HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-15 Aulii Mahuna From: Aulii Mahuna
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Aulii Mahuna Testimony-LPC July 18,2024 Meeting,Agenda Items#3
Date: Monday,July 15,2024 3:27:24 PM
Aloha,
As a resident of Waimea, I'm asking the Leeward
Planning Commission to NOT approve Kaupulehu Land
LLC's applications for State Land Use Boundary
Amendment from Agricultural to Rural and Change of
Zone from an Agricultural-5 acre to Neighborhood
Commercial and Residential Agricultural (Agenda Items
#3 & #4, Applicant: Kaupulehu Land LLC) for the
following reasons:
In regard to a speculative plan to construct a commercial complex and 77-stall parking lot, I,
`Auli`i Mahuna, a resident and kupa`aina of Waimea, Hawaii (Kamuela) am in complete
opposition of this project.
Myself and the community of Waimea do not condone or support this project. This endeavor
will further gentrify Waimea and displace kanaka maoli from their home(s). It is an
unnecessary and callous endeavor that does not align with the values and visions of the people
of Waimea. Waimea is a special and rural community that has a deeply rooted culture and
history of its own that should be respected by Kaupulehu Land LLC and all others that intend
to disregard and disrespect the communities wants and needs. It is difficult to live and get by
in our own home of Waimea as it is rapidly developing into a sort of picturesque vacation
town not intended for the people of Waimea, Hawaii and this project would only increase
property taxes and the financial toll it will take on the local/native community.
Additional points:
Project is solely for speculation purposes
Thus, is inconsistent with the 2005 General Plan.
A prime example of spot zoning and urban sprawl
The proposed commercial development is excessively
huge with a 3-building, 2-story complex and is NOT
compatible with this part of Waimea. The scale and size
of this proposed commercial development is too large,
similar to a `strip mall' and NOT compatible for this area.
Likewise, it would degrade prime agricultural land
and the "rural, ranching character" of Waimea.
Would adversely increase traffic congestion near
this area
Also, this project would severely impact the traffic and
create further congestion in this particular area on
Mamalahoa Highway which is already difficult to
navigate as the highway starts to narrow near here
when driving west into Waimea Town.
Would adversely increase property taxes for
residents in this area
This proposed residential development which is being
built for the high-end market and not for the affordable
range and would only increase the property taxes for
residents of the area.
NOT in compliance with the Hawaii County General
Plan (2005)
The proposed project fails to protect significant
Agriculture lands by rezoning them and fails to preserve
the rural, ranching character of Waimea as stipulated in
the General Plan. Likewise, this proposed project is
NOT consistent with the General Plan goals and
policies that pertain to Agriculture andcommercial
development. This speculation project has failed to
demonstrate the need for additional retail space in
Waimea with many existing vacant retail properties in
Waimea.
NOT consistent with the South Kohala CDP (2008)
This proposed project fails to meet the guidelines and
policies set forth for the Waimea Town as stipulated in
the South Kohala CDP. Instead, this project would
remove prime agricultural lands and push unsightly
commercial development further east of the Waimea
Town center.
Mahalo,
`Auli`i Mahuna