HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-20 Michelle MelendezFrom:Michelle Melendez
To:LPCtestimony; WPCtestimony
Subject:Testimony for General Plan (Plz do not let it go through the way it is!)
Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 3:32:02 PM
Aloha Commissioners,
This may be the first time you're able to look at the Big Island General Plan 2045 and it is DEEPLYconcerning something like this is being considered.
Here are some concerns: 1. The word "Stakeholder," defined in the plan, is written 86 times and literally means anyone in theentire world can have input on this plan.Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities”. Local Communities arelocal Big Island farmers, homeowners, renters, organizations, businesses, and individuals who live onBig Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions, oractivities in the general plan. Effective local community engagement and management are crucial for thesuccess and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests areconsidered. 2. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions tounelected officials. This is NOT okay! This department should not be created. This is on page 188, 40.8. 3. The Planning Department has sent out letters too many homeowners telling them their land use willbe changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower theirproperty value and opens the door to rezone the area. This is not pono. It breaks the Aloha Spirit law §5-7.5. To reduce someone's property value is not okay. This must be made pono again. 4. There is a huge section on climate change and things that will be affected. This needs to be furtherresearched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdfshowing the scientist and what country they are from. https://clintel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.pdf John Coleman, the first weather man for Good MorningAmerica and the Founder of the Weather Channel has gone on CNN and other media outlets stating,"There is no climate danger". He explain the reason for this narrative is the investors, in renewableenergy, want to make these changes. 5. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan moveforward without that? Hilo is 22% of the island. 6. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats" reads, "Incentivize private landmanagement practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate, pursuethe acquisition of lands for the protection of natural resources." "Incentives" mean more taxes."Protection" means more rules. Who's "values" is this plan referring too because it's not the locals?"Pursue the acquisition of lands" does this say they are going to pursing taking people's privateproperty? Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focused on people growingmore food and it is doing the exact opposite! 7. This plan wants to turn land into "conservation". The exact opposite is what is needed for Big Island!We need to turn land into Ag Villages and grow more food! Steve Shropshire, a resident of Papaikou,has created an Ag Villages plan. Ag Village to add to the General Plan: Papaikou Ag Village Objectives: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_2cb1cc6d604f4cdd971ad40831c745bc.pdf Papaikou SitePlan: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579aff00d.pdf Papaikou Development:
https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_c2af52c8b3c645b1a6868a724eee8304.pdf A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You cansee it in the pdf below:PartOne: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_0a1d5be8f1d140069415f7b691725786.pdfPart Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498ba192d4a7689ebf31c3681c2ec.pdfHere is a longer revised version of the plan from locals: https://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fc0c_b34739e4c99c461685de4c0207bf286e.pdfThe way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Please do not let it go throughthe way it currently is written.
Mahalo,
Michelle Melendez-
Fitness and Wellness Expert Since 1996
Author Of The Best Selling and 4x Award Winning Book,
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