HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-REZ-2022-000039, PL-SLU-2022-000008 06.13.23 M. AKAU-LACLAIR TESTIMONY DeVera, Ashley
From: Mia Akau-LaClair <makaulaclair@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 6:16 AM
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: OPPOSING TESTIMONY: KAUPULEHU LAND LLC, PL-SLU-2022-000008, PL-
REZ-2022-000039
My name is Mia Akau-LaClair and I live in Pu'ukapu, Waimea and own a home on Waikelehua Place
directly across the main highway from the proposed project site. I fully OPPOSE all applications
submitted by Kaupulehu Land LLC.
I am writing on behalf of the Akau `Ohana of Waimea and eight generations of my family who are
nurtured by the lands and waters of Waimea. My family has lived on this land neighboring the
proposed property for the past 50 years and we are one of the last old time families remaining in the
area. I have witnessed the area around my family home transform from a few local family homes,
grazed pasture land, and forest into commercial office spaces, large residential subdivisions, and a
traffic nightmare. At one time we could farm and hunt on these lands and share food amongst our
families. Waimea will forever be home to my family and we stand to make sure that our Waimea
remains for all future generations. This project and many that have come before continue to
threaten our subsistence way of life growing, raising, gathering food— living in balance with
`aina and we wholeheartedly OPPOSE all applications submitted by Kaupulehu Land LLC.
The proposed project is contrary to all five policies of the Waimea Town Plan of the South Kohala
Community Development Plan developed by the Waimea community to maintain the core values and
culture of our town. Additionally, the goals of the County General Plan are much too broad to achieve
the strategies and overall intentions of the Waimea Town Plan.
Policy 1: Preservation of Waimea's sense of place through protection of important lands, resources,
cultural sites, agricultural lands and open space areas.
The proposed project directly conflicts with preserving Waimea's sense of place by destroying one of
the last remaining open spaces and unobstructed views of revered Mauna Kea in our neighborhood
and along the highway corridor. Constructing commercial and residential spaces with a country
character does not equate to preservation of place, destruction is destruction.
Policy 2: Moderating the pace of growth and change in Waimea by providing adequate infrastructure
before any large-scale new residential or commercial projects can be considered by the County.
The proposed project contributes to the rapid commercialization of Waimea rather than moderating
the pace of growth based on the carrying capacity of our `aina resources.
Policy 3: Wise management of natural resources and important agricultural lands.
The proposed project site was a family farm for the better part of the last 100 years and prior to that it
was a native forest ecosystem that continued into Waimea from our uplands. In the past year a pair of
lo (Hawaiian hawk) have been seen regularly in the vicinity of the proposed project site
demonstrating the importance of the area as habitat to a revered native bird species not found on any
other Hawaiian island. The agricultural and natural resource land uses are highly valued by our
community and replacing these lands with commercial development directly conflicts with wise
management of our natural and agricultural resources.
Policy 4: Development of affordable housing projects for low and moderate income people of
Waimea.
Contrary to Policy 4, the application for the proposed project does not include any plans for affordable
housing.
Policy 5: Timely construction of transportation and circulation improvements to alleviate severe traffic
congestion impacting Waimea Town.
The proposed project is expected to contribute a large amount of additional vehicles to already daily
gridlock traffic without providing adequate transportation and circulation improvements.
The Planning Commission has a kuleana (responsibility) to the `aina and people of Waimea to
uphold these principal values by rejecting projects that directly conflict and should therefore
OPPOSE all applications submitted by Kaupulehu Land LLC.
Waimea should be the strongest voice we all listen to. When I listen to her I hear her cry. She is
saying my streams are running dry, my forests and kula lands are overrun with disease, invasive
plants, and ungulates, my food systems and farms are dwindling, and the influx of people are
overdeveloping and dramatically changing my fertile landscape. For these reasons I say enough,
say NO this project should not move forward, I OPPOSE all applications submitted by
Kaupulehu Land LLC.
I submit my final plea to the Leeward Planning Commission with my family at my side and my kupuna
at my back. I ask you to restore faith in this system that was established to listen to the people and
has not. I urge you to listen to the `aina and the people of this place. In closing, I will say it again
and again, I OPPOSE all applications submitted by Kaupulehu Land LLC. I am asking all
Commissioners to represent to my family and my community and reject these applications.
Me ke aloha `aina `oia`i`o,
Mia Akau-LaClair
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