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November 18, 2024 <br /> Re: LPC Special Meeting 11/21/24 (HICDC) <br /> Aloha Commissioners, <br /> My name is Whitney Harvey, I was raised in Waimea and my partner, son and I live in the <br /> Lalamilo area. I am writing to comment on items 4, 5 & 6 in New Business concerning Hawaii <br /> Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) (PL-REZ-2024-000066). I am a member <br /> of a working group called `Homes for Waimea,` we support affordable housing solutions <br /> aligned with our community values and located in the greater Waimea area. I believe HICDC <br /> has a successful trackrecord and diligent work ethic in production of affordable housing in <br /> Hawaii, especially utilising the self-help model. I support this projects request for zoning <br /> change, state land use amendment and application for a PUD. This project is the most near- <br /> term of the projects in the pipeline in our community, and we hope the commission takes this <br /> into consideration given the need for affordable housing continues to increase. Much of the <br /> affordable housing development on Hawaii Island is located in Waikoloa Village, Kona and the <br /> East side of the island. Waimea`s need is no greater than other communities, but with limited <br /> access to homeownership for those most in need, the fabric of our community suffers. The <br /> outmigration of Waimea`s residents due to lack of affordable housing has a huge effect on our <br /> community(schools, hospitals, businesses etc.,) and to be frank morale is low. Homeownership <br /> provides much needed stability and the self-help model fosters the growth of a community and <br /> neighborhood beyond just the house. This could not be a more needed and timely project. <br /> Additionally, I am a member of Waimea Trails and Greenways—we have advocated for Ke Ala <br /> Kahawai o Waimea (The Streamside Trail of Waimea) since 1994. We would like to see the Trail <br /> be extended from Waimea down to the Kohala Coast to link up to Ke Ala Kahakai (shoreline <br /> trail) in the vicinity where Wai`ula`ula Stream meets the coastline. <br /> Because this is a stream side trail and the streams from Waimea run through the land that <br /> HICDC is proposing to develop, we would like to insure that land would be available for this <br /> County trail to extend to the coast following the stream. We would like to have a public access <br /> plan requirement imposed for subdivision approval acknowledging and providing for the <br /> extension of the trail. Through the years it has been made available to our community, the <br /> stream trail has offered many benefits that would support those in the proposed HICDC PUD <br /> and surrounding neighborhoods. To name a few: a gathering place with fellow community <br /> members, access to a public trail (less than .02% of Waimea`s land is public, and Ke Ala <br /> Kahawai O Waimea is one of only 2 public trails in Waimea,) introduction to native plants (the <br /> trail is lined with plantings,) honoring of our history as our trail weaves along many historic trails <br /> which run through this land ma uka to makai, along with connection to the stream a natural <br /> resource. The trail is also maintained by volunteers which continues to connect our community <br /> members to one another in a healthy environment through shared stewardship. <br /> Mahalo, <br /> Whitney Harvey whitneyharvey2@me.com 808-854-7988 <br />