HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-06 PL-SMA-2023-000046 Johnny Inserra Opposition Testimony From: Johnny Inserra
To: W PCtesti mony
Date: Wednesday, March 6,2024 8:12:49 AM
Lessons from the North Shore of Oahu
Previously a long term resident of the North Shore before moving to Ka'u, I witnessed a slow
but seemingly inevitable process of development take over an entire community and with that
change the displacement of many families that had lived there for generations. So many issues
from ecological to traffic concerns. Just take a drive from Haleiwa to Sunset beach and you
can see the results.
Of the many concerns that come along with development such as the proposed plan for
Punalu'u, one effect is so long term that it is often overlooked at the beginning. Real Estate
Property Taxes. Sooner or later as the property values rise in the area, families that have lived
here eventually may not be able to keep up with the increases. Anecdotally, we have all heard
stories of families selling and leaving the island chain for places that promise lower costs of
living. This is one of the most unfortunate of all the ill effects(and there are many) of the way
development for Tourism has historically taken place.
Taxes on North Shore properties went up again this past year with many residents receiving
new assessments at much higher valuations based on recent sales of properties, some with
significant increases.
What will happen to local adjacent properties taxes when the resort properties inevitably
increase the valuation of the area?
Secondly, Turtle Bay is an example of a resort in the most beautiful location on North Shore. I
imagine that it once was pristine as Punalu'u is now. I believe an agreement was reached
where 800 or so acres were set aside for conservation through the state and private entities and
to keep beach access for locals. (I don't know the exact figures, but they can be researched.)
Even with this agreement, access continues to be challenged with the future development
plans changing access and parking for the public. However, it's a compromise between the
lesser of two evils. One thing that one must remember is that owners of resorts change and
with it attitudes. Turtle Bay has gone through different ownership over the decades that I'm
familiar with it. Some ownership has been local friendly and some has not. Plans and
agreements change and the access for locals varies with every new company that acquires it.
What starts has a good plan does not always stay that way.
Third and lastly, defunct golf courses have been finding new life as public spaces and parks all
through the US. (An article in the New York Times recently covered this new phenomenon)
Perhaps this could be used as a possible blue print for how other proposed uses for the
development as opposed to the obvious ecological disaster and the tragic loss of one of the last
pristine places that developing in Punalu'u as now proposed presents.
Thank you for all your efforts,
John Inserra