today on the SMA permit before you on the agenda. I just wanted to come in
today to just offer some context and comments with the regard to the decision you will be
making. Particularly with regard to public access. As you may know, on the Hamakua Coast
there's been a significant loss of public access to the ocean. This includes the closure of Kole
Kole Park, Hakalau, now Waipio and they've always been problems with access in other areas,
such as Pepe`ekeo where there are easements granted and yet they're unmaintained.
I understand that this parcel does have a trail that has been typically used by the fishing
community in the area and it is also my understanding that the owners of the property are willing
to maintain that access for the fishermen. And I applaud the landowner for that I think it's really
critical, especially in these times, where food prices, gas prices are so high that we keep this
opportunity to basically these folks' icebox. To go out and get food for their families and
promote sustainability. So, well, I want to make sure that we can continue to maintain this
access for the fishermen who have typically use this area.
I do have concerns about just it being open to the public at large. Particularly concerns about
visitors who may not have any familiarity with the area or the dangers of being close to a
shoreline such as exists at this property. So, one suggestion I might have. I was just recently at a
Kamehameha Schools (KS)property that is leased to a nonprofit and the arrangement they have
is that there's an organization of folks (fishermen)that agree to a set of rules to accessing the
site. They have a text stream where they shared the code to the gate every time it changed, and
people are able to be sponsored to be brought in to be part of the group as well. The fishermen
can bring a guest. It seems to be working out really, really well so it's maintaining that access
for the local folks, the fishermen, but it is restricting just wide general access.
So, as you deliberate today, I really appreciate your consideration about maintaining this
important access for the local folks and fishermen who typically use this space. But also
encourage you to consider public safety issues in terms of maintaining it as an open access for
the general public at large. Thank you Chair.
AU: Thank you Councilwoman. Does any Commissioners have any questions for the testifier?
Okay, no questions. Okay, well, thank you Miss Kimball for your time and thank you for all
your work.
KIMBALL: Thank you, I won't be able to stay on, but I appreciate the opportunity to testify,
thank you.
AU: Thank you.
The item ended at 9:11 a.m.
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EXHIBIT A
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador, Secretary
Windward Planning Commission
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EXHIBIT A