HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-21 Maile Lu'uwai TestimonyFrom: Maile Luuwai
To: LPCtestimonv
Cc: Nako"o
Subject: LPC Nov 21 Testimony-County of Hawaii General Plan 2045
Date:Thursday,November 21,2024 12:07:48 PM
Attachments: Leeward Plannina Commission Nov 21 Testimony-Luuwai.odf
Aloha—
Please add my late testimony to the documents for the referenced meeting.
Mahalo,
Maile Lu'uwai
November 21, 2024
County of Hawai'i
Leeward Planning Commission
101 Pauahi Street
Hilo, Hawaii, 96720
RE: TESTIMONY FOR NOV. 21 SPECIAL MEETING-County of Hawai'i General Plan 2045
Aloha Chair DeFranco and Commission Members,
My name is Maile Lu'uwai. I am the President of the Keaukaha Pana'ewa Farmers Association. Our association
represents Hawaiian homestead agricultural lessees in an area comprised of 1,615 acres in the heart of
Pana'ewa, Hilo. Railroad Avenue cuts through the middle of our community.
I provided public comments on the County of Hawai'i General Plan 2045 as did many community members.
Kali Watson,the Chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission also provided comments on the General Plan in a
letter dated February 28, 2024 that was sent to Planning Director Zendo Kern.
I am asking the Commission to make four recommendations regarding the General Plan that were included in
Chair Watson's letter to Director Kern:
1. Include the 2002 Memorandum of Understanding between DHHL and the County in the General Plan
as appendices or in a separate section of the plan.
2. Include the 2022 DHHL General Plan Update in the General Plan as an appendices or in a separate
section of the plan.
3. Include in the General Plan specific policies that articulate that DHHL Plans are the authority on land
use to guide land uses and projects on Hawaiian Home Lands and adjacent to Hawaiian Home Lands
4. Remove all proposed roadways through Hawaiian Homes Lands from the General Plan. The County has
no authority to propose roadways over Hawaiian Home lands. I also specifically ask that the proposed
roadway that runs from Pahoa to Railroad Avenue through Pana'ewa be removed. Our community and
the Chair Watson has provided testimony to the County Council against a connector road from Paha to
Railroad Avenue. Hawaiian Home Lands owns the land under Railroad Avenue in Pana'ewa.
Your inclusion of the foregoing in your recommendations are appreciated.
Mahalo,
Maile Lu'uwai
President
Keaukaha Pana'ewa Farmers Association
PO Box 6844
Hilo, HI 96720