2024-09-25 PL-INT-2024-008755 GP 2045 Draft Comments - D&S DeCleene

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DeVera, Ashley From: David DeCleene < Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 11:55 AM To: Planning General Plan Subject: Revise Hawaii General Plan Testimony Here To: Planning Department From: David &Susan DeCleene Re: General Plan We do not see that the General Plan (GP) serves the people of Hawaii Island because: 1) it is largely predicated on a climate theory that has not had broad public discussion to determine whether such a theory meets with the approval of a majority of residents 2) the district of Hilo has been excluded from input-there is no Hilo Community Development Plan. In the first instance, the county, and state, have been building a structure of offices and regulatory directions based upon the theory of climate change, as if the "science is settled". But who determines such an all-encompassing premise? Renowned scientists from around the world have written extensively in opposition. Is it really the place for elected officials to force all residents to live under a theory of their liking? Do we in Hawaii simply accept a 1992 proclamation from the Rio Summit called Agenda 21 as the underpinning of how we plan our lives?Who gave our elected officials, our bureaucrats in county and state departments, such power to shape both the present and the future? In the second instance, the other Big Island districts have CDPs, fashioned over years by committees of citizens, that have informed the GP. Why has the most populous city in the county been excluded?We have sought an answer to this question for a year and a half, without satisfaction. How can we proceed with a GP lacking this input? A GP should reflect the legitimate goals and aspirations of the great majority of residents. That would indicate democracy in action. And more fundamentally, it would indicate the liberty to shape one's life as desired. Putting an already-written GP online and soliciting comments by an extremely small percentage of residents is a failed attempt at input. Where have been the large open townhalls, hosted during hours the bulk of the public can and would attend?With vigorous questions welcomed from residents? It is a fantasy to think the recent workshop at the Arc of Hilo on a Thursday at 4pm, requiring questions to be written down and thus open to manipulation by the emcee, with no follow up questions, ensuring no one be allowed to actually speak directly to the planning committee representatives, to a room of FOURTEEN (14) residents, promotes true input. That is an insult to the very citizens of the Big Island who care deeply about this land. We strongly believe that this GP should be set aside. Perhaps many points can be used in an updated version. But in the interest of true public input, it is imperative that the Big Island be blanketed with lead- up announcements through flyers, radio, online and mainstream media, to gather in residents for 1