HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-04 Anonymous testimonyFrom: Michelle Melendez
To: WPCtestimonv; LPCtestimonv;Council Testimony; Kimball. Heather; Kaaiwada.Jennifer;Onishi. Dennis;
Kierkiewicz.Ashley; Kanealii-Kleinfelder. Matt;Villeaas. Rebecca;Galimba. Michelle M.; Inaba. Holeka; Hustace.
James;cohmavor(abhawaiicountv.aov
Subject: Biz Professional Opposes GP 2045(he wishes to remain anonymous)
Date:Tuesday, February 4, 2025 12:53:04 PM
Attachments: Oppositioin Possiton to GP 2045.pdf
Aloha Planning Commissioners, County Council and Mayor,
I received the attached pdf from a prominent business owner here on Big Island who wishes to
remain anonymous.
He told me to do what I'd like with his comments so I'm sending them to all of you.
We the people require the Planning Commissioners to NOT recommend the Hawaii GP 2045
go through.
Mahalo,
Michelle Melendez-Freedom Activist
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
Order your copy of End Dieting Hell Click Here
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Here's an opposition position to the General Plan 2045, challenging its feasibility,priorities,and potential consequences.
Opposition Position to the General Plan 2045
While the General Plan 2045 sets ambitious goals for sustainability,economic growth,and infrastructure development,
there are critical flaws in its approach that could hinder its success. The plan lacks feasibility,overestimates resource
availability,and places undue burdens on taxpayers and rural communities.
1.Unrealistic Transportation Goals
The plan prioritizes multi-modal transit and emerging technologies while neglecting practical infrastructure needs:
Mass Transit Limitations: Expanding public transportation is idealistic,but given the low
population density,mass transit will remain underutilized and costly.
Neglect of Rural Needs: Vision Zero and Complete Streets focus on urban centers,but rural roads
remain deteriorating without sufficient funding.
Autonomous Vehicles& Smart Roads: Investing in future technology is premature when basic
road maintenance remains underfunded.
2.Housing Policies Worsen Affordability
The plan's zoning changes and affordable housing policies may exacerbate the housing crisis rather than
solve it:
Urban Growth Boundaries Increase Prices: Restricting land use in rural areas artificially inflates
property values,making housing even less affordable.
Overcrowding Solutions Overlook Economic Realities: Policies ignore that overcrowding results
from low wages and high living costs,not just housing shortages.
Regulatory Burdens on Developers: Strict zoning and sustainability mandates deter private
investment,reducing housing supply and increasing costs.
3. Infrastructure and Utility Investments Are Unfunded and Impractical
The plan assumes major infrastructure expansions without realistic funding mechanisms:
Green Infrastructure &Energy Transition: Renewable energy projects are costly,and residents
will bear the financial burden of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Broadband Expansion: While beneficial,the cost of rural broadband investment is unsustainable
without private sector buy-in.
Water Conservation Mandates: Restrictions and green infrastructure initiatives may increase costs
for consumers without clear efficiency benefits.
4. Economic Development Overlooks Local Challenges
The plan assumes economic diversification will reduce reliance on tourism but fails to address key
barriers:
Workforce Shortages in Tech&Healthcare: While the plan emphasizes education and business
services,Hawaii struggles to retain talent due to the high cost of living.
Tourism Mismanagement: Reducing tourism's footprint is economically dangerous,as it remains
Hawai`i's largest industry.Balancing conservation and tourism is unrealistic without clear
incentives.
Agricultural Growth Is Not Feasible at Scale: Farming expansion requires land,water,and
workforce,all of which are limited.Dependence on imports will persist.
5. Climate Resilience Efforts Are Costly and Overreaching
Climate change policies in the plan impose expensive regulations without clear economic benefits:
Sea Level Rise Restrictions Hurt Property Owners: Over-regulating coastal development
diminishes property rights and land values.
Renewable Energy Transition Increases Costs: Shifting rapidly to renewables raises electricity
prices and risks reliability issues.
Disaster Preparedness Funding Is Unclear: Climate adaptation measures require significant public
spending without clearly defined funding sources.
Conclusion: A More Balanced Approach Needed
The General Plan 2045 prioritizes idealistic goals over practical solutions. A more balanced approach
should:
1. Focus on essential infrastructure first,ensuring roads,utilities,and housing affordability before
investing in speculative technology.
2. Encourage private-sector solutions rather than increasing government intervention in housing and
economic development.
3. Make climate policies cost-effective,ensuring that taxpayers are not burdened by aggressive
renewable energy mandates.
While the plan's vision is commendable,its execution threatens affordability,economic stability,and individual property
rights.A more pragmatic approach is necessary to ensure growth without overregulation and excessive public spending.