HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-30 TIBBETSON
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
DANIEL IBBETSON (SPP 05-015)
A regularly advertised hearing on the application of was
called to order at 1:41 p.m. in the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Hau/Lehua Room, 62-100
Kaunaoa Drive, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, with Vice-Chairperson Hannah Springer presiding.
PRESENT:C. Kimo AlamedaABSENT & EXCUSED: Fred Galdones
Hannah SpringerRene Siracusa
Rodney H. WatanabeJeffrey McCall
Allen SalaveaAndrew Iwashita
WilliamR.Graham
ChrisYuen,DeputyPlanningDirector
Norman Hayashi, Planning Program Manager
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
And approximately 10 people from the public in attendance.
APPLICANT: DANIEL IBBETSON (SPP 05-015)
Application for a Special Permit to allow a 2-unit bed and breakfast establishment on 0.722
acre of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located
along the west (makai) side of Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11), approximately 120 feet
th
south of the Kaohe Road-Mamalahoa Highway intersection, Kaohe 5
, South Kona, Hawaii,
TMK: 8-7-9:14.
SPRINGER:Commissioners were moving on to agenda item number 7. The
applicant is Daniel Ibbetson, Special Permit 05-015. The application is for a special permit to
allow a 2-unit bed and breakfast establishment on 0.722 acre of land situated within the State
Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the west (makai) side of
Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 11), approximately 120 feet south of the Kaohe Road-
th
Mamalahoa Highway intersection, Kaohe 5, South Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 8-7-9:14. Mr.
Darrow?
DARROW:ThankyouMadamChair.IfImaydirectyourattentiontothelocation
map. The area of this application is within the South Kona District of Hawaii. Looking at the
middleofthemapwehaveagainawhitelinetravellinginanorth-southdirectionwhichis
identified as Mamalahoa Highway, Highway 11. This area here is known as the Kona
ParadiseSubdivisioninSouthKona.JustsouthoftheKonaParadisesubdivisionisthe
applicants parcel identified in blue. The applicant has submitted a plot plan identifying the
EXHIBIT E
1
layout of the property as well as a floor plan of the B & B. The highway is actually above, a
little further up and theres an easement to the property from the highway. The applicant in
this case Daniel Ibbetson is requesting a special permit to allow a 2-unit bed and breakfast
operation on 0.722 acres of land. The 2 bedrooms are identified in this location. The owners
bedroom is identified here. This would be towards the ocean, makai. The Planning
Department has recently received a letter from Barbara Hanson and this was a letter that
basically stated that shes not contesting the application. We also have received a petition for
standing in a contested case from Dean W. Kaiawe and this was submitted on September 22,
2005. Mr. Kaiawe does not reside within the 500 feet from the proposed request but states
that his interest in this matter is clearly distinguishable from that of the general public. After
the application was finalized we were made aware that this parcel, this piece of property is
also used as a cemetery. There are 2 gravesites. The information as far as where theyre
located was submitted to the Planning Commission. We also were given a copy of the deed to
the property in which they talk about a perpetual access easement to relatives and people
visitingthegravesites.Weveaddedconditionnumber7,whichhasbeenhandedouttothe
Planning Commission members. It states the applicant shall maintain the perpetual non-
exclusive easement and right of entry over and for the visitation, maintenance and care of the
existing gravesites located within gravesite A and gravesite B identified as easement 1 within
the applicants deed to the property. The Planning Director is recommending approval of the
requests with the conditions and the added condition. Are there any questions?
SPRINGER:Jeff just before I query my fellow commissioners. Looking at the
photographs that are being circulated are those grave headstones that we can see in photo
number 4?
DARROW:If thats correct theres the access easement travelling mauka on your
left side and then youll-, yes, I believe those are I mean I-. Those could be verified by either
Mr. Kaiawe or Mr. Ibbetson, but it appears to be.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioners? Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:I had one question. Cause I guess we got this material I mean the
limited warranty deed just this morning. And in reviewing that the latest warranty deed where
the last transfer occurred it seems on page 2 that there are provisions also for additional
burials for, under A-1, Louisa? I dont want to murder the name. And cremated remains also
of someone else. Its about midway of page 2 of the limited warranty deed. So, my only
question is assuming were going ahead with this we might want to recognize that in the new
condition?
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Watanabe. Jeff do you have any response to
Commissioner Watanabes question or comment at this time or shall we take it up a little later
in the meeting?
DARROW:This would be on page 2 identified as subsection A and subsection 1, is
that correct?
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WATANABE:That is correct.
DARROW:Yeah. This is part of the deed as well. We can also add in there that
they comply with the requirements of the deed or maybe we can make it more specific.
SPRINGER:Thank you both. Other Commissioners any questions or comments?
Seeing none at this time Id like to invite the applicant and/or their representative to come
forward at this time. At this time Id like to ask the applicant and any others wishing to testify
on this matter to be sworn in at this time on the sign in sheet we have Michael Matsukawa and
Dean Kaiawe? At this time could you all raise your right hands and do you swear or affirm to
tell the truth on this matter now before the Hawaii County Planning Commission?
IBBETSON/
MATSUKAWA/
KAIAWE:Ido.
SPRINGER:Thankyou.Beginningwithyousircouldyoupleasegiveusyour
name and your address for the record?
IBBETSON:Yes my name is Daniel P. Ibbetson. My address is P.O. Box 842,
Honaunau, 96726.
SPRINGER:Thank you sir. Youve, have you received a copy of the Background
Report and Recommendation?
IBBETSON:Yes I have.
SPRINGER:Do you have any comments to share with us at this time?
IBBETSON:None whatsoever.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioners do you have any questions of the
applicant? Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Im just wondering about the 2 gravesites.
IBBETSON:Sure.
GRAHAM:Do we know where they are on the parcel?
IBBETSON:I can actually mark them for you if youd like.
GRAHAM:Thank you.
DARROW:Theres also been some information thats been passed out that
identifies the location.
EXHIBIT E
3
IBBETSON:The initial gravesite is 40 feet by 90 feet and it comes to about, Im
going to be approximate here but this is probably pretty accurate. It comes down like so and
then, well actually well make it like so. This is heavily planted here and of course this is all
landscaped and heavily planted up here providing a substantial amount of privacy for the
descendants if they come, care to come down and visit the graves. Now the other gravesite is
down here and this was one that for the longest time we didnt know who was buried there. I
spoke with the pastor of the church she didnt know. No one seemed to know. So we simply
left it open. And when Mary Ann came down to look at things she went ahead and classified
it as a non-historical site, which I suspect was a mistake on her part. This site is clearly more
than 50 years old. And this site, these start from 1915. Again now I dont know its not my
place to get into that but again she went ahead, she passed it. And, the descendants are all, if
youve read my deed, are all allowed to come and see at any one time I have a very good
relationship with them. And, there have been some additional problems on their end with the
church and this is again a civil matter between-, the church is who I bought the property from.
And again this would be a civil matter between themselves and the church. Thats-.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Ibbetson. And the record should reflect that Mr.
Ibbetson using red marking pen has demarked the burial areas as A and B on the sketch map
of the site that were using as a reference. Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Mr. Ibbetson?
IBBETSON:Yes.
GRAHAM:Just to better understand the terminology from someone whos not
familiar with this at all. When it says gravesite and then you draw that boundary is it like that
whole area 40 by 90 is an area that?
IBBETSON:It has a wall. The upper section of gravesite A has an actual wall. The
individual graves- oh Im sorry, the individual graves most of them, well theyre all quite
distinct for the most part. There is the furthest grave to the south, excuse me, has a very Id
say a 3-foot high wall that runs around it, its quite distinctive. The only graves really of any,
I dont know how to explain this, we didnt even know they were there, lets put it that way.
That was gravesite B. We just didnt know they were there until I got in there and started
cutting away and exposed them. And theres a wall that runs, a very distinct wall thats about
2 to 3 feet high that runs all the way around the-, and there are 4 graves that runs around them.
And they sit well below the house. Its a rather unused piece of property so to speak. Its not
even visible from the house unless you walk out to the edge of the lanai and look down. But
they do have access.
SPRINGER:Mr. Ibbetson in your testimony you mentioned someone named Mary
Ann? Is that somebody with the church or the-? Could you identify her please?
IBBETSON:Yes. Mary Ann is with the DLNR.
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SPRINGER:Is that Mary Ann Maigret?
IBBETSON:Im not sure- it is okay.
SPRINGER:Mr. Yuen?
YUEN:Maigret I believe?
IBBETSON:Maigret? Okay.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioners do you have any further questions for the
applicant? Commissioner Yuen I mean Director Yuen?
YUEN:Im concerned about your non-disclosure of the gravesites in your
application.
IBBETSON:Ididntseeanyreason.Ididntknowtheywereevenrelevant.
YUEN:Wellyourapplicationformhasasection,archaeologicalresources.
IBBETSON:Right.
YUEN:But does it say anything?
IBBETSON:Well the fact that she considered them non-historical you know, they
were not archaeological.
YUEN:And then it has a section that says valued cultural resources and you
say no cultural resources exist?
IBBETSON:Not that Im aware of.
YUEN:You didnt consider the burial sites to be a cultural resource.
IBBETSON:Well if-, Im sorry, I dont quite understand.
YUEN:Well, the existence of the cemetery on the site should have been
disclosed on the application.
IBBETSON:All right I understand that.
YUEN:And Im also puzzled by your statement that you didnt know that
burial site B existed until you went and cleared some of your property.
IBBETSON:Thats correct it was completely grown over, trees and so forth. I went
in and cut the trees back myself. It was completely-, you wouldnt have known it was there.
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YUEN:But your deed has a map that shows burial site B.
IBBETSON:Correct and I looked-, and on the map onthe original map it was not
shown where they are showing it now. It was shown down at the bottom of theproperty,
which is where I hunted and hunted and hunted and I couldnt find it.
YUEN:So youre saying the actual location of burial site B is not where its
shown on the-.
IBBETSON:On the original map.
YUEN:No, Im sorry the Murray 2003 survey map thats attached to your
deed?
IBBETSON:Im going to have to say yes at the moment. Im not sure. But the map
I had, which was done by John Weeks, Sr. showed that the graves were at the bottom of the
property.
SPRINGER:Mr. Ibbetson do you have a copy of the document that the Director is
referring to or can we offer a copy to you so that youre looking at the same-?
IBBETSON:ThatIwouldappreciate.
SPRINGER:Okay.Mr.Darrowcanyouhelpusouthere?
YUEN:Thisisa-,ImtalkingabouttheBlaineItosurveymapthatisinour
records dated January 21, 2003. And it does show site B at the bottom of the property.
IBBETSON:Right.
YUEN:That is your deed.
IBBETSON:Can I look at what youre looking t?
YUEN:Yes.
IBBETSON:I dont have what youre-. The deed I- let me show you something this
is kind of interesting.
SPRINGER:Mr. Director as you folks exchange information can you please state for
the record what youre looking at.
IBBETSON:(not speaking into mike) The map I have was given is shown these,
none of this was shown. This was shown with 2 simply 2 little (inaudible) down here. And
thats all that was.
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YUEN:You need to- (pointing to mike).
IBBETSON:Oh Im sorry. There were only two little graves down here and thats
all that was available to me. This I saw none of this. And until Dean-.
TORIGOE:Lets clarify that on the record what hes pointing out please.
YUEN:And youre referring to site B?
IBBETSON:Site B correct.
YUEN:To show us where the stone wall around it.
IBBETSON:Thats correct.
YUEN:Youre saying that-.
IBBETSON:All that were shown were two small little gravesites at the very center
ofthebottomoftheproperty,notwhereBisnow.And,Imsure,Ihatetodothisbutthe
original paperwork from John Weeks Sr. will show that.
SPRINGER:And the map that youre referring to is the map that we have in our
files.
YUEN:And youre saying this other map that you saw was part of your deed?
IBBETSON:Thats correct.
YUEN:But you dont, and you dont have it here.
IBBETSON:Im sorry. I cant, I dont have my entire deed here is what it is.
YUEN:And-.
IBBETSON:I wasnt prepared for this to be honest with you.
YUEN:And that the deed that-. And we got a copy of this deed of this map
from Mr. Matsukawas submission on behalf of the person applying for-.
IBBETSON:Thats fine.
YUEN:Applying for intervention. And just to make it absolutely clear youre
saying that, that this map that Mr. Matsukawa supplied to you was not part of your deed?
IBBETSON:Nope thats correct.
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YUEN:All right. Thats about as far as I think we can take this right now.
IBBETSON:Okay.
YUEN:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Thank you Madam Chair. Mr. Ibbetson can you tell us, giveus some
background as to how you had discovered burial site B in-? What were the circumstances and
what the activity?
IBBETSON:I was clearing the property. And I had my chainsaw out andIwas
cutting theChristmas berrydown and thats when I discovered the wall. And I was you
know,surprise,surprise,Ifoundit.WhereIdidnotexpectittobe.
SALAVEA:Allright.Wasthereanygradingor-?
IBBETSON:No.Imsorrygoahead.
SALAVEA:Thattypeofactivitygoingoninthatarea?
IBBETSON:No. Not at that time.
SALAVEA:As I see it on the map and as you referenced it for us I see its near to
the pool deck. In the construction of the pool was there any grading done in that area? For
the pool?
IBBETSON:Actually, not grading but what we built the pool above ground and then
we pushed some soil in the back up against the back of the pool.
SALAVEA:Okay, all right, thank you.
IBBETSON:Okay.
SPRINGER:Other Commissioners questions for the applicant? Commissioner
Graham?
GRAHAM:This may be an inappropriate kind of question but just Im wanting to
ask you how long youve been in Hawaii just as a background feeling for how sensitive you
might be to issues like graves here.
IBBETSON:23 years and Im very sensitive to the issues. Like I say when Mary
Ann came out and said oh no these are not historical sites and I have the paperwork to support
that if youd like to see it.
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GRAHAM:Thank you.
IBBETSON:All right.
SPRINGER:Other Commissioners questions for the applicant? At this time Id like
to ask Misters Matsukawa and Kaiawe to come forward please. Commissioners, Mr. Kaiawe
is the petitioner for standing in this contested case hearing and Mr. Matsukawa is his
representative. Youve both been sworn in. Could you please give us your names and
addresses and then whomever is going to speak first please do so.
MATSUKAWA:Okay. My name is Mike Matsukawa. My address is 75-5751 Kuakini
Highway, Kailua-Kona.
SPRINGER:Thank you.
KAIAWE:My nameisDean Kaiawe. My address is P.O. Box 762, Captain Cook,
Hawaii.MyphysicalisinKaoheIII;theresakuleanawithintheahupuaa.
SPRINGER:Thankyouboth.RightnowweneedtoaddressthePetitionfor
Standing which is before us from Mr. Kaiawe. Commissioners youve had a chance to review
that application do you have any questions for Mr. Kaiawe? Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:I guess my main question for standing would be, how are you related?
KAIAWE:Okay. The grantor of this parcel, the cemetery parcel was my great
grandmother. Okay in 1915 she had deeded this parcel, which I have a copy of the deed to the
Hawaiian Evangelical Association, which todays known as the Hawaii Conference
Foundation. Prior to this, this whole ahupuaa and this kuleanas bill was in the family from
Kamehameha IV and I have documents that trace back from Kamehameha the IV all the way
to my grandfather. What happened was in 1915, I would think before that. There was
actually, within this ahupuaa on the point of this ahupuaa was the original church and school
site down at the beach. According to my grandmother when the village people moved up to
the roadway the school had moved, which is not Alae School and the church had moved to
relocate because everybody had moved up. At that time the church had asked my great
grandmother for a piece of her property to be used as a church to relocate the church. And
thats when we found out these deeds. This is for the cemetery. The church is mauka side of
the road and there was about 3 separate deeds that she had given to the Hawaiian Evangelical
Association between the years 1905 to 1915. However now this particular parcel is a
cemetery where Mikala my great grandmother, her husband and her children are buried,
which is located in site B. I was told by my grandma and where this site was located because
yeah it was overgrown at one time; there was Christmas berry trees. And when I found out
about it my grandma gave me directions to the place and exactly to the foot is where I found
it. And so I went down to clear it up to put flowers. And I had written letters to the Hawaii
Conference Foundation that because it was neglected, that the family was interested in the
Foundation to survey the place so we know what the boundaries are so we could go down and
start cleaning it. But nobody responded and at that time, I believe it was in 1990 and it was
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Mr. James Richards I believe was the Executive secretary for the conference. What I found
out about the sale of this property and I went down to visit the house was already built. And
I found out from a family member whose ancestors are buried in site A. So I went straight
down and, to see what was going on and Daniel Ibbetson came out, I told him who I was and
my first concern was the site of B, which is where my family is buried. So his house actually
is right located between both site A and site B. Okay so I couldnt see the grave so I
mentioned to him that do you know that theres gravesites in front of your house? And so he
invited me in, we went through his house on the swimming pool where you would look down
cause he had back filled where the pool is I would say about 5 to 6 feet. So now youre
actually looking down into site B. Okay at that time I also noticed that because of the fill
material that he had brought in or whether he had excavated to level the lot he had used these
walls as his retaining wall. At that point I did not say anything because I had no idea what
was going on. All I know was there was this house now and this cemetery. So Mr. Ibbetson
then mentioned to me that it was our responsibility to maintain the graves and which he
pointedtositeA.AndIsaidwellmyfamilysinsiteBandatthattimehetoldmeno,
nobody comes to site B, hes going to maintain that. And again I did not argue because I did
not know what was going on. But in me, to me that wasnt right. You know that, where my
ancestors are buried the families, the descendants would always have the right to go. But I
didnt say anything and I told him that you know thats where my family is buried and he
insisted that no that hes going to take care, maintain the grave. And I could understand why,
its because this site is in front of his house where his entertainment area is. Okay so what I
did after that was try to get information. I called family members and nobody knew what had
happened. I called the burial counsel and was told that he did call or he went in and he was
told that he needed to contact the descendents of those buried there and to hold a meeting as
to what his plans are and an agreement had to be made before anything can be done. Okay
none of our family was notified. Okay, I started calling members in site A cause I know who
those families are too. I spoke with Nancy Eta Haalilio who Mr. Ibbetson mentioned was the
Kahu of the church. However she is not the Kahu of this church, shes a Kahu of Pukaana. I
called Nancy Eta and I told Nancy Eta that, do you know that cemetery down Kaohe, Hou
Ikeana? And she said yes. So I said, do you know theres a house there? And she said yes
Mr. Dan Ibbetson. So I said, so you knew about this. And she said yeah. So I said well how
come nobody notified our family who are the graves makai. She said they knew there were
graves but they didnt who it belonged to. Okay so I started doing more search. I did not
have the surveyors map by John Weeks or the deed. What had happened was Im a member
of Central Kona Union Church, which is under the Hawaii Conference. And there was a
special meeting held at another sister church Lanakila. And I was invited by my dad to come
and listen in and what it was, was a associate pastor from the Hawaii Conference had come
over. There were some problems at the church so I went to listen and during this meeting he
mentioned church lands and old sites. So which got my attention. So after the meeting I
approached him. I introduced myself. And I told him that there was this cemetery down
south that was sold by the conference. He said no that couldnt be true. I said it did I talked
to the owner now. He still insisted that no that couldnt have happened. However he said
hell be back in 2 weeks. Hell go back to the conference, do some research and hell answer
me in 2 weeks. Well he came back in 2 weeks with the deed from the conference and the
surveyors map. So after looking through the deed and the sites I thought itd be, it was really
a legal matter for-. In my opinion the cemetery shouldnt have been sold in the first place.
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According to what I read in the deed, when my great grandmother deeded it the bottompart
she says for cemetery use. And why I believe it shouldnt have is back in 1915 when the
Hawaiians used to talk to each other. And they would say Ill give you from this property,
from this tree to that rock. To them that was the law. You know it was paa. And everybody
in that area, the community knew that when somebody spoke of something that was the law.
Whether you know that would stand up in court I believe its for the courts to decide okay. In
the meantime I found out Mr. Ibbetson had applied for a Special Use Permit to operate a bed
and breakfast. So I called the County Planning Department. I talked to Sharon and asked her
that I understand this applicant had applied and if that was a public record and if I could pick
up a copy, which I did. After reviewing it there are several things that I noticed that I wasnt
satisfied with and one was the DLNRs report that there were no historic sites. And it was
signed by Mary Ann Maigret who signed it as Assistant Archaeologist and to me was an
archaeologist is a person that goes out to look for bones, for burials, historic property. So this
kind of confused me. I tried to call her office. I left several messages, which she did not
return.InthemeantimetherewastimelimitwhenthishearingwascomingupandI
understood that for met to contest this case I had a deadline, I had to file. So time was for me
was very crucial. I then called DLNR Kapoleis office in Honolulu to-. And all I called was
to clear up some questions that I had regarding this review. And so I spoke with this lady I
dont have her name here but I have it written down. And shes an archaeologist that does
work over on Maui but she was in Oahu. And I asked her first of all, how do you folks, how
does the DLNR Division, Historic Preservation Division know when they was supposed to go
out to check a property for Historic sites. She then explained that the applicant must have
applied for a rezoning or special use. And I said, a special use. She said okay, when that
happens all these agencies are notified including the DLNR. So I said okay now you folks are
notified when you go out to this property what do you folks look for? Are graves something
you look for? She said oh yeah definitely. So I said so why is this report signed that there is
no historic properties affected? Her answer was I could tell you that she didnt go out.
Because if youre saying theres graves. I said this is actually a cemetery, theres a lot of
graves on here. Whether she did or not and thats why I wanted to talk to Mary Ann directly,
to find out if she did and if she did Im sure she could explain why she had signed this. That
there was nothing, no historic properties affected. So, this kind of concerned me and made
me look into it more. Okay the other thing that concerned me was the last page of the
applicants permit which shows his plot plan where he does not even show any grave or grave
sites on here but shows mango and guava and landscape. And, so then I talked to Darrow
cause I had some questions as to whether he applied for a building permit, whether prehistoric
review would be required he said no. But if the property was graded and grubbed then a
permit would have been required and at that time the DLNR would have gone out. Well
when I spoke with Mr. Ibbetson and I went down actually like about 2 weeks ago was to see if
we could work out something. And the problem actually started with the easement the 10-
foot wide easement that the Conference had reserved in favor of the descendants. Mr.
Ibbetson denies that there was an easement. And so I went down and with the surveyors map
and I asked him which was his boundary to the north on the Kohala side and he had a string
pull at that time. So I took a tape measure and he held it on the line and we put out 10 feet
cause the easement is 10 feet wide, 200 feet long. Well, I told him this is where the 10 feet
comes and in the middle is his Palm trees, Arica Palms. And I said well that is in the
easement and that would have to be removed and he said no way. And I said its in the
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easement and he claims that he didnt get this surveyors map and he showed me what hehad.
And what he had was actually one old Tax Map Key that showed the whole ahupuaa but not
the specific site itself. So I showed him what I had, he denies that the Conference gave it to
him. So I turned the deed from the Hawaiian Conference to Mr. Ibbetson and I said is this
your signature. He said yes. I said well you signed this deed and attached to this deed was
this map you know. So I said you cant say you didnt get it. The problem I guess is prior
actually it goes back to me to the sale of this property and whether that sale was legal since it
was restricted in my great grandmothers deed to be used as a cemetery.
SPRINGER:Mr. Kaiawe Im going to interrupt your testimony at this.
KAIAWE:Sure.
SPRINGER:Right now were focusing on the matter of your request for standing in
thiscaseanddoyouhaveanythingmoretosaywithregardtohowyouaredistinctfromthe
general public. Because one of our criteria to determine standing is if you have an interest
that is clearly distinguishable from that of the general public. I believe that youve done so
through your discussion of your ancestors having been the landowners and then that provision
that was made with the church. Do you have anything more to say in that regard?
KAIAWE:I would ask the Commission at this time to postpone any decision made
on this bed and breakfast permit until this issue at least resolved further. I mean there was a
time limit that he applied until I found out about it. And I think by granting him the permit if
I pursue it on a civil matter its just going to make things worse.
SPRINGER:Mr. Kaiawe do you stand by your application for standing in this
contested case?
KAIAWE:Yes.
SPRINGER:You do. Commissioners do you have any questions of Mr. Kaiawe in
that regard? Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Thank you Madam Chair. Mr. Kaiawe do you have, is there to your
knowledge any written record as to who is buried in gravesite B.
KAIAWE:Im not sure if any of the family-, I dont have-, all I know was I was
told by my grandma who was buried there and she gave me the description from site A how to
get to site B.
SALAVEA:So is there record of your grandma being-, is it your grandma being?
KAIAWE:Im not sure-, my great-grandma.
SALAVEA:Your great grandma being-?
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KAIAWE:Im not sure if the Hawaiian Evangelical Association Church would
have records or the Hawaii Conference. Im not sure if its required by the church to be
surveyed who and who is buried in the cemetery, Im not sure.
SALAVEA:And the reason I ask is just to clarify and ascertain whether or not your
link to the land and I-, there are other ways that through the documents that you provided that
Im trying to establish that. And thats in direct, or directly related to trying to define whether
or not you do have a clear standing more than just someone from the general public so. Im
just trying to see if there are any either its written record or maybe theres a oral record and I
know you just said that you were told by your great grandma that your family was buried
there but what type of record is there to show that relationship. Thank you.
KAIAWE:Thank you.
SPRINGER:CommissionerWatanabethenAlameda.
WATANABE:JustacommentandmaybeaquestionforCounsel.Inthepastwhen
were looking at granting standing to (inaudible) weve tended to error if anything on the
lenient side. And my question for Counsel would be you know since the time of these
transactions was so far back its not reasonable to assume that everything was in writing and
recorded etc. Would it be appropriate to grant standing and request that discovery be handled
there? Providing you know this claimant more time to establish the lineage.
SPRINGER:Mr. Torigoe?
TORIGOE:Thank you Madam Chairman. You know Id like to hear the positions
of Mr. Ibbetson and the Planning Director also but if you find that theres enough of what you
consider to be credible kamaaina testimony. You know that it seems like this is a credible
claim to lineage then I wouldnt have a problem you know with your going on that and also
pursuing the matter further during the hearing.
SPRINGER:Follow up Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Well, I guess well just wait for the comments from the others.
SPRINGER:Okay. Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:I just wanted to check with Mr. Kaiawe if he was aware of what
happens in a contested case situation and kind of like the next steps if we were to grant that.
Would you like us to share with you the protocol? How that works?
KAIAWE:Sure.
ALAMEDA:Chair?
SPRINGER:Thank you. Mr. Torigoe?
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13
TORIGOE:Thank you Madam Chairman. I assume though Mr. Kaiawe thatyou
have Mr. Matsukawa assisting you with this case?
KAIAWE:Yes.
TORIGOE:Has he talked to you about what it means to have a contested case?
KAIAWE:Uh, we kind of talked about it a little.
TORIGOE:Okay, so basically hes informed you that this will involve a formal or
semi-formal trial like proceeding where if the Commission finds that you have standing as an
intervenor as a party in a contested case then the Commission will hold a trial-like Contested
Case proceeding either as the Commission doing it or hiring a Hearings Officer to do that.
During which time you and Mr. Ibbetson and the Planning Director will all be parties. You
will have the opportunity to present documentary evidence and testimonial evidence and to
cross-examine each others witnesses and ultimately to argue your position. And if this is
given to a contested case hearing officer then the officer will provide a report back to the
CommissionalongwithsomerecommendationsandthentheCommissionwillhavetomake
a final decision. And that final decision ultimately can be appealed through the Court
system. So it does require a certain commitment on your part as a party to follow through
with this and this semi-formal proceeding here. I guess Commissioner Alameda just wanted
to make sure that youre aware of that.
KAIAWE:Yes I understand.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Torigoe. Commissioners do you have any questions of
the applicant for intervention? Seeing none we ask Mr. Ibbetson do you have any comments
to make at this time?
IBBETSON:Yes I do.
SPRINGER:Regarding standing?
IBBETSON:Regarding standing. Well Id like to make a few comments quickly
before I-, this has to do with standing lets just move along. Im sorry but as far as my-, Mr.
Graham wondered how long Ive lived here and whether or not I was sensitive to the grave
issue. Im very sensitive to the grave issue and I took offense at that. I not only cleaned out
gravesite B but I have been maintaining it on a regular basis. As far as gravesite A is
concerned I go in on a regular basis and spray the weeds and Im the one who keeps it up. I
also was the individual who specifically requested that this be placed in perpetuity so that
their ancestors would always have access, the church did not. All right, as far as the first time
Dean visited the house was in stuck form it was not completed. The walls he mentioned that
were, in gravesite B were used as retaining walls that is absolutely not true. There are, the
wall hits like so you come back approximately 18 inches and then the hillside goes up. It has
nothing to do and absolutely no, nothing to do with the hillside.
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14
SPRINGER:Mr. Ibbetson can we return to the topic of the standing?
IBBETSON:All right. As far as his standing is concerned. First of all I would like
to see evidence that his relatives are buried there, number one. If this is-, and not only that I
do feel that the church-. The other thing Id like to see is whether or not the paperwork that
he has and the document he is presently holding are genuine documents, Im going to have to
go through that. And then as far as anything more it just seems to me that this is an issue
between the individuals Dean and the church. And what the church did may very well have
been wrong God knows but I had nothing to do with it. And whether I operate a small 2-
bedroom B & B or not seems to be of little consequence. I dont see how thats going to have
any impact upon his present situation and his dealings with the church. I just dont.
SPRINGER:So sir with regard to Mr. Kaiawes Petition for Standing you would,
your comment would be for denial?
IBBETSON:Oh absolutely.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Mr. Matsukawa?
MATSUKAWA:I had some comments but they go to the merits and not to standing so
Ill stay silent.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Matsukawa. Mr. Yuen?
YUEN:My recommendation would be that the Commission grant standing.
Thattheintervenorhasshownthatheis,hasaninterestinthispropertydifferentthanthatof
the general public in that the property was originally granted by his family member for the
purpose of a cemetery and that he has family members buried on the site.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Yuen. Commissioners do you have any questions at
this time? Were on the matter of whether or not to grant standing to the Petitioner Dean
Kaiawe.
ALAMEDA:Madam Chair?
SPRINGER:Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Excuse me I just wanted to know if, will the question of outsourcing
become an issue or is that already an assumption?
SPRINGER:Thats the next question. But the first question is whether or not to
grant standing.
ALAMEDA:Okay.
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15
SPRINGER:On the matter of granting standing to Dean W. Kaiawe. Weve been
discussing his petition for standing in this contested case hearing is there any further
discussion on the matter of standing?
SALAVEA:If I may Madam Chair?
SPRINGER:Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:In the matter of Daniel Ibbetson Special Permit Application number 05-
01. I move that we grant standing to Mr. Dean W. Kaiawe in regards to establishing his
petition.
WATANABE:I second.
SPRINGER:ThankyouCommissionerWatanabe.
WATANABE:Butjustforclarification.Hedidsay05-015right?Isthatright?
SALAVEA:05-015.
WATANABE:Oh,okay,okaythankyou.
SALAVEA:Thank you.
SPRINGER:We have a motion from Commissioner Salavea and a second from
Commissioner Watanabe to approve of the Petition for Standing by Dean W. Kaiawe. Is there
any further discussion?
SALAVEA:Well I-?
SPRINGER:Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Id just like to reiterate Director Yuens sentiments that I think the
evidence presented is sufficient with the, his ancestors deeding the land over to the
Conference. And in my eyes I see that as establishing lineage to this particular parcel of land.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner. Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Just wanted to check with Corporation Counsel that the timeliness is
okay on this application?
TORIGOE:I understand staff that this was submitted in a timely fashion within 7
days?
DARROW:(nods)
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16
TORIGOE:Yes.
SPRINGER:Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Mr. Darrow?
DARROW:Thank you Madam Chair. Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Aye.
DARROW:Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Aye.
DARROW:Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Aye.
DARROW:CommissionerGraham?
GRAHAM:Aye.
DARROW:AndMadamChair?
SPRINGER:Yes.
DARROW:The motion passes 5 to 0.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Kaiawe your Petition for Standing has been accepted by
the Planning Commission. We now go into deliberation on whether to outsource this matter
or to take it up for ourselves. Thank you gentlemen while we continue this discussion.
KAIAWE:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Mr. Ibbetson?
IBBETSON:Yes, I have one question. So at this point am I in a position to go ahead
and extend? Ill need legal counsel theres no question there. And, so we can ahead. I can
assume that this will moved onto the next meeting is that correct?
SPRINGER:Thats correct were going to be in discussion now as to whether or not
it will be taken up, the matter will be taken up by the Planning Commission or whether well
outsource it. So please stay at the table and this discussion will continue.
IBBETSON:Okay. All right thank you.
SPRINGER:Youre welcome. Commissioners the matter now before us is how this
contested case will be handled. Commissioner Watanabe?
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17
WATANABE:Based on the complexity of establishing lineage etc.Iwould
recommend that we outsource this.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Watanabe. Is there any other discussion?
Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:And, Id like to add I agree with Commissioner Watanabe. Id also like
to-, Im not sure if this is possible but Id like to make sure that theres sufficient time
between the- between now and the time the hearing is held so that complete records or as best,
complete records aregathered up because I have, I do have some personal experience doing
this type of work and its really, its time consuming to go and dig up the records from the
Department of Health. So Id just like to make sure that enough time is given to produce a
clear record of whatwasdone in the past.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Salavea. Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:I just wanted to put out. Im looking at it in a more limited way and
maybe the Planning Director could respond to what Im saying. It seems to me that tracing
lineage and all the connections that Mr. Kaiawe might have and the history and all is not
really at the heart of what we are here to decide. We do know that there are graves in these
locations on this property and it seems that what were here to decide is given that we know
that is it appropriate to allow a bed and breakfast operation. So I hate to think of everybody
spending a lot of time and money and effort on something thats really not central to what this
permit is about.
SPRINGER:Mr. Yuen do you care to respond? It seems as though by having
accepted Mr. Kaiawe as, accepting his petition for intervention that further research into lineal
descent is of less importance than the merits of the application as Mr. Graham is describing.
YUEN:I also dont look at the genealogical information as being crucial at this
point given that we have accepted the petition for standing. And that in the end the question,
there will be a legal question that is really not before us the propriety of the transfer of the
property, I believe that would have to be taken up in the courts another forum. The issues that
we would like to see at the, that the application dealt with would be those of the impacts of
the bed and breakfast on the grave area.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Yuen. Commissioners? Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Yeah with that in mind it seems like if were trying to decide whether
to outsource or not and Commissioner Watanabe felt that it could be complicated issues
involved and all. If in fact as you and I and perhaps Director Yuen feel its not that
complicated maybe we could ask Mr. Matsukawa and Mr. Kaiawe if they foresee a brief
presentation and a relatively brief hearing whether we could do it on one of our agendized
days. Or whether they foresee it a more lengthy to where it might be better for us to have
someone else conduct the hearing.
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18
SPRINGER:Mr. Matsukawa have you heard Commissioner Grahams comment and
question and can you respond to it?
MATSUKAWA:Yes I tend to agree with Mr. Graham. I think the issues are very
discreet. One would be law questions that may or may not fall within your jurisdiction to
answer but nevertheless needs to be addressed. And the second would be the factual
questions that assuming certain things were true and valid etc. what impacts within the
definition of rule 6 does this particular application present? And that could be presented quite
I think in a compact format.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Matsukawa. Mr. Ibbetson do you have any comments
at this time?
IBBETSON:No I dont think so, not at this point.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Ibbetson. Commissioners youve heard the discussion
from the Director and our colleague Mr. Graham, other feelings on this matter of whether or
not to outsource.
ALAMEDA:Madam Chair?
SPRINGER:CommissionerAlameda?
ALAMEDA:ItendtoagreewithCommissionerGrahamonthisone.Ithinkthisis
something that we could be able to address here at, within our own meetings via an agenda
item.
SPRINGER:Commissioners? Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:After clarification and thank you Commissioner Graham for bringing
that up. Yeah, I also agree and we think that we can handle this.
SPRINGER:Okay. Commissioner Watanabe do you concur?
WATANABE:Its fine with me.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioners. In this event then can we look at our
calendar and see what sort of time frame were looking at? For this to be taken up at a Kona
st
meeting. If the agendas are full. If we would be able to take it up on I believe October 21
is
ournextmeetingorifweshouldmoveitforwardtoNovember?
st
HAYASHI:Yeah,Idontthinkthatwouldbepracticaltohaveitonthe21.The
reason why I state that is that what we need to dois notify the parties that they need to submit
exhibitsandtheirwitnesslist.Sopreferablywewouldliketohavethatmovedbackalittle
bit to the November meeting if thats okay with the Commission.
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19
SPRINGER:And with regard to the Commissions November schedule has one of
our meetings in that month been cancelled?
HAYASHI:Yes that wasthe Hilo meeting that was cancelled. So we still have the
West Hawaii meeting.
SPRINGER:Okay and what is the date of the next West Hawaii Meeting?
th
HAYASHI:That would be I believe was November 18.
th
SPRINGER:November 18. So, with Mr. Hayashis good guidance there we
wouldnt be looking forward to hearing this is October rather in November. Do the parties at
the table Mr. Matsukawa and Mr. Ibbetson feel that this provides you with sufficient time to
prepare?
MATSUKAWA:Thats fine.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Matsukawa. Mr. Ibbetson?
IBBETSON:Thats ample time. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Thank you sir. Mr. Yuen?
YUEN: (nods)
SPRINGER:And Mr. Yuen concurs as well. So, should we have a motion on this to
continue it to the November meeting Mr. Torigoe?
TORIGOE:Yeah. Actually if its a contested case matter I think you can do that as
the presiding officer. Also if the Commission is going to hear the Contested Case Hearing
then unless the Commission appoints someone else then the Chairperson would be the
presidingofficer.AndsoIdontknowifthatsgoingtobeyouorifthatsgoingtobeMr.
Galdones but I think Staff needs to confer with the leadership and determine who thats going
tobeandyouprobablyneed,whoeversgoingtodoitwillprobablyneedtocontactthe
parties to have some discussion about setting pre-hearing deadlines and the like.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Torigoe. The November date again is? November
th
18?
DARROW:Correct.
SPRINGER:TheninmycapacityastheChairoftheHawaiiCountyPlanning
Commission I schedule this matter of the application by Mr. Ibbetson, Daniel Ibbetsonon this
th
SpecialPermit05-015fortheNovember18meetingoftheHawaiiCountyPlanning
Commission and I will confer with staff to establish who specifically the Hearing Officer will
EXHIBIT E
20
be and to establish the calendar for all pre-hearing meetings and deadlines. Thank you all Mr.
Ibbetson, Mr. Matsukawa and Mr. Kaiawe. Thank you.
This discussion ended at 2:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Marushige, West HawaiiSecretary
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21