Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Public Comment Summary County of Hawaiʻi Draft General Plan 2045 The public comment period for the Draft General Plan 2045 was held from September 18, 2023 to April 1, 2024. This comment summary contains the key themes derived from community feedback on the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship section of the draft plan. 1. Natural and Cultural Resource Management Many comments express concerns about balancing development with environmental conservation, preserving native species, managing invasive species, and respecting Native Hawaiian culture and history. Suggestions include integrating more language to support consultation with local history and culture advisory groups, the importance of biocultural stewardship, and the protection of natural resources including water, forests, and agricultural land. There's a strong vested interest in preserving heritage and culture, with calls for restoring original place names, protecting burial sites and other historical landmarks, and ensuring the local culture is respected in planning and development decisions. Concern over the control and management of invasive species, as well as the protection of native species and ecosystems, is evident in the comments. Discussions include the importance of ecological restoration, management of ungulates, and the need for more government action on invasive species. 2. Urban Development and Planning Comments focus on the tension between the need for urban development, such as higher- density construction and infill, versus preserving views and open space. Concerns about maintaining profitability for farmers and impacts on housing costs are also mentioned. There's a push for integrated planning approaches for urban growth that consider cultural diversity and environmental sustainability. Comments suggest that improving and speeding up the review process is essential for advancing projects and development. There's mention of specific utilities, such as geothermal energy and sewer services, and questions about how infrastructure supports or limits development. 3. Sustainability and Climate Change Sustainability is a recurrent concern among commentors, with emphasis on agricultural sustainability, erosion mitigation, water conservation, and concerns related to climate change impacts such as sea level rise. 4. Economic Challenges and Opportunities Feedback touches on the economic impact of planning and environmental policies on businesses, agriculture, and housing affordability. 5. Public Participation and Governance Comments call for more inclusive community participation in decision-making and the management of resources, with emphasis on integrating local voices and expertise into planning processes to ensure that policies reflect the desires and needs of residents. Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 2 of 10 Comment Page Number (in the online Konveio platform) Thank you for providing the opportunity to comment on the County of Hawaii's General Plan 2045. While this Plan contains many worthwhile and beneficial actions, taking steps to eliminate man-made CO2 from the atmosphere is not one of them. Hawaii's Environmental Plans Hawaii's recently enacted laws and plans to eliminate man-made atmospheric CO2 are based on the assumption that the United Nation's IPCC climate change narrative is valid. It is not. It is seriously flawed for the following reasons: •It fails to recognize how atmospheric CO2 is absorbed and released by the oceans and other bodies of water as set forth in Henry's Law, which is a primary law of physics. Read more here: https://henryslaw.org/ •It fails to consider the full impact of the sun and solar radiation as a primary source of energy that heats the earth's and ocean surfaces. Read more here: https://solargsm.com/solar-activity/ •It fails to consider the impact of cloud cover on the reflection and absorption of solar radiation and temperature at the earth's surface. Read more here: https:// climaterealists.ca/clouds-not-co2-key-to- understanding-climate-nobel-winner/ •It fails to recognize that CO2 from all man-made activity is so small that it cannot be measured in the natural environment due to: (1) the natural variations of total CO2,(2) measurement interference with atmospheric water vapor, and (3) large uncertainty in estimates of the amount of human-produced CO2. In fact, human- produced CO2 is not measured but only estimated and modelled based on estimated fossil fuel production from many countries, some unreliable with uncertainties as high as 20%. Read more here: https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v66.23616 •It fails to consider the findings of the more than 1,900 scientists and informed professionals who, in contrast to statements by the IPCC's politicians, declare that there is no climate emergency. Read more here: https://clintel.org/ •It fails to realize that CO2 is essential for the survival of all plant life on which all other life is based. Green plants and other organisms survive by using sunlight to synthesize foods from atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. No atmospheric CO2, no plant life. No plant life, no human life. Read more here: http:// www.co2science.org/about/president.php •It fails to realize that higher levels of atmospheric CO2 are more beneficial than lower levels of CO2 as shown in the chart below: Finally, there is a growing awareness that the IPCC's climate change narrative, which claims that man-made CO2 is the primary cause of global warming, has nothing to do with climate or science, but is really about gaining and exerting more political power and control over it's member countries. It is all about politics, money and control as noted in the two articles below... **Attached images in EPIC*** 183 KS comment: Requirements and encumbrances of this policy could result in unfair burden on landowners. Determination of significance should also consider public and landowner input. 194 KS comment: The implementation of this policy should not result in an unfair taking. If the County's intent is that public access easements be granted, this guideline should consider and provide for balancing of public access (managed and maintained by the County) with a landowner's need to manage security to surrounding areas and the protection of the significant natural and historic resources. 192 KS comment: The extent to which invasive species need to be removed in a development or on a land parcel with development activities could make projects unfeasible. Additionally, this could potentially be impossible if invasive species are not controlled on neighboring properties. 188 KS comment (Objective 45, Policy 45.15, Objective 49, Actions 49.a, 49.b, 49.c, 49.d): These policies have the potential to significantly increase costs related to the land planning and entitlement process and "Natural Beauty Site" establishment, maintenance, and protection, which could make projects unfeasible and hinder development and economic stimulus to the local economy. The plan should include language to allow for exceptions to these policies, where appropriate. Question: Can it be assumed that scenic overlooks, Natural Beauty Sites, and Scenic Resources Protection Program will be publicly funded and managed? 187 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 3 of 10 KS comment (Actions 48.k & 48.a):Tax incentives for landowners and private-public partnerships should help to advance stewardship and preservation of culturally and historically significant sites. 193 Objective 48 The historical integrity, character, scenic assets, and open spaces of our communities are protected, restored, and treated as unique assets with significant social and economic value and managed in perpetuity. Priority Actions p. 192 Original place names should be restored wherever possible. 192 Policies p. 185 The County should not cut or trim any trees without approval from the Arborist Advisory Committee. 186 Cultural Assets There are differences of specific design limitations- design through, around, above Scale - communities, community size, defined limits Differences in worldview, knowing how this came to be, community p. 183 There should be sentences with more complete information. 184 Introduction...the collaborative biocultural stewardship approach can foster a more integrated, inclusive, and equitable approach to conservation and development that reflects the aspirations and needs of local communities. p. 182 That needs to start with the community being given a professionally done draft of this General Plan with no missing pieces. Appendix A is missing and there are several "notes" with apparently incomplete information. 183 Foster grassroots participation and balancing of interests by providing opportunities for active civic engagement, where citizens have the means to collaborate with the government and are empowered to effect positive change consistent with plans developed under this chapter. p. 202 "The government" should be removed and replaced with the County. 183 add in "and other live stock" after "cattle" Add in " and ground water" after "to promote soil" 190 add in "and support" after "partner with" 190 add in "water recharge" after "ground" Replace "quantity" with "flows" 190 add in "water recharge" after "ground" replace "quantity" with "flows" 190 add in "fuel load reduction" after "management" 189 change to "Preserve and improve the health and function of the watersheds to promote water capture and recharge, improve water quality, and reduce runoff." 189 replace "avoid" with "prevent" 188 add in "where appropriate" 187 add in "Incentivize private land management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and when appropriate." in front of "Pursue" 186 add in "silvopasture" after "forests," 186 add in "introduction and" after "limit the" 186 add in "and open space" after "vegetation" 186 add in "rangelands" after "forests" 186 add in "rangelands" after "forests" 186 +add '... develop partnerships to mitigate sediment and nutrient loads.' (ie. oysters planting to decrease nutrient load in Hilo Bay) 190 +remove word (volume). The character {flashiness) of stream flow is as significant as its volume to native biota and stream ecological processes. 190 Priority Action 45.i +include 'streams' Priority Action 45.o +include 'estuary' Priority Action 45.q +include 'estuaries' 188 #NAME? 186 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 4 of 10 Policies 45.2+remove coral from coral reefs-not all reefs are coral. Hamakua coast, for example Policies 45.3 186 The plan urges the County to increase interagency and intergovernmental collaboration. The 'ahupua'a (mauka-makai) perspective by island communities is essential to face the (not so distant) threat of adverse climate disaster. I would encourage the plan to recognize the role of estuaries to our forest/coastal resources health. Hawaiian estuaries, albeit small, is the gatekeeper of our mauka-makai and makai-mauka connectivity. Hawaiian streams are two-lane highways. 182 +There watershed ... {Three?) Stewardship 185 Develop and establish view plane criteria, rankings, and regulations to preserve and enhance views of scenic or prominent landscapes from specific locations, and coastal aesthetic values. Comment: "Add ""and/or corridors""" 194 Restore wetlands and riparian corridors to decrease erosion, increase sediment management, groundwater infiltration, nutrient/pollutant uptake, soil moisture retention, stormwater abatement, and cultural/community connections. Comment: Protect and... 190 Develop buffer policies to protect native forests, wildlife, and habitat. Comment: "add ""rivers, streams, coastal waters including but not limited to anchialine ponds" 188 Encourage the preservation and restoration of natural landscape features, such as coral reefs, beaches and dunes, forests, streams, floodplains, and wetlands, or aquifer recharge areas that have the inherent capacity to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the impacts of climate change. Comment: "and, not or" 186 The waters surrounding Hawaii Island are affected by increasing waste products such as marine debris, plastic pollution from land and ocean sources as well as effluents, pollutants and toxins generated and released from land-based sources such as cesspools and septic systems. Comment: "add ""injection wells""" 184 The county has not developed a scenic resources protection program, including view impact procedures, criteria, and standards. Comment: "add ""scenic resource inventory" 184 Every beach, hotel beach, tourist beaches, public beach must have signs or info discouraging the use of toxic sunscreens containing oxybenzone/avobenzone/homosalate/etc!! Sunscreens cause the rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals, even at extremely low concentrations. People are bringing this in- think about it, they want sun protection GUARANTEED every time they go to the beach and it’s VERY important to the health of our reef- get this nasty stuff OUT! 186 Prioritize Native Hawaiian values 183 Comment: "Thus the need for leadership that recognizes and demands an integrated approach amongst the cast of players, agencies, etc." 185 Why doesn't the state and county perform this review of all land on their own and then refer to it when necessary? 192 How about including trash cleanup and removal on these properties as well? 189 The county needs to stop buying up land and develop what it already has. 186 How was this determined when we still don't understand how our freshwater system works under our island? 184 The county shouldn't focus on sea level rise because it doesn't exist. 184 Absolutely!…Protect the reasonable exercise of customarily and traditionally exercised rights of Hawaiians to the extent feasible! 191 Do we really have a problem here? No one is going to buy into neighborhoods that are stripped of their trees...We don't have money to do these types of programs when we have people we need to help. I can tell you the Hope Services is useless. Let us help people...they 188 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 5 of 10 are in pain, not able to afford nutritious food & many without a decent shelter...Focus on priorities on people not things. How about eradicating the fire ant, coqui frog, mongoose & controlling the pig population!! 188 What is the purpose of codifying tree requirements? Is this codifying going to be enforced? BY WHOM? 187 In this chapter, the term “Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship” is primarily used in addressing issues related to environmental stewardship and biological diversity, but should be broadened to provide the foundation for the entire General Plan. Inclusive collaborations aimed at achieving sustainable management of ecological systems are needed to plan for the protection of our natural environment as well as for humans living in urban areas. 183 It is hard to believe this issue is only given a couple of brief sentences and not a whole section like climate change. We are all impacted by harmful and invasive species right now. How is this not a leading issue confronting our island community? Why aren't more government resources being made available to address this huge problem. Think about how the little fire ant alone has changed our lives. Not to mention coqui frogs, that nasty buffalo-type grass springing up everywhere choking out open spaces and blocking the view. Rapid ohia death, coffee berry borer beetles, goats, banana bunchy top virus. I could go on and on. I haven't seen a real brown house gecko in years. No toads in my yard anymore. Is this really all the mention our local government feels this topic deserves? 189 Add “as well as, other documented cultural and historic sites gathered by community organizations. 193 add, "Support private property owners in the preservation of historic structures that are on the State and National Register of Historic Places.ʻʻ 193 add, "And culture and history advisory committees” 193 add, " and culture and history advisory committees". 193 change to: Public Access shall be determined on a case by case basis with consultation from culture and history advisory committees, any family, or those with kuleana to that site or object 192 Add, "And consult with local sources such as culture and history advisory committees when available". 192 add, "while consulting with culture and history advisory committees where applicable" 192 change to: "Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, culture and history advisory committees, land stewards, as well as other, appropriate organizations, and stakeholders" 191 add to E "and seek to create partnerships or consultation with burial, archeological, historical and cultural advisory committees where applicable” 187 Add; "Scenic resources include historic buildings that give character and preserve the history of our area". 185 Change language to: “Invest in more Community Development Plans and place-based culture and history advisory groups/committees, as well as relevant nonprofits and other organizations that can continue to uplift, protect and maintain community values, heritage, culture, and history.” 185 add: "And will consult with area culture and history advisory groups, nonprofits, and/or other organizations and stakeholders. 185 Add “Continued increase in involvement in existing partnerships, and the identification of new partnerships that help promote and enhance biocultural stewardship, such as newer organizations, area culture and history advisory groups, and other stakeholders.” 185 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 6 of 10 Add: "with the continued consultation, decision-making, and leadership of with place-based land stewards, culture and history advisory groups, as well as other, appropriate organizations, and stakeholders" 185 Add Interagency Collaboration “that consults with place-based land stewards, culture and history advisory groups, as well as other, appropriate organizations, and stakeholders.” 185 “Establish more watershed partnerships that are place-based, to create unique management plans that incorporate the generational knowledge of lineal descendants of those area water systems and to consult with culture and history advisory groups where applicable to identify individuals.” 185 Include along roadways and in bioswales (e.g. Christmas berry overtaking native species in Ana Keahokolole Rd. bioswales). 189 The County should support and utilize the resources on the Big Island Invasive Species Council and its Plant Pono program 188 Feral ungulates such as goat and pig must be controlled first. 187 Control of ungulates, especially goat and pig, is essential for the expansion of native forest. 187 Advocate to state for natural and cultural resource management. County jurisdiction in the urban areas not much flexibility in this section. How can environment section uplift local building industry? -push on conservation lands for higher elevation sites -land ownership issues rather than SLU designation conservation, partnerships with KS, other large landowners with high elevation parcels. Concerns with potential conflicts with view planes. Possible resolution: Check how many natural beauty sites are in HDU/MDU areas 183 My Native Hawaiian neighbor has what I think is a great idea. He wants toseeamarinabuiltonthe1990 lava flow that inundated the black sand beach at Kaimu. Pohoiki is isolated and no longer available location, where as Kaimu is at the bottom of highway130andthemostconvenientspotforaccesstoKeaauandHilo. Hecalculatesthatthereisplentyofroomforatwentyacrecentralpoolaccessedbya channel from the ocean. This would be a major resource for Lower Puna. In addition to providing shelter for fishing boats, ocean going canoes could visit, tourist boats could ply their trade and freight cargoes could be shipped and landed. Add in auxiliary support such as an icehouse, boat repair, and storage yard, transient housing, restaurant(s) and search and rescue station, and it will be a thriving operation. So far, it is only a pipedream. Any suggestions as to how to get this concept turned into reality? Are you willing to get behind this effort? 195 Support land owners to mitagate erosion in gulches by natural methods throuch grants and/or advising 189 Erosion of gulch land that may or may not be in conservation needs to be mitagated with natural and cost effective methods 187 A list of historical sites including cantact of steward /caretaker be provided where it is inappropriate to have signs of sacred sites. 192 Requirements for watershed regulations need to allow for more natural methods 189 Does "native wildlife" refer to bird populations 188 DLNR already have regulations for conservation Area requirements for planting native species. 188 Distiction needs to be made between native species and invasive species such as ironwood, allowing ironwood to be removed and replaced withother trees. 188 This should be specifically addressed in planning and approval phases for new developments 188 Conversely planning codes should restrict the introduction of invasive trees and plants. 188 Landscaping plans for new developments should support mitigation of local hazard risks - for example wildfire or land erosion 187 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 7 of 10 Landscaping plans especially for new developments should be explicitly prevented from introducing invasive trees and plants. 187 Add: community Culture & History Advisory groups, 193 Add: community Culture & History Advisory groups, 193 Change to: "Public access to significant historic sites and objects shall be determined on a case by case basis with consultation from community Culture & History Advisory groups, any family, or those with kuleana (responsibility/claim) to that site or object. 192 Add: and consult with area Culture & History Advisory groups, for the dissemination of basic....." 192 Add: "and consult with local sources such as community Culture & History Advisory groups/committees where available. 192 Encourage the restoration of significant sites. Delete "on private lands" 192 Add verbiage to 47.12: "Partner with government, private and non-profit agencies, community Culture & History Advisory Groups, and other stakeholders to:" 191 Change wording to : "Promote and protect traditional exercised rights and customs of Native Hawaiians. 191 Add (d): Historic, cultural, archaeological sites to include Kupuna burials. 187 Add to (e): "and seek to create partnerships and/or consultation with area Culture & History Advisory groups regarding burials, archaeological, historic, cultural sites and/or properties. 187 Add: Consultation with place-based culture and history advisory groups and committees, as well as relevant non-profits and other organizations that can continue to uplift, protect, and maintain community values, heritage, culture, and history. 185 Add: and will consult with area Culture & History advisory groups, non-profits, and/or other organizations and stakeholders. 185 Continues increase in involvement with existing partnerships and the identification of new partnerships that help promote and enhance bio-cultural stewardship. Such as, newer organizations, area Culture and History Advisory groups, and other stakeholders. 185 County government can take a more proactive role in exercising its protective public trust role for natural and cultural resources with the continued consultation, decision making, and leadership of place based land stewards, community Culture and History Advisory groups as well as other appropriate organizations and stakeholders. 185 Interagency collaboration that consults with place-based land stewards, community Culture & History Advisory Groups, as well as other appropriate organizations and stakeholders. 185 Establish more watershed partnerships that are place-based, to create unique management plans that incorporate the generational knowledge of lineal descendants of those area water systems and to consult with community Culture & History Advisory Groups where applicable to identify individuals. 185 I'm interested in Section 6.5.4-SouthKohala. Table 6-5: Please add Kawaihae Cemetery below Queen Ka' ahumanu/ Kawaihae Road, Isaac Davis Crypt and Church Cemetery, state cemetery across Harbor entrance, Kawaihae Aquifer at comer of Akoni Pule Highway, location of Kawaihae School across the harbor, Kawaihae lighthouse and original Kawaihae Harbor, Blue Dragon Restaurant is the fire station, Kawaihae burial sites in oceanfront park. I note the historic bridges are not mentioned. Pohaukole, Makeahua, Makahuna, Honokoa, Kai Opae and Kawaihae Uka bridges on the Kohala Mountain road. These need to be widen to accommodate bikers and pedestrians. I also note the trails are not included: King' s trail, Ala Loa, Ala Kahakai and Honokoa Mauka-makai trails, Palihae stream trail, Kai Opae Mauka-Makai trails. There is a cemetery in Hoepa at the old church location and another cemetery that DHHL relocated from the harbor when the harbor was blasted in the 1950' s. 192 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 8 of 10 In this chapter, the term “Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship” is primarily used in addressing issues related to environmental stewardship and biological diversity. Biocultural diversity has often referred to the relationships of indigenous and local knowledge, language, and practices with plants, animals, habitats, and ecological functions. Therefore, the concept of Biocultural Stewardship is just as applicable to our “urban resources” as to natural, historical, and conservation resources. Biocultural stewardship should refer to our attitude in how we make decisions for the entire Island including how we plan for growth in urban and rural areas. This includes how we develop urban spaces for enhancement of our cultural diversity, historic preservation, social interaction and recreation, urban canopy (using indigenous trees), and other tools to reduce temperatures on the ground, reduce carbon emissions, and protect against climate-related hazards like floods. From an Island-wide, holistic perspective, we still aren’t “planning”. It is time to consider that many forms of land use are, in fact not environmentally, economically, or culturally sustainable and they lead to the development of land that results in an increasing deficit in services, infrastructure, or other public services. We still have failed to adopt a sustainable, integrated system of planning that looks at the biocultural concept of "reciprocity". How do we honor the Island, restore rather than take, and reject a land use policy that is primarily economically and environmentally extractive? What is the benefit of approving additional market-rate single-family residential subdivisions that no one living on the Island can afford to purchase or rent? Why did we facilitate the use of undeveloped land for shopping malls that now stand abandoned? Why did we approve new office buildings and commercial spaces that are unoccupied? Our use of the Island hasn’t become less sustainable for humans and other creatures. This doesn’t mean we should not develop land. However, we are not putting into place, and requiring planning strategies to achieve the development of great urban places (Livable Cities) where our population can work and afford to live, raise their families, and enjoy their lives. Accomplishing these kinds of changes requires determination and leadership to adopt a comprehensive master-planning approach to how urban spaces take shape. Inclusive collaborations aimed at achieving sustainable management of ecological systems are needed to plan for the protection of our natural environment as well as for humans living in urban areas. There is a need to make fundamental cultural (even spiritual), economic, and political changes to how we live with the land and the natural world integrated with an ecological perspective. For our General Plan to provide a truly biocultural approach would require major changes in attitudes and a willingness to consider cultural ways of knowing in which human needs are in balance with the needs of the `Āina. 183 To 'require' something that is so vaguely worded is unacceptable. 191 Add "and/or corridors" 194 Protect and... 190 add "rivers, streams, coastal waters including but not limited to anchialine ponds" 188 and, not or 186 add "scenic resource inventory" 184 Thus the need for leadership that recognizes and demands an integrated approach amongst the cast of players, agencies, etc. 184 add "injection wells" 184 The Partnership between the County and SHPD should be an implementation of the Ka Pa'akai Analysis Framework already establish by the Hawaii State Supreme Court and implemented by the Office of Environmental Quality Control. 193 Preface with: "Consistent with State law, require..." Let's be clear as to whether or not this policy is intended to increase the burdens/requirements place on a landowner, or merely to review and comment on data provided in compliance with HRS 6E and Rules. 192 "shoreline AREA" (the area below the shoreline) 192 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 9 of 10 There's thousands of such places on this island; what's the purpose of this policy in the context of this particular objective? It could be counter-productive, if inadvertently facilitating the spread of invasive plant seeds by the lookers. Can you give some examples where this policy would be helpful and meaningful without creating environmental risks (including raising wildfire risks)? 191 You're going to have a problem with "to the extent feasible." Does State law (including State Supreme Ct. decisions) allow government to decide "feasibility" in this matter? 191 Such encouraging should include the publicized mapping of current conservation and restoration programs as I have suggested further above in this section. Such a map could be a part of "interpretative signage" at commonly used public venues, even including Maunakea Park which is largely bereft of anything informative about our resources in which it flanks or sits in the middle of. 191 If/when doing so, the PD had better get specific input from "arborculturalists" as to the (1) climate zone where each such plant species will thrive, (2) the water volume/frequency requirement for such plant, (3) the exposed root zone area needed for rainwater (if any) and other biological system needs of the tree/plant. Otherwise, cramming any or all native species into inadequate root area boxes (in excavated lava, especially), too sunny/rainy/cloudy/cold/hot/dry/no-percolation locations, will lead to the kind of failure we can see today in the well-intentioned plantings along the north half of Ane Keohokalole Hwy. (WHCC to Hinalani) 188 "And expand! shoreline setbacks consistent with analyses of the localized impacts and infrastructural and occupancy relocations projected as necessary from the consensus estimate of sea level rise." 187 Add: "Hawaii County can promote and inspire citizen and visitor awareness of the vast (but disparate) island-wide projects underway for general reforestation as well as native habitat repopulation with endangered native species of birds and other native creatures. Mapping these, and publicizing these program location maps other than just a needed appendix to this GP, will amaze and inspire many people. This would include projects by not only DLNR- DOFAW, but also the Federal Wildlife Refuges (Hakalau Forest and S. Kona Forest), various State "Conservation Easements," Private owner programs that formally established for such purposes, and "Friends of..." projects in various places, on both State and Private (e.g., Hawaii Land Trust, Mahukona purchase pending) lands. State "Forest Reserves" not in an active restoration program should still be included, perhaps colored in the lightest shade to indicate relative value of protection/restoration. Doing the above would really create an inspirational gateway for citizen awareness and recruitment. 185 This isn't necessarily a challenge; it might be for the best. As is, it is up to each Department - and the Mayor and the Councilmembers - to keep these values in mind in every decision and every project planned. I think it's better that, than to end up with another bureaucracy that be constantly interceding with others. The existence of an citizen-composed "Environmental Quality Commission" is all that is needed to oversee, mind and remind the officials. 184 This is only a "Challenge" if the GP asserts that land use in general, and natural resources in particular, on this island should be governmentally managed on an `ahupua`a basis instead of resource or activity-type bases. Unless the GP presents this assertion, this is not a "Challenge," it's an oblique suggestion that `ahupua`a are a superior way of managing resources. It certainly was in the pre-contact Native Hawaiian culture, but colonization impacts (deforestation for `iliahi harvesting and cattle ranching, wild cattle in shoreline villages) immediately led to various monarch's disregard for such boundaries in seek of profits (`iliahi harvesting) or public safety (wild cattle in the Kona shoreline corridor, leading to quick construction of the "Kuakini Wall.") While there are clearly some benefits to maintaining an `ahupua`a based consciousness and kuleana, as to a limited set of values, resources and interactions among people, it can be argued that it could be an unnecessary management structure in managing our natural 184 Draft General Plan 2045 Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship Comment Summary Page 10 of 10 resources regionally and islandwide today in the face of so many invasive species, more so because we don't have any `ahupua`a-based trading/harvesting/social systems in the modern times, so it would be a totally artificial construct. Moku (region)-based might have some merit. Gov. Kuakini got it right in just getting up a right-sized wall ASAP for the densely inhabited shoreline corridor, where the role of the `ahupua`a leaders (of then-functional socio-economic- political units) was probably to draw the lines in their segments and get their respective sections built. "State-based," not "size". 184 This is not the right term for the responsibility scope and basis. Better would be "The County has a State-based responsibility (kuleana) for the protection and sustainable management of natural resources delegated to its jurisdiction by the State, with a requirement to adhere to statewide values and mandates." 184 same comment as above, is there a way ensure that infill and vertical construction can continue in high and medium density designations even if it blocks some of these views. More construction in these designations can help reduce the construction in other designations. 196 can we exempt high and medium density designated areas from this to allow for more infill and vertical construction to reduce the need to build on undeveloped land with other land use classification? 194 we need to work on helping SHPD reduce the time it takes to review projects, the review process is currently taking a long time, holding up projects and permitting. Are there other acceptable options to this, or can the CoH work with the State to reduce the review time. 192 is geothermal energy considered one of these resources? if so, is there a way to leave it out. our future energy independence relies on geothermal energy production as a firm source of renewable energy when done respectfully. 191 can we make special provisions for ag related clearing? 190 Is this possible in areas that are not served by county sewer and also in areas with high rainfall? the current map seems to show the A designation in areas of higher rainfall and soil vs lower rainfall and little to no soil. 190 We need to be careful here with the farmers, requiring BMP will drive up the cost and labor. We want to encourage people to farm, but to do that, they need to be profitable, this may make it more difficult to be profitable. 189 can we balance this with ag ventures that may utilize higher elevations to grow crops that require the cold? 188 how does this affect private property, will there be less land available for use by the private land owner? this could have an impact on cost of housing. 188 balance the scenic resources with the urban in fill as we need to build higher vs opening more land for development, how do we balance this? 185 keep lava tubes as a separate action, in cultural objective 194 culturally significant 194 mention burial council 194 historic and cultural 193 historic and cultural 193 Ensure that projects requiring archaeological and burial preservation identified and have appropriate easements on tentative and final subdivision plat maps and plan approval site plans. 192 What is reasonable? - comment from member of public 191