HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-18 Whitney Harvey November 18, 2024
Re: LPC Special Meeting 11/21/24 (HICDC)
Aloha Commissioners,
My name is Whitney Harvey, I was raised in Waimea and my partner, son and I live in the
Lalamilo area. I am writing to comment on items 4, 5 & 6 in New Business concerning Hawaii
Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) (PL-REZ-2024-000066). I am a member
of a working group called `Homes for Waimea,` we support affordable housing solutions
aligned with our community values and located in the greater Waimea area. I believe HICDC
has a successful trackrecord and diligent work ethic in production of affordable housing in
Hawaii, especially utilising the self-help model. I support this projects request for zoning
change, state land use amendment and application for a PUD. This project is the most near-
term of the projects in the pipeline in our community, and we hope the commission takes this
into consideration given the need for affordable housing continues to increase. Much of the
affordable housing development on Hawaii Island is located in Waikoloa Village, Kona and the
East side of the island. Waimea`s need is no greater than other communities, but with limited
access to homeownership for those most in need, the fabric of our community suffers. The
outmigration of Waimea`s residents due to lack of affordable housing has a huge effect on our
community(schools, hospitals, businesses etc.,) and to be frank morale is low. Homeownership
provides much needed stability and the self-help model fosters the growth of a community and
neighborhood beyond just the house. This could not be a more needed and timely project.
Additionally, I am a member of Waimea Trails and Greenways—we have advocated for Ke Ala
Kahawai o Waimea (The Streamside Trail of Waimea) since 1994. We would like to see the Trail
be extended from Waimea down to the Kohala Coast to link up to Ke Ala Kahakai (shoreline
trail) in the vicinity where Wai`ula`ula Stream meets the coastline.
Because this is a stream side trail and the streams from Waimea run through the land that
HICDC is proposing to develop, we would like to insure that land would be available for this
County trail to extend to the coast following the stream. We would like to have a public access
plan requirement imposed for subdivision approval acknowledging and providing for the
extension of the trail. Through the years it has been made available to our community, the
stream trail has offered many benefits that would support those in the proposed HICDC PUD
and surrounding neighborhoods. To name a few: a gathering place with fellow community
members, access to a public trail (less than .02% of Waimea`s land is public, and Ke Ala
Kahawai O Waimea is one of only 2 public trails in Waimea,) introduction to native plants (the
trail is lined with plantings,) honoring of our history as our trail weaves along many historic trails
which run through this land ma uka to makai, along with connection to the stream a natural
resource. The trail is also maintained by volunteers which continues to connect our community
members to one another in a healthy environment through shared stewardship.
Mahalo,
Whitney Harvey whitneyharvey2@me.com 808-854-7988