HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-20 Michelle MelendezFrom: Michelle Melendez
To: LPCtestimonv;WPCtestimonv
Subject: Testimony for General Plan(Piz do not let it go through the way it is!)
Date: Wednesday,November 20,2024 3:31:44 PM
Aloha Commissioners,
This may be the first time you're able to look at the Big Island General Plan 2045 and it is DEEPLY
concerning 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 the
entire world can have input on this plan.
Please recommend Stakeholder change to the following: "Local Communities". Local Communities are
local Big Island farmers,homeowners,renters,organizations,businesses, and individuals who live on
Big Island or have property on Big Island that will be personally affected by projects, decisions,or
activities in the general plan. Effective local community engagement and management are crucial for the
success and sustainability of any initiative, as it helps ensure that diverse perspectives and interests are
considered.
2. The OSCER Department in the plan will null and void all public input and leave decisions to
unelected 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 will
be changed from resident to recreation due to the General Plan 2045. This will drastically lower their
property 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 further
researched. There are over 1900 credentialed scientist that say there is no climate danger. Here is the pdf
showing the scientist and what country they are from. hUs://clintel.org/wl2-
content/uploads/2024/10/WCD-241023.12df John Coleman,the first weather man for Good Morning
America 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 renewable
energy,want to make these changes.
5. Hilo does not have a Community Development Plan. How can a Big Island General Plan move
forward without that?Hilo is 22%of the island.
6. 1.13 under "Increase the biodiversity and resilience of native habitats"reads, Uncentivize private land
management practices that protect and enhance natural resource values and, when appropriate,pursue
the acquisition of lands for the protection ofnatural 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 private
property?Again with "protection of natural resources". This plan should be focused on people growing
more 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:
hops://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fcOc_2cb l cc6d604f4cdd971 ad40831 c745bc.42df
Papaikou Site
Plan: hops://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/_files/ugd/86fcOc_5e4cdb02efeb46a5ae949a3579affOOd.pdf
Papaikou Development:
hUs://www.standtogetherhawall.com/_files/ugd/86fcOc_c2af52c8b3c645b I a6868a724eee8304.pdf
A Hawaiian born Kanaka revised the Collaborative Biocultural Stewardship that is in the plan. You can
see it in the pdf below:
Part
One: hUs://www.standtogetherhawall.com/_files/ugd/86fcOc_Oald5be8fldl4OO69415f7b691725786.pdf
Part Two: https://86fc0cbd-8207-4076-85fa-
5a62e4e933b4.usrfiles.com/ugd/86fc0c_ecc498bal92d4a7689ebf3 lc3681 c2ec.pdf
Here is a longer revised version ofthe plan from locals:
hUs://www.standtogetherhawaii.com/ files/ugd/86fc0c b34739e4c99c461685de4cO207bf286e.pdf
The way this plan is written is very far from what will support our island. Please do not let it go through
the way it currently is written.
Mahalo,
Michelle Mclendez-
Fitness and Wellness Expert Since 1996
Author Of The Best Selling and 4x Award Winning Book,
End Dieting Hell:How to find peace in your body and release the weight
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